The coordination mode of the title ligand, HL4Me (synthesized and characterized by mass, IR and 1 H NMR spectral parameters) is reported by solid-state isolation and physicochemical identification of a few bis complexes of nickel(II) with different counterions. Magnetic and electronic spectral features classify the reported species, [Ni(HL4Me) 2 ]X 2 · 2H 2 O, as six-coordinate, pseudo-octahedral with appreciable tetragonal distortion. Vibrational spectral data have indicated a neutral tridentate (NNS) function of HL4Methrough the pyrazolyl (tertiary) ring nitrogen, azomethine nitrogen and thiocarbonyl sulphur. X-ray crystallographic studies of [Ni(HL4Me) 2 ](NO 3 ) 2 · 2H 2 O (triclinic, P1̄) has unambiguously proved the distorted octahedral environment of the nickel(II) ion; the ligand molecules are trans coordinated to the central nickel(II) ion.