Word from the Dean

Kristen Boon

We know that adults learn best by doing. This is central to the idea of andragogy.

It is also why experiential learning is at the heart of our offerings in the Common Law Section. Here you can develop a strong foundation of legal knowledge in our classrooms, and, through real-world experiences, you’ll transform that knowledge into skill, judgment, and confidence.

Every year, we offer over 400 opportunities for hands-on learning: legal clinics, moot competitions, internships, fellowships, volunteer placements and more. These experiences give you the chance to practice the skills that will define your career; oral advocacy, negotiation, legal writing, casework, litigation and client relations. You’ll learn how to read a room, develop a winning strategy, and build the judgment and confidence that every lawyer needs.

You’ll also make a real difference. Our students work on urgent issues like social inequality, climate change, reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and artificial intelligence.

I participated in the international law Jessup Moot when I was in law school, and I still remember the research, the practices, and the fun.

We are a leader in experiential learning, and we continue to expand our programs to give students even more opportunities to align their passions with their career goals. Our new Director, Experiential and Clinical Learning Hub, Kelli-Anne Day, will be bringing even more in the way of new ideas and strategies to our work. Discover what's possible on our experiential learning page

Upcoming Events

October 20, 2025 | JurisDresser  Professional Attire Closet
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | BRS 435 | Drop In  | Target : All

October 21, 2025 | 4th CAFA Conference on academic freedom in the Americas 2025
10:45 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. | ZOOM | Registration required

October 22, 2025 | Shirley E. Greenberg Chair for Women and the Legal Profession Speaker Series: Kuleana, āina-based initiatives and the Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement
11:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. | FTX 351 | Event in English | Registration Required

October 22, 2025 | JurisDresser Professional Attire Closet
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | BRS 435 | Drop In  | Target : All

October 22, 2025 | Bar Admissions Information Session
11:30 a.m. - 12:50 p.m. | FTX 147 | Bilingual Event | Target : 3L | Register in The Source

October 22, 2025 | Succeeding in Government Interviews
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | FTX 137 | Bilingual Event | Register in The Source

October 22, 2025 | Citation Workshop, Ottawa Law Review
11:30 a.m. — 12:50 p.m. | FTX 359 | Event in English | Registration Required

October 23, 2025 | Student-Proposed Internship Q&A Session
11:30 a.m. - 12:50 p.m. | FTX 351 | Bilingual Event | Register in The Source

October 23, 2025 | Community Beading Circle
11:30 a.m. – 2:20 p.m. | FTX 413 | Drop-In

October 23, 2025 | 9th Annual Canadian Food Law and Policy Conference
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. | CRX Espace Innova | Bilingual Event | Registration Required

October 23, 2025 | Rethinking Innovation for Africa’s AI Age
11:30 a.m. - 12:50 p.m. | FTX 302 | Event in English | Registration Required

October 24, 2025 | 9th Annual Canadian Food Law and Policy Conference
9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | DMS 4104 | Bilingual Event | Registration Required

November 5, 2025 | RDC Sage Advice Speaker Series: Senator McCallum
11:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. | FTX 351 | Event in English| Registration Required

November 5, 2025 | Law Practice Program, pathway to the Lawyer Licensing process in Ontario
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Zoom | Bilingual Event | Registration Required

November 6, 2025 | Professionnalism Speaker Series : Practical and ethical dimensons of solo, small and freelance practice
11:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. | FTX 302 | Event in English| Registration Required

November 6, 2025 | Community Beading Circle
11:30 a.m. – 2:20 p.m. | FTX 413 | Drop-In
 

Please visit the webpage for more Upcoming Events.

Important dates and deadlines

  • Sept. 1 to Dec. 31 | Term Dates
  • Oct 27-31 | Reading Week for the Common Law Section
  • Nov. 1 | Deadline to pass the mandatory training on academic integrity
  • Nov. 17-28 | Teaching and course evaluations
  • Dec. 3 | Courses end
  • Dec. 4-17 | Exam period

Please visit the webpage for more Important dates and deadlines.

Opportunities

Academic

News

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Research and innovation

New Queen Elizabeth Scholars strengthen Open AIR’s bilingual and inclusive research mission

The Open African Innovation Research (Open AIR) network is welcoming seven new doctoral and postdoctoral scholars to its community through the Queen E…
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Professors

Professor Roojin Habibi named inaugural Director of Global Health Law Program

The Faculty of Law is proud to celebrate the leadership of Professor Roojin Habibi, who has been appointed as the inaugural Research Director of the n…
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Book launch

Professor Errol Mendes publishes 6th edition of landmark Charter text

For more than four decades, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms has shaped Canadian law and society. Now, the definitive guide to its interpre…

Quick Links

Contact us

Faculty of Law - Common Law Section

Fauteux Hall
57 Louis Pasteur St
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 6N5

Fax: 613-562-5124