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The Common Law Section’s 2023-2025 Biennial Research Report is now available in a dynamic new online format designed to make it easier than ever to explore the depth, diversity, and real-world impact of our research.

In January 2026, Professor Emeritus Richard Moon, one of Canada’s most respected voices on freedom of expression and freedom of religion, will join the Common Law Section to teach an intensive three-week course, Freedom of Expression & Religion (CML4114 JB).

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, announced the appointment of Lorne D. Lachance, LLB ’91, to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in New Westminster.

Once again, the University of Ottawa has confirmed its stellar reputation for research, placing within the top five research-intensive universities in Canada according to Research Infosource Inc.

Costco has joined a lawsuit by companies suing the U.S. government to ensure it will receive refunds if the Supreme Court rejects President Donald Trump’s authority to impose tariffs.

Driven by a strong interest in public and constitutional law, Sarah Gagnon, a doctoral student at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law, explores how the Governor General might help prevent executive abuse of power, and how unwritten constitutional principles can justify such interventions in a time of democratic decline.

In a simulated meeting of the UN Security Council, convened on 17 November 2025, 9 Common Law students adopted a resolution calling upon the Russian Federation and Ukraine to immediately stop fighting and start negotiations.

As synthetic content generated by artificial intelligence increasingly appears before the courts, Professor Karen Eltis, from the Civil Law Section, is joining a research team at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) that will develop a specialized tool to detect it.

The Common Law Section is proud to announce that Professor Constance Backhouse has been elected an Honorary Fellow of the American Society for Legal History – one of the most prestigious recognitions in the field.

Curiosity and creativity: for PhD candidate Christiana Sagay, these two qualities have shaped not only her path to the University of Ottawa but also her approach to life and scholarship.