A no-contact condition is only one type of criminal justice restriction. The source of the condition matters because the process for changing it, the decision-maker with authority and the consequences of breach depend on the document or order.
Primary legislation and official process sources checked October 5, 2026. Criminal law and court procedure can change; verify the current source before relying on a provision or deadline.
Police undertakings
An undertaking can impose conditions after police release, subject to the Code's limits and variation mechanisms.
- communication
- places
- victim or witness
Release orders
A justice can impose conditions as part of judicial interim release where authorized and justified.
- necessary condition
- no-contact
- geographic restriction
Probation and peace bonds
Similar-looking restrictions can arise after sentence or through preventive recognizance proceedings.
- probation
- peace bond
- different legal source
Direct and indirect contact
Orders can prohibit contact directly or indirectly, which can include communication through third parties depending on wording.
- messages
- social media
- third parties
Changing a condition
A protected person ordinarily cannot unilaterally cancel a court or police condition. The lawful variation route depends on the source of the condition.
- consent variation
- court application
- legal advice
Official and authoritative sources
- Justice Canada — Criminal Code
- Nova Scotia Legal Aid — Criminal Law Resources
- Courts of Nova Scotia — Supreme Court forms