That question lies at the heart of the Supreme Court of Canada's landmark Vavilov decision, which fundamentally reshaped Canadian administrative law by establishing a new framework for judicial review. In A Culture of Justification: Vavilov and the Future of Administrative Law (UBC Press, 2023), Professor Paul Daly examines the origins, significance, and future of this landmark ruling. The book has now been awarded Second Prize in the 2025 Walter Owen Book Prize competition, presented by the Canadian Foundation for Legal Research.
A Culture of Justification explores how Canadian administrative law has evolved over decades of uncertainty surrounding judicial review, why previous reform efforts fell short, and how the Vavilov decision established a more coherent framework for reviewing administrative decision-making. Professor Daly's scholarship has played an influential role in shaping this area of law. His research leading up to the Vavilov decision brought together scholars, judges, and practitioners in a sustained critique of the existing approach to judicial review, and his work was cited extensively by the Supreme Court in its landmark judgment. In A Culture of Justification, he builds on that foundation, combining detailed doctrinal analysis with a broader theoretical framework that seeks to ensure Canadian administrative law remains principled, coherent, and capable of adapting to future challenges.
As holder of the University of Ottawa Research Chair in Administrative Law and Governance, Professor Daly has established an international reputation for scholarship that bridges legal theory and practice. His research has helped shape understanding of how administrative agencies exercise public power across areas ranging from economic regulation to social policy and public services.
Established in 1988, the Walter Owen Book Prize commemorates Walter Owen, O.C., K.C., a distinguished Canadian lawyer, former Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, past President of the Canadian Bar Association, and the founding President of the Canadian Foundation for Legal Research. Awarded biennially in alternating English and French competitions, the prize honours books that demonstrate exceptional scholarly merit while making a lasting contribution to legal research and practice in Canada.
Congratulations to Professor Daly on this outstanding achievement!