Case Study
Nova Scotia’s COVID-Era Courthouse Became a Model for Modern Justice
- Client: Courthouse, Nova Scotia
- Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
- Space: 22,000 sq ft
- Operational in Under 3 Months
The Challenge
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, Nova Scotia faced an urgent question: how to keep the justice system operating when traditional, in-person court proceedings posed serious health risks. Courthouses are designed around proximity, from jury boxes to testimony, making physical distancing nearly impossible. Rather than pause jury trials or rely on temporary virtual fixes, the Province authorized construction of a new 22,000 square foot criminal jury courthouse in Dartmouth. The facility needed to support safe in-person proceedings, enable hybrid participation, remain accessible to all, and be operational within a matter of months—all while serving as a long-term model for modernization.
The Solution
Backman Vidcom was engaged as audiovisual integration partner from the earliest planning stages. Working alongside architects, engineers, and justice officials, we helped design a courthouse where technology was foundational, not an afterthought. The facility was equipped with secure hybrid video conferencing, integrated court recording systems, large-format evidence displays, distributed audio, assistive listening tools, and touchless interfaces. Every system was standardized for scalability, allowing the model to be replicated across other provincial courts. Despite an aggressive timeline, the courthouse was fully constructed, outfitted, and operational in under three months, with each courtroom installation completed in just days.
The Results
What began as a crisis response is now the provincial standard. More than 20 courtrooms across Nova Scotia have adopted the same hybrid-capable design. Judges, clerks, and participants benefit from consistent workflows, remote access is reliable and fair, and public transparency has been preserved. By acting decisively, Nova Scotia created not only a safe courtroom in a time of crisis but a sustainable model for justice in the modern era.
