First Year Academic Program

First Year Courses

2021 - 2022

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (SECTIONS):

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (LAW106H1F) (0101) Yasmin Dawood

First term: 5 credits

This course provides an introduction to the law of the Canadian constitution. It examines the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, federalism, Aboriginal law, the structure of the Canadian constitution, interpretive principles, and the role of judicial review.

Evaluation: will be by a limited open book, final 3-hour examination during the scheduled examination period in December (worth 90%), and a 10% participation score.

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (LAW106H1F) (0102) David Schneiderman

First term: 5 credits

This course provides an introduction to the law of the Canadian constitution. The course examines the law of federalism, Aboriginal and treaty rights, and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We consider such things as the origins and structure of the Canadian constitution, the role of judicial review, general principles of interpretation with regard to the distribution of legislative authority, key principles arising under Aboriginal and treaty rights, and a selection of rights and freedoms under the Charter.

Evaluation: will be by a limited open book, final 3-hour examination during the scheduled examination period in December.

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (LAW106H1S) Richard Stacey

Second term: 5 credits

This course provides an introduction to the law of the Canadian constitution. It examines the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, federalism, and Indigenous rights. The course introduces the concept of constitutionalism and explores the nature of Canadian constitutionalism specifically. We ask what constitutions mean and what they are meant to achieve. We look at how the Canadian Constitution is structured and, in turn, how it structures public power in Canada. We consider the role of judicial review and the relationship between courts and legislatures, with respect to the distribution of legislative authority, constitutional rights and freedoms, and Indigenous rights. We will examine selected federal and provincial powers, Indigenous rights, and Charter rights in more detail.

Evaluation: will be by a final 3 hour open-book examination during the scheduled examination period in April.

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (SMALL GROUPS):

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW A (LAW136Y1Y) - Ariel Katz

Both Terms: 6 credits

This course provides an introduction to the law of the Canadian constitution. It examines federalism, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and Aboriginal and treaty rights. The course considers the structure of the Canadian constitution, the role of judicial review, and general principles of interpretation with regard to the distribution of legislative authority, constitutional rights and freedoms, and Aboriginal and treaty rights. Selected federal and provincial powers, Aboriginal and treaty rights, rights guaranteed by the Charter will be examined.

Evaluation: Written assignments (90%) and class participation (10%).

CONTRACT LAW (SECTIONS):

CONTRACT LAW (LAW101H1S) (0101) Brian Langille

Second term: 5 credits

This course examines a very basic and important component of, and issue for, our economy and society – the nature and role of contract. We will also confront some basic issues in legal theory. The matters considered include the requirements of enforceability, remedies for breach, the effect of contracts on third parties, and excuses for non-performance. These excuses include unfairness, unexpected circumstances, and public policy. Throughout there is strong emphasis on how contracts are formed and interpreted. NOTE: If the class is held in person (and not online) use of laptops and other electronic devices is not permitted during class. Computer notes for the class will be assigned on a rotating basis to two students for each class and circulated.

Evaluation: Final Examination (80%) and class participation 20% (attendance, preparation, active class engagement, pre-assigned in class oral presentations, note taking – see above). Note: class attendance is mandatory and students are to notify Professor Langille by email in advance if unable, for a good reason, to attend class.

CONTRACT LAW (LAW101H1S) (0102) Catherine Valcke

Second term: 5 credits

This course examines the enforcement of promises and agreements. The matters considered include the requirements of enforceability, remedies for breach, the effect of contracts on third parties, the effect of writing, and excuses for non-performance. These excuses include unfairness, unexpected circumstances, and public policy.

Evaluation: will be evaluated by a 3 hour closed-book final examination in April worth 90% of your grade and 10% participation.

CONTRACT LAW (SMALL GROUPS):

CONTRACT LAW A (LAW120Y1Y) Stephen Waddams

Both Terms: 6 credits

Evaluation: three assignments of equal value (90% in total) and class participation (10%).

