Fauteux building exterior in winter

Dictum - 2026-09-08

Word from the Dean

Kristen Boon

Welcome to the beginning of a new academic year.   

A great law school is shaped by its people and by the kind of community they create together.

At the Common Law Section, you will study law in English and French, learn from leading researchers and practitioners, and find opportunities to grow through clinics, moots, internships, research, and community engagement. You will be encouraged to approach complex problems with curiosity, creativity and an open mind.

You will also be asked to consider the responsibilities that accompany a legal education: to act with integrity, advance access to justice, serve the public, and help build a more equitable society. This includes listening to and learning from Indigenous legal traditions, embracing innovation and the responsible use of technology, and ensuring that different experiences and perspectives are welcomed within our community.

None of this work happens alone. Law school is demanding – we prioritize our community and wellbeing. 

You have chosen a law school that will prepare you for a rapidly changing profession. We are very glad you are here, and I look forward to seeing what you will contribute and what will excite you in the years ahead.

Upcoming Events

September 9 - 10, 2026 | CDC Information Table
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | 3rd Floor Lobby, Fauteux | Bilingual Event | Drop-In

September 15, 2026 | PBSC Launch Event
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | FTX 351 | Bilingual Event | Registration in The Source

September 17, 2026 | Articling Job Search Strategy for Students in their Final Year
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | FTX 351 | Bilingual Event | Registration in The Source

September 17, 2026 | Beading Circle
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | FTX 230 | Bilingual Event | Drop-In

September 18, 2026 | 3L Career Boost
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | FTX 230 | Bilingual Event | Drop-In

Please visit the webpage for more Upcoming Events.

Important academic dates and deadlines

  • Sept. 1 to Dec. 31 | Term Dates
  • Sept. 22 | Last day to enroll and to change course selection for the Fall term
  • Sept. 22 | Last day to submit a request to register for a  Directed Research Project for the Fall term
  • Oct. 2 | Last day to pay Fall term tuition fees without late fees.
  • Oct. 9 | Last day to submit a registration form for the Major Paper Requirement for a Fall term course 
  • Oct 25-31 | Reading Week for the Common Law Section 
  • Nov 17 | Career Connections Fall 2026
  • Nov. 23- Dec. 4 | Teaching and course evaluations 
  • Dec. 9 | Courses end 
  • Dec. 10-22 | Exam period

     Please visit the webpage for more Important dates and deadlines.

Opportunities

Academic

News

Professors Michael Geist and Amy Salyzyn, logo of Canadian Lawyer
Awards and recognition

Two Common Law professors named among Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers

Professors Michael Geist and Amy Salyzyn have both been named to Canadian Lawyer’s “2026 Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada,” recognizing their…
Professor Chidi Oguamanam inset against background of UNESCO building
Technology Law, Ethics and Policy

Professor Chidi Oguamanam appointed to UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology

Professor Chidi Oguamanam has been appointed to UNESCO’s World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST), where he will…
Portrait of a female professor with a building background
Ceremonies and events

Upcoming event: Academic freedom in an era of democratic backsliding

As democratic institutions around the world face growing pressures, what role should universities play in safeguarding the free exchange of ideas?

Quick Links

Contact us

Faculty of Law - Common Law Section

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

Fax: 613-562-5124