Legal services in Iqaluit, Nunavut
Practical legal guidance from a practice that works in Nunavut every day. We act for individuals and for businesses, and because our tax, bookkeeping and IT teams sit in the same office, matters that cross disciplines do not get handed off to strangers.
Litigation
When a dispute cannot be resolved by agreement, we advise on the merits before anyone commits to a fight. Most matters in the territory are heard by the Nunavut Court of Justice, and we prepare accordingly — from the first demand letter through pleadings, negotiation and, where it is warranted, hearing. We will tell you plainly when settling serves you better than proceeding.
Wills & estates
A will keeps decisions about your property and your children with you rather than with a statutory formula. We draft wills, powers of attorney and personal directives, and we act for executors administering an estate — collecting assets, settling debts and distributing what remains. Estates that include land, a business interest or assets outside the territory need particular care, and we will say so before you sign.
Real estate
Property in Nunavut does not work the way it does in the south. Much of it is held under lease rather than freehold, and the terms of that lease shape what you can build, sell or borrow against. We review agreements of purchase and sale, handle transfers and financing, and make sure you understand exactly what interest you are acquiring before closing.
Notarial & legal documents
Affidavits, statutory declarations, commissioning, consents and certified copies — routine until the day one is missing and a transaction stalls. We prepare and execute these properly the first time, and we can usually accommodate short notice.
Corporate law
Incorporation, shareholder and partnership agreements, commercial contracts, and the annual filings that keep a company in good standing. For Nunavut businesses we also advise on the requirements that come with public sector contracting in the territory. Because we file the same company's taxes and keep its books, the corporate structure we recommend is one that actually works come year end.
Common questions
Do you serve communities outside Iqaluit?
Yes. We act for clients across Nunavut. Much of the work — advice, drafting, corporate filings — is handled by phone, email and video, and we arrange travel or scheduled availability when a matter genuinely requires meeting in person.
Can I get legal services in Inuktitut?
Yes. We work in English and French directly, and we arrange Inuktitut interpretation for meetings on request. Tell us when you book and we will have an interpreter present rather than making you ask again on the day.
How much does a will cost?
It depends on how complicated your situation is — a straightforward will is a fixed, modest fee, while an estate involving land, a business interest or beneficiaries outside the territory takes more work. We quote before we start, not after.
Do I need a lawyer to buy property in Nunavut?
Effectively, yes. Most property here is held under lease rather than freehold, and the terms of that lease determine what you can build, sell or borrow against. Reviewing that before you commit is considerably cheaper than discovering the restriction afterwards.
Talk to us before the problem hardens
Most legal trouble is cheaper to prevent than to repair. A short conversation early is usually enough to tell you whether you need a lawyer at all — and we will say so if you do not.