CONTRACT LAW B (LAW121Y1Y) Angela Fernandez

Both Terms: 6 credits

Evaluation: First Term assignment (20%); Second-Term assignment (30%); Third end-of-year assignment (30%) and Participation (20%, 10% each semester).

CRIMINAL LAW (SECTIONS):

CRIMINAL LAW (LAW102H1F) (0101) Kent Roach

First term: 5 credits

This course is an examination of the basic concepts of criminal law in the broad context of the entire criminal justice system, including certain procedural and pre-trial aspects, the Charter and the problem of the disposition of convicted offenders. The general principles of criminal liability are analyzed and applied to both Criminal Code and provincial offences. This is followed by an examination of general and specific defences that an accused may raise in criminal cases.

Evaluation: Students will be evaluated by a 3-hour open-book final examination (100%).

CRIMINAL LAW (LAW102H1F) (0102) Hamish Stewart

First term: 5 credits

This course examines the basic concepts of the criminal law through sustained attention to several core criminal offenses, notably the varieties of homicide and sexual assault. Along the way, we will also spend significant time considering inchoate crimes, accessorial liability, and defences of excuse and justification. Themes of the course include the impact of the Charter on the substantive criminal law and the scope of criminalization in a liberal society.

Evaluation: Students will be evaluated by a 3-hour open-book final examination (90%) and class participation (10%).

CRIMINAL LAW (SMALL GROUPS):

CRIMINAL LAW A (LAW124Y1Y) Alan Brudner

Both Terms: 6 credits

This course examines the central concepts of criminal law--culpable act, culpable mind, outcome responsibility, justification, and excuse--as shaped by the interaction between statute, common law, and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Evaluation: written assignments (100%).

CRIMINAL LAW B (LAW125Y1Y) Martha Shaffer

Both Terms: 6 credits

This course examines the basic principles of the criminal law, including the concepts of acts reus (the physical element of an offence) and mens rea (the mental element). We will also examine different forms of participation (as a principal, an aider and abettor, and through common intention) and the kinds of claims that give rise to defences (mistake of fact, intoxication, mental disorder, self-defence, duress and necessity). Along the way, we will examine the impact of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and in particular the principles of fundamental justice, on the development of the criminal law. We will frame our exploration of these legal principles with an examination of the concrete impact of these principles in the real world, focusing in particular on the impact of the criminal law on Indigenous and racialized persons, as well as on the criminal law’s response to gender based violence.

Evaluation: First Term assignment (20%); Second-Term assignment (30%); Third end-of-year assignment (40%) and Participation (10%).

CRIMINAL LAW C (LAW126Y1Y) Simon Stern

Both Terms: 6 credits

Evaluation: Three written assignments (90%) and class participation (10%).

LEGAL METHODS (AUGUST 23 – SEPTEMBER 3, 2021)

LEGAL METHODS AA (LAW111H1F) (0101) Yasmin Dawood

First Term: 2 credits

One of the central goals of our JD program is to train students to “think like lawyers.” The Legal Methods intensive course is designed to introduce students to the foundational information and reasoning needed to make the most of the JD program from the outset.

The course will provide general background information on the foundations of the Canadian legal system, such as the important legal institutions, the distinction between private and public law, the sources of law, and the relationship between core first year courses.

The course will emphasize legal analytical methods and techniques used by law students. The course provides an introduction to analyzing and briefing cases, teaching students to identify key elements of a case and how to use precedents. The course also introduces students to statutory interpretation, the interaction between courts and the legislature, and an introduction on to how to prepare for and write law school exams.

Evaluation: This class is evaluated on a credit/no credit basis. To receive credit for the course, a student must attend all classes and satisfactorily complete two assignments: (1) a take-home briefing exercise; and (2) an in-class legal writing exercise.

