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Programme de droit canadien

For more than 50 years, uOttawa’s Faculty of Law has been offering, in both official languages, complete programs in the two most widely used legal systems in the world:  common law and civil law. Beginning in September 2008, the Faculty launched a new program, the Programme de droit canadien (PDC), and allowing students to earn both a JD and an LL.L. in three years, thus opening the doors to the practice of law across Canada and abroad.  The Programme de droit canadien reflect the needs of future lawyers in Canada.  It is an innovative program that permits students to benefit from the richness of diverse Canadian legal traditions in order to better respond to changes in society.

Twenty exceptional candidates are admitted each year to the PDC.  Students spend three years, including summer course-work, at the Faculty of Law. Certain courses are designed specifically for PDC students, and most of the program is offered in French, though knowledge of English is required.

uOttawa’s Faculty of Law has long been recognized for its vast range of courses in law and technology, international law, social justice, environmental law, and Aboriginal peoples and the law. Located at the heart of the federal capital, the Faculty of Law offers students unique internship opportunities within the country’s decision-making institutions—Parliament, Supreme Court, federal departments and tribunals, and non-governmental organizations. The Faculty of Law offers candidates an enriching and stimulating education corresponding to the values of an open society and respectful of the rule of law.

What distinguishes our alumni? 

  • They are knowledgeable and understanding of the legal traditions of Canada;
  • They can work in common law and civil law jurisdictions in Canada as well as the rest of the world;
  • They have comparative analytical skills that make them an asset to the Canadian law firms who deal with international customers in an increasingly globalized market.
1st year of PDC and Dean Kristen Boon 2025
1st year of PDC and Dean Kristen Boon 2025
Students in classroom

Additional information

The admission process is the same process that applies to the French Common Law Program (PCLF) at the Faculty of Law. Applications are submitted online through the Ontario Law School Application Service (OLSAS). Candidates must clearly indicate that their application should be considered for the PDC (Programme de droit canadien). 

The admission criteria are as follows: at least three years of university study (with the exception of adult candidates), an outstanding academic record, a form of community and social engagement, the ability to follow a rigorous study program in French, some knowledge of English and favorable letters of recommendation. 

Each candidate must submit a personal statement, two letters of recommendation and official transcripts for all post-secondary education. The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is not required for admission to the PDC. 

The cumulative grade point average for admission based on academic grades is usually 80% or more. Occasionally, candidates whose weighted average is slightly below this limit may be selected for admission based on other factors such as the difficulty of the previous curriculum, previous work experience, degree of community engagement, quality of the personal statement and letters of recommendation. 

Course sequences

(Content available in French only)

ANNÉE 1 - 36 crédits (10 cours)

1st year of studies. The students of the Programme de droit canadien fall under the common law section

Automne

  • CML1701 Délits civils et responsabilité extracontractuelle I (3 crédits)
  • CML1704 Législation (3 crédits)
  • CML1705 Droit, histoire et société (3 crédits)
  • CML1707 Vérité, réconciliation et peuples autochtones (3 crédits)

Automne/Hiver

  • CML1506 Introduction à la résolution des différends (3 crédits)*
  • CML1508 Droits des biens (3 crédits)
  • CML1611 Compétences et habiletés juridiques (6 crédits)
  • CML1602 Les contrats (6 crédits)
  • CML1613 Droit constitutionnel I (3 crédits)
  • CML1702 Délits civils et responsabilité extracontractuelle II (3 crédits)

*Le cours CML1506 est offert en janvier seulement de façon intensive pendant 3 semaines.

Year 2 - in French only

(Content available in French only)

ANNÉE 2 - 39 crédits (13 cours)

The students of the Programme de droit canadien fall under the civil law section

Été

  • CML 2741 Philosophie du droit (3 crédits)
  • 3 crédits optionnels DRC ou CML

Automne

  • CML2704 Droit pénal (3 crédits)
  • DRC 4790/4390 Droit des obligations I (3 crédits)
  • DRC 4791/4391 Droit des biens (3 crédits)
  • DRC 4792/4392 Droit des personnes et de la famille (3 crédits)
  • DRC 4797 Procédure civile I (3 crédits)
  • 3 crédits optionnels DRC ou CML

Hiver

  • DRC 4795/4395 Droit des obligations III: Exécution, transfert et extinction des obligations (3 crédits)
  • DRC 4789 Droit international privé bijuridique (3 crédits)
  • DRC4798 Procédure civile II
  • CML 2713 Droit constitutionnel II (3 crédits)
  • 3 crédits optionnels DRC ou CML

Year 3 - in French only

ANNÉE 3 - 33 crédits (11 cours)

3e année d’études : The students of the Programme de droit canadien fall under the common law section

Automne/Hiver

  • CML2702 - Droit des sociétés (3 crédits)
  • CML2712 - Droit administratif (3 crédits)
  • CML3776 - Responsabilité professionnelle (3 crédits)
  • 24 crédits optionnels DRC ou CML

Student testimonials

Clementine Mattesco

Clementine Mattesco

I recommend the Programme de droit canadien (PDC) to anyone who wishes to become a well-rounded jurist who can appreciate the richness of our bijural Canadian system. During my 3 years at the PDC, I benefited from the complementary strengths of legal training in civil law and common law. My common law courses taught me from my first year of law school to handle case law and to present legal arguments with clarity and precision. My civil law courses allowed me to understand logical legal thinking and taught me how to use it to develop solid and coherent reasoning. I am convinced that these additional training courses have made me a more enlightened lawyer and better equipped to start my legal career.

Guillaume Garih

Guillaume Garih

Barrister-at-Law - Class of 2013

The Programme de droit canadien gave me the legal vocabulary required to go to trial in both official languages. In criminal law, it is essential for linguistic minorities to be defended, or prosecuted, in the official language of their choice.

PDC dinner 2025
PDC Diner 2025 in presence of many third year PDC students, the civil law dean Sophie Thériault and the PDC president Marel Katsivela

For more information