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JD National Program

The National Program is an accelerated eight-month program for graduates of Canadian civil law programs who wish to pursue studies in common law. Offered by the Common Law Section of the Faculty of Law, the program leads to a Juris Doctor (JD — National Program).

The program provides an intensive introduction to the common law tradition while building on your existing knowledge of Canadian law. The bilingual curriculum lets you study in both of Canada’s official languages and develop a comparative understanding of the country’s two legal traditions.

You must have completed a civil law degree at a Canadian university or be completing a civil law degree in the same year you apply. A high level of proficiency in both French and English is required.

Why choose this program

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The National Program offers civil law graduates a focused, integrated pathway to a common law education.

Established in 1972, the program has a longstanding role in Canadian bilingual and bijural legal education. Unlike programs that integrate civil law graduates into a regular first-year JD cohort, the National Program offers a dedicated curriculum designed specifically for students who already have a foundation in civil law.

Core subjects such as contracts, torts and property are adapted to build on your prior legal education and encourage comparative analysis between civil and common law. You also take elective courses alongside upper-year JD students, providing opportunities to explore areas of interest within the broader common law curriculum.

The program is taught by faculty members who also teach in the Common Law Section’s three-year JD program. You benefit from access to the Faculty’s diverse courses offered in English and French.

To apply, you must have passed all the following uOttawa courses (or their equivalents):

  • DRC1514: Droit des obligations I 
  • DRC1707: Droit pénal I 
  • DRC2508: Droit administratif 
  • DRC2509: Droits et libertés 
  • DRC2501: Droit de l'entreprise I 
  • DRC1503: Droit, histoire et société 
  • DRC1705: Droit constitutionnel I 

Admission requirements (undergraduate)

To be eligible, you must:

  • Hold a civil law degree from a Canadian university or be completing a civil law degree in the year you apply.
  • Have a minimum B average (6.0/10 on the University of Ottawa scale).
  • Have completed the required foundational civil law courses.
  • Submit a personal statement, curriculum vitae and two letters of reference from civil law professors.
  • Demonstrate sufficient proficiency in both French and English to participate in the bilingual program.

You don’t need to submit LSAT results for admission to the National Program. Applications are assessed based on academic performance, completion of required civil law courses, references, your personal statement and non-academic experience.

If you’re applying from the University of Ottawa Civil Law Section, apply through our uoZone student portal. 

If you’re applying from another Canadian civil law programs, apply through the Ontario Law School Application Service (OLSAS).

How to apply to the Faculty of Law, Common Law Section

Why choose uOttawa Common Law

Study at the world’s largest English French bilingual university, located in the heart of the nation's capital. At uOttawa Common Law, we’re educating tomorrow’s leaders in law and society. You’ll benefit from exceptional professors, hands-on learning opportunities, strong connections to government, courts and legal organizations, and a vibrant student community. Gain the knowledge, practical experience and professional network to prepare for diverse careers in law and beyond.

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Common Law admissions

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

Email: [email protected]

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