To recognize the 150th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada, Queen’s Law hosted Justice Malcolm Rowe on Sept. 15 for a special lecture in historic Grant Hall. Justice Rowe explored how the Court’s role has fundamentally evolved since its establishment in 1875.

Dean Colleen M. Flood emceed the event, which drew members of the Queen’s University community and the public, along with an online audience from across the country. Following the lecture, Professors Lisa Kerr and Jacob Weinrib each delivered brief observations. Kerr spoke about the changing role of interveners at the Supreme Court, touching on the impact that the Queen’s Prison Law Clinic has had as an intervener before the court. Weinrib reflected on the transformative impact of the Charter, outlining five innovations it integrates to create a system of “constitutional justice.”

Dean Flood then moderated a panel discussion and audience Q&A, where attendees posed questions to the panellists. Afterward, all guests had the opportunity to meet and speak with Justice Rowe during a reception.

Among those who took part was Raphaelle Walsh-Beauchamp, Law’28 (Artsci’19, MA’21), who had just begun her legal studies two weeks earlier.

“The invitation to Justice Rowe’s panel, as well as the reception with the chance to independently converse with a member of the Supreme Court, speaks to Queen’s Law’s dedication to providing students with experiences that will shape us as lawyers,” she says.

Walsh-Beauchamp took the opportunity to ask a question during the Q&A.

“To ask a question of a Supreme Court Justice is an opportunity that legal professionals across Canada would relish,” she says. “To do so two weeks into my legal education was simultaneously formidable and surreal. When crafting my question, my goal was to evoke a response I could return to for wisdom throughout my career. My inspiration was Justice Rowe’s remark on the strong calibre of impartiality in Canadian courts, which left me pondering how our generation can continue this legacy.”

Listen to the lecture: “The Supreme Court of Canada: The First 150 Years”