Preliminary Teleconference in Nova Scotia Small Claims Court

When you file your claim, the court gives you a date for a "preliminary teleconference" before the hearing. If you have never been through the small claims process before, this step can feel unexpected. Here is what it is, what happens during the call, and how to prepare.

What a Preliminary Teleconference Is

A preliminary teleconference is a phone call arranged by the court between the adjudicator and both parties (the claimant and the defendant). It takes place before the hearing.

What Happens During the Call

The adjudicator runs the teleconference. The typical agenda covers:

Clarifying the issues. The adjudicator asks both sides to briefly state their position — what the claim is about, what the defence says, and where the disagreement actually lies. This is not the hearing. You are not presenting evidence or arguing your case. Keep it factual and concise.

Exploring settlement. The adjudicator may ask whether the parties have discussed settling and, if not, whether they are open to it. They may suggest a range or framework for resolution. If you reach an agreement, ask whether its terms can be recorded in a consent order.

Setting ground rules for the hearing. If settlement is not possible, the adjudicator may:

• Narrow the issues — agree on what is not in dispute so the hearing focuses on what is
• Set a time estimate for the hearing
• Discuss how many witnesses each side plans to call
• Address any procedural questions (service problems, document requests, adjournment requests)

Ordering document disclosure. The adjudicator may direct one or both parties to share specific documents before the hearing — bank statements, contracts, repair estimates — so there are no surprises on the day.

How to Prepare

Even though this is a phone call, not the hearing, preparation matters. The adjudicator's first impression of your case starts here.

Review the defence. Read the Form 2 carefully. Identify exactly what the defendant disputes and what they admit. Focus your teleconference remarks on the genuine disagreements.

Prepare a one-minute summary. The adjudicator will ask you to explain your claim briefly. Practice stating the facts — who, what, when, how much — in about 60 seconds. No emotional language, no legal arguments. Just the story.

Know your numbers. Be ready to state the exact amount you are claiming and how it breaks down. For example: "I am claiming $6,499.65: $5,000 for the unreturned deposit, $1,200 for the replacement contractor's estimate, the $199.35 filing fee for a claim of $5,000 or more, and $100.30 in pre-judgment interest."

Think about settlement. Before the call, decide your floor number — the minimum you would accept to settle the case today. You do not have to disclose this, but having it clear in your mind lets you respond quickly if the adjudicator floats a number.

Be somewhere quiet. Take the call from a quiet room with good reception. Speaker phones in kitchens with running dishwashers do not make a good impression.

Can You Skip It?

If you cannot attend the scheduled preliminary teleconference, contact the court registry promptly and ask what steps to take. Do not assume you can skip it without affecting the next steps in your case.

What Happens After

If you reach a settlement during the teleconference, the adjudicator can record it as a consent order — a binding court order that is enforceable through the Sheriff if the other side does not follow through.

If no settlement is reached, the hearing proceeds on the scheduled date. The teleconference will have narrowed the issues and set expectations for both sides, which actually works in your favour — you now know exactly what the defendant will argue and can prepare your evidence accordingly.

For a complete hearing preparation system, including evidence binder organization and witness planning, the Nova Scotia Small Claims Filing Guide walks through every step from the teleconference to judgment day.

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