Law Colleges In Canada

Law colleges in Canada are found in almost every big city. However, in spite of the number of law schools, admission is highly competitive and tough.

You can pursue a general study of law, or seek to specialize in one of the numerous options – civil, business, common, criminal, aboriginal, family, or tax law, legal theory, women and feminism studies, intellectual property rights, dispute resolution, environment law, health law and policy, human rights, bioethics, air and space law, etc.

Admission typically depends on your grades along with performance in the LSAT (Law School Admission Test). Also the educational transcripts, statement of purpose, recommendations, and extra curricular activities. In most law schools, the courses can be undertaken after the completion of an undergraduate program in any other subject or discipline.

The study begins with the Bachelor of Law (LL.B) or Juris Doctor (JD) degree. After this, you are supposed to spend a year Articling. It is a practice where you have to work under an established lawyer who is licensed by the Provincial Bar and has an experience of at least five years. It is a form of training at low pay, under supervision and guidance. After this, you can apply for a job as a lawyer with a firm or lawyer. You can also undertake further studies. There are a number of combined degree programs also available, like law and MBA, law and technology, etc.

McGill University, Montreal

The university’s Faculty of Law was established in 1848, and offers two bachelor degree courses – Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.) and Bachelor of Law (LL.B), after graduation. Pass outs can practice in Canada, USA and UK as per the norms of the common law system, and in Quebec civil law system. It also offers Doctor of Civil Law (D.C.L.) and Master of Law (LL.M.) graduate degrees.

University of British Columbia, Vancouver

The Faculty of Law is specially known for its programs in feminist law, aboriginal law, and Pacific Rim issues. It offers LL.B or J.D. Degree, after which they can work under the Canadian legal system. There are also combined programs available – J.D. / M.A. in Asia Pacific Policy Studies and Joint J.D. / MBA degree (in collaboration with Sauder School of Business). It has another campus at Kelowna.

University of Toronto, Ontario

The University’s Faculty of Law is recognized for its courses in legal theory, corporate law, law and economics, and international law. It offers a three-year J.D. Degree in the Canadian legal system, and Master of Law (L.L.M), Doctor of Judicial Studies (S.J.D), and Masters In Studies In Law (M.S.L.) as higher education options.

University of Alberta, Edmonton

The Faculty of Law offers graduate and post graduate programs in law, with special emphasis on the legal education of the First Nations students through specialized indigenous courses.

University of Calgary, Calgary

Known for its studies in Natural Resources and Law, the Faculty of Law of this university is affiliated to institutes that promote “education, research and publication in the area of natural resources, energy and environmental law”, and the Canadian Institute of Resources Law. It offers both UG and PG courses.

University of Manitoba, Winnipeg

The Faculty of Law is recognized for its studies in Children Rights, Human Rights, Women and Feminism, Administrative Law, Criminal Law, Corporate Law, Contract Law, Family Law, International Law, Property Law, and Tort Law.

York University, Toronto

The Osgoode Hall Law School of the university was established in 1889. It boasts of the most exclusive and extensive law library in the country. Criminology is the dominant field of study here.

Dalhousie University, Halifax

The Dalhousie Law School was founded in Nova Scotia in 1883. it specializes in Law and Technology, Health Law and Policy, Marine Law and Environmental Law. It is also commended for its three research centers. At undergraduate level, it offers Bachelor of Law (LL.B), with specialization in Business, or Health Law, Law and Technology, Marine and Environmental Law. It also offers 4 joint degrees – LL.B with Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS), Master of Public Administration (MP), or Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA). And a Marine and Environmental Law Certificate Program (MELP). It has an active student exchange program. At PG level, you can opt for Master of Laws (LL.M), Master of Electronic Commerce , Family Law Program, Doctor in the Science of Law (JSD), Interdisciplinary PhD, and Strategic Training Program in Health Law and Policy. LL.M is offered with specialization in Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Business Law, Critical Race and Legal Theory, Feminist Legal Scholarship, Fisheries Law, Health Law, Human Rights Law, International Law, Labor Law, Law of the Sea, Marine and Environmental Law, and Taxation.

University of Ottawa, Ottawa

The University’s Faculty of Law offers specialization in comparative law, law and technology, international law, and human rights. It has four research institutes – Center for Trade Policy and Law, CGA Tax Research Center, Emerging Dynamic Global Economies Network, and Human Rights Research and Education Center. And houses the famous Brian Dickson Law Library. It offers at bachelor’s level LL.B, Jay Hennick LL.B – MBA, Joint LL.B/JD, LL.B Common Law, LL.B master of International Affairs, LL.B Environmental Law, LL.B International Law, LL.B Social Justice, LL.B Civil Law, and Law Technology Program.

University of Victoria, Victoria

Set up in 1974, the Faculty of Law offers LL.B degree, Concurrent LL.B / Master of Arts in Indigenous Governance, Concurrent LL.B/ MBA, Concurrent LL.B/ Master pf Public Administration, Joint Common Law/ Civil Law Degree Program at UG level. It also has Doctor of Philosophy in Law, Interdisciplinary Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution, LL.M, etc.

Others

University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, University of Windsor in Windsor, University of Western Ontario in London, University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Queen’s University in Kingston, Concordia University, Brock University, Cape Breton University, Mount Allison University, Saint Mary’s University, Trent University, Thompson Rivers University, etc.

Law colleges in Canada enable students who pass out to get appointed in legal firms, as litigators, attorneys, professors, etc.