First Year Program

Our compulsory curriculum covers all the fundamental subjects, including training in legal research, legal writing and oral advocacy. Students complete courses in:

• Constitutional Law
• Contracts
• Criminal Law
• Property
• Public Law
• Torts
• Introduction to Legal Research

In 2009-10, this curriculum is under review and subject to change.

Small Sections

Each first-year student is assigned to a small section of about 28 students led by a full-time professor. Students complete all first-year courses with their small section classmates; one course with just their section, and the other courses with two small sections combined. This system creates a supportive, interactive and collegial learning environment.The compulsory fundamental curriculum includes completion of courses in:

Legal Foundations Program

Our Legal Foundations Program provides academic orientation, information and practical strategies to facilitate a successful transition to law school and the legal profession. In this program, first-year students attend plenary sessions on a variety of topics, including:

• essential themes ranging from the history of the common law, theoretical legal perspectives, equality and diversity, professional ethics and responsibility;
• practical matters such as academic integrity policies, work/life balance in the legal profession, preparing for examinations, coping with law school stresses, and
• orientation to programs, services and resources that we offer to law students through the Office of the Assistant Dean (Student Services), the Education Equity Office, Academic Assistance Program and Career Services Office

For further details, see http://law.queensu.ca/students/jdProgram/firstYear/firstYearLegalFoundationsProgram.html.

Lecture Series and Conferences

Leading legal scholars visit Queen’s Law to participate in three lecture series organized to augment the curriculum:

Visiting Scholars

Each year, the Faculty’s Visitors Committee hosts an outstanding array of renowned international authorities to address a broad range of topical issues.
For further details, see http://law.queensu.ca/events/lectureshipsVisitorships.html.

Osler, Hoskin and Harcourt LLP Distinguished Lectures in Business Law

Osler, Hoskin and Harcourt LLP, brings world-class scholars and practitioners to engage students and faculty in discussions on contemporary business law topics.
For further details, see http://law.queensu.ca/events/oslerDistinguishedLecturesInBusinessLaw.html.

International Speakers Series

Launched in 2008-09, this lecture series brings diplomats, activists, practitioners and academics to Queen’s Law to discuss current topical issues in international law.
For further details, see http://law.queensu.ca/events/internationalSpeakersSeries.html.

Conferences

Students also have the opportunity to enrich their education by attending conferences and panels hosted by Queen’s Law.  Experts are brought together to discuss and debate current issues on a wide variety of topics.
For further details, see http://law.queensu.ca/events.html.