Queen’s Law students began the school year learning about justice in practice from the top judge on Canada’s highest court. The Right Honourable Richard Wagner, P.C., Chief Justice of Canada, participated in a fireside chat with his former judicial law clerk, Professor Preston Lim, on Sept. 9 at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts in Kingston. Part of orientation for first-year students, the discussion provided an engaging introduction to legal education and the profession.
“You are beginning your legal careers at an important moment in history,” said Chief Justice Wagner. He encouraged students to “never lose sight of the human story behind the legal issue” as they learn legal principles, precedents, and methods of reasoning. “Your legal training will enable you to protect rights, resolve disputes, and help individuals navigate some of the most stressful times in their lives,” he said. “In this sense, access to justice is one of the defining challenges of our legal system, and also one of its most important aspirations.”
With many people representing themselves in court, Lim asked what reforms could help self-represented litigants access the legal resources they need. Noting that the trend extends to the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC), where more than 30 per cent of applications for leave to appeal in 2025 were filed by self-represented litigants, Chief Justice Wagner discussed several potential solutions. These included guidelines developed for them by the Canadian Judicial Council (CJC) and available through both the CJC and SCC websites, ensuring adequate legal aid funding, and encouraging lawyers to provide pro bono services where possible.
Chief Justice Wagner noted that law students can also play an important role in advancing access to justice. Drawing on a visit to a legal clinic staffed in part by law student volunteers, he highlighted the value of experiential learning and pro bono service.
“Access to justice begins now,” he said. “It is ultimately about people. It is about ensuring that individuals can navigate difficult moments with dignity and support.”
Recalling a belief he has held throughout his career, he added: “The law is here for everyone, not just those who can afford it.”
He encouraged students to seek hands-on experiences through clinics, volunteer organizations, and community initiatives that allow them to develop practical skills while serving their communities. “The law is not simply something you study,” he said. “It is a public service.”
During the discussion, Chief Justice Wagner also addressed questions about artificial intelligence, the Jordan framework, the Supreme Court’s role as a bi-jural institution, and the Court’s efforts to make its work more accessible through initiatives such as Cases in Brief and hearings held in communities across Canada.
Reminding students of the Queen’s Law motto, “Let Right Be Done,” Chief Justice Wagner left them with a challenge: “Let your motto be your guide. Wherever your career takes you, ask yourself a simple question. How can I do justice? If you do this consistently, you will not only become a better lawyer; you will be happier too. Because you will have made a difference.”
Professor Preston Lim is also launching a Judges’ Speaker Series, which will bring judges to Queen’s Law for discussions with students and faculty. Lim will host and moderate the conversations.
By Lisa Graham