LEGAL METHODS BB (LAW111H1F) (0102) Adriana Robertson

First Term: 2 credits

LEGAL METHODS CC (LAW111H1F) (0103) Martha Shaffer

First Term: 2 credits

LEGAL PROCESS (WINTER TERM):

LEGAL PROCESS AA (LAW100H1S) (0101) Hamish Stewart

Second Term: 4 credits

This course provides an introduction to civil legal process. We will focus on legal thinking, rules and processes of civil procedure and dispute resolution. After a short introduction to the legal system, we will consider the rules, statutes, and common-law doctrines governing parties and proceedings. Topics to be covered may include: standing; justiciability; the joinder of parties; intervention by non-parties; pleadings; limitation periods; relitigation; jurisdiction; preliminary relief; discovery; confidentiality and privilege; summary judgment; class proceedings; and the interaction between the civil litigation process and other modes of dispute resolution. The focus, during all of these discussions, will be on the rationales for the rules, standards, and doctrines that govern legal procedure, in light of the various interests that must be accommodated: the plaintiff’s desire to be heard, the defendant’s wish to avoid needless litigation, the efforts of non-parties to have their interests represented, the needs of potential future litigants to have the law clearly set out on the basis of accurate information, and the public’s demand for an effective and efficient system.

Evaluation: Class participation and a short writing assignment (10%); and an open-book final examination (90%) not to exceed two hours.

LEGAL PROCESS BB (LAW100H1S) (0102) Angela Fernandez

Second Term: 4 credits

This course provides an introduction to civil legal process. We will focus on legal thinking, rules and processes of civil procedure and dispute resolution. After a short introduction to the legal system, we will consider the rules, statutes, and common-law doctrines governing parties and proceedings. Topics to be covered may include standing, justiciability, the joinder of parties, intervention by non-parties, pleadings, limitation periods, relitigation, jurisdiction, preliminary relief, discovery, confidentiality and privilege, summary judgment, class proceedings, and the interaction between the civil litigation process and other modes of dispute resolution. The focus, during all of these discussions, will be on the rationales for the rules, standards, and doctrines that govern legal procedure, in light of the various interests that must be accommodated: the plaintiff’s desire to be heard, the defendant’s wish to avoid needless litigation, the efforts of non-parties to have their interests represented, the needs of potential future litigants to have the law clearly set out on the basis of accurate information, and the public’s demand for an effective and efficient system.

Evaluation: a two-hour 100% open-book examination to be written on the day the exam is scheduled (100%).

LEGAL PROCESS CC (LAW100H1S) (0103) Abdi Aidid

Second Term: 4 credits

This course provides an introduction to civil legal process. We will focus on legal thinking, rules and processes of civil procedure and dispute resolution. After a short introduction to the legal system, we will consider the rules, statutes, and common-law doctrines governing parties and proceedings. Topics to be covered may include standing, justiciability, the joinder of parties, intervention by non-parties, pleadings, limitation periods, relitigation, jurisdiction, preliminary relief, discovery, confidentiality and privilege, summary judgment, class proceedings, and the interaction between the civil litigation process and other modes of dispute resolution. The focus, during all of these discussions, will be on the rationales for the rules, standards, and doctrines that govern legal procedure, in light of the various interests that must be accommodated: the plaintiff’s desire to be heard, the defendant’s wish to avoid needless litigation, the efforts of non-parties to have their interests represented, the needs of potential future litigants to have the law clearly set out on the basis of accurate information, and the public’s demand for an effective and efficient system.

Evaluation: class participation (10%) and an open-book final examination (90%) not to exceed two hours.

LEGAL RESEARCH & WRITING (FALL TERM)

LEGAL RESEARCH & WRITING 0101 (LAW149H1F) Katherine Vitale Lopez

First Term: 2 credits

Legal research and writing introduces students to the way lawyers read, write, analyze and frame legal arguments. Students learn research and writing skills by engaging in numerous in-class exercises and preparing as assignments various legal documents including a legal memorandum and a factum. To maximize the pedagogical benefit to students, active engagement and participation in class is encouraged.