Studying public Law
The Faculty of Law (Common Law Section) has introduced a Public Law Option for students enrolled in the JD program. Our Faculty is home to nationally and internationally recognized public law scholars. We offer a rich array of courses in public law and many of our graduates go on to work as public law lawyers.
The concentration allows students to deepen their knowledge of Indigenous law, a central part of Canadian public law; to gain practical experience in public law through an internship or similar program; and to expand their knowledge of public law into more specialized areas.
Requirements
The Option requirements are as follows:
Students must complete a minimum of 18 units in public law, including:
a course in Aboriginal law (3 units);
an applied course in public law (3 units); and
an additional twelve units in public law drawn from an approved list of courses available on the Option website.
Students must complete 18 units in addition to the 12 mandatory units in public law in which all JD students are required to enroll: CML 1104 Public Law and Legislation; CML 1213 Constitutional Law I; CML 2312 Administrative Law; and CML 2313 Constitutional Law II.
Students must complete their major paper in either an approved public law course (see the list on the Option’s web site) or in a directed research course on public law.
Students must receive a minimum overall average of 6.0 in their Option courses. This average is calculated by using the results of the courses described in 1(a) and (b) and in the best optional courses.
Students who complete the Option in French must complete the courses described in 1(a) and (b) in French.
Registering
Registering for the Public Law Option once you have completed the requirements
JD students who wish to receive formal recognition of an Option in Public Law must complete 18 credits in the field of public law. (See requirements).
Once the required units have been achieved, students should obtain the registration form.
Students must complete the form to identify which qualifying courses they have completed and to identify their Major Paper.
The form must then be signed by the Public Law Option Coordinator, and returned to Common Law Student Centre for processing.
