What sets Ian apart from others in his field is his deep and thorough knowledge of an accused's rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Knowing the Charter inside and out gives Ian the tools to argue for prosecutions to be stayed or evidence to be excluded. If you are accused of a crime, you have constitutional rights and freedoms. The strength of the prosecution’s case against you often relies on whether your rights and protections were respected and upheld during your investigation, arrest, questioning, and detainment.
Ian has a decade’s worth of experience in defending Nova Scotians accused of a wide range of crimes, including assault, manslaughter and murder, drugs charges, DUI and other traffic charges, child pornography, financial crimes such as fraud and theft, and breaking and entering.
Ian’s background:
Ian has represented clients on criminal matters before the Provincial Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Appeal of Nova Scotia. For several years, he practiced alongside Josh Arnold, QC, one of Halifax’s most prominent criminal defense lawyers and now a judge on the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. Then, Ian practiced with a small boutique firm in Halifax.
Throughout this time, Ian has represented clients in some of Nova Scotia’s highest profile criminal cases and established a reputation for vigorously defending his clients’ constitutional rights.
Ian’s previous criminal defense work at a law firm in United Kingdom, where he represented clients before all levels of the British courts, gives him an additional edge. In fact, Ian was the defense lawyer in the landmark case of R. v. Llewellyn Attorney Generals Reference Numbers 3 and 4 of 2005.
Ian’s professional designations & memberships:
Ian is a member in good standing of the following organizations:
Nova Scotia Barristers Society
Nova Scotia Criminal Lawyers’ Association
Law Society of England and Wales
Canadian Bar Association
He also currently serves as the Vice President of the Criminal Section of the Canadian Bar Association, Nova Scotia Branch.
Ian’s Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION:
2007 – Dalhousie Law School
National Certificate of Accreditation
1999 – University of Glamorgan
Legal Practice Course, Pass with Distinction
Leo Abse and Cohen Legal Practice Prize
1998 – University of Glamorgan
Common Practice Examinations
1997 – University of Wales
B.A. with Honours in Geography
JURISDICTIONS ADMITTED TO PRACTICE:
Nova Scotia, Canada, 2007
England and Wales, 2001
PROFESSIONAL & BAR ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS:
2013 to present
Vice president of the Criminal Section of the Nova Scotia Canadian Barristers Association
2007 to present
The Nova Scotia Barristers Society – Barrister and Solicitor
Member of the Canadian Barristers Association
Member of Nova Scotia Criminal Lawyers Association
2001 to present
The Law Society of England and Wales – Solicitor
LEGAL SPECIALTIES AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Law Society of England and Wales, Stage One Member of the Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme
Contact info:
Tel: 1 902 818-9184
Email: ian@hutchisonlaw.ca