Canal Rideau

National Program

Discover the value of Canadian multijuralism:
Enhance the versatility of your J.D. with the National Program in Civil Law

Few legal issues today can be classified as purely local or even domestic. Globalization, technology and the recent pandemic have revealed the extent of state interdependence and highlighted the need for jurists who are knowledgeable in multiple legal traditions. The National Program in Civil Law is your opportunity to gain the edge that is Canadian multijuralism, and better position yourself to solve the evolving, complex poly-jural questions that characterize the Digital Age.

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National Program in Civil Law

Overview: National Program in Civil Law

English Program

Discover all the doors that open up when you add a Civil Law degree to your J.D.

The National Program in Civil Law offers a unique opportunity to earn your LL.L. in just 1-year, fully online.

Not only are civilian legal systems an integral part of Canadian institutions, they also transcend Canada's national borders. Civil law is practised in Latin America, most of Europe and Africa, and in much of Asia and the Middle East. Earning a Civil Law degree will open new opportunities as it enhances your professional versatility and mobility, making you an asset to the public sector, Canadian law firms and the legal departments of international companies.

At-a-Glance Sheet

  • Degree: Civil Law (LL.L.), recognized for admission to the Quebec Bar School
  • Duration: one year, full-time or at your own pace, part-time (10 courses)
  • Delivery: Online and asynchronous
  • Language: courses taught in English.
  • Cost: tuition fees of $1,922.34 per course (3 cr.) + $234.39 administrative fees for a total of $2,156.73 (approximately)
  • Deadline : admissions are on a rolling basis
  • Start date: Fall term
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National Program courses

  • Please visit the National Program (LL.L) page
    note: if the program is followed part-time, the duration will exceed one year.

Admission requirements

  • You have a J.D. degree from a Canadian common law school or you are about to graduate from a J.D. program in a Canadian common law school.

    You have a minimum average of 70%. (University of Ottawa Common Law graduates must have a cumulative grade point average of 4,0.)

See what past graduates have to say

Stéphanie St Jacques

Stéphanie St Jacques

Legal Affairs Advisor, Office of Senator McPhedran, Senate of Canada

"I truly appreciated the material. This has been one of the better organized online courses that I've taken. I liked the emphasis on comparing common and civil law as new concepts were introduced, it was a great way to stay situated in my old knowledge while incorporating new civil law lessons."

Patrick J.Boyle

Patrick J.Boyle

Tax Law and Tax Litigation & Dispute Resolution, KPMG LAW LLP, Former Justice of the Tax Court of Canada

"After several single course terms, I decided to complete the full National Program requirements. The Program was both challenging and enjoyable. I have no doubt that completing the National Program contributed significantly to my success and reputation as a jurist and to my return to a truly national practice following my retirement from the Bench."

Yicheng Ru

Yicheng Ru

National Program (LL.L.) StudentJD Graduate (uOttawa, Common Law)

"The program’s online, asynchronous format allows me to deepen my understanding of Canada’s dual legal system at my convenience, while also enhancing my grasp of global legal frameworks, given that civil law systems govern about 60% of the world’s nations. I appreciate the flexibility to revisit complex topics through video lectures whenever necessary."

Course sequence

National Program (LL.L) - 30 units

DRC 4390 - Obligations I (3 units)

DRC 4391 - Property Law (3 units)

DRC 4392 - Persons and Family Law (3 units)

DRC 4393 - Civil Law Reasoning (3 units)

DRC 4394 - Obligations II (3 units)

DRC 4396 - Private International Law (3 units)

12 units - optional in civil law

List of optional courses

Note: The list of elective courses is prepared each year by the Faculty.

DRC 4148 - Security for Debt (3 units)

DRC 4158 - Matrimonial Property (3 units)

DRC 4159 - Wills and Estates (3 units)

DRC 4168 - Selected Topics in Civil Law I (3 units)

DRC 4331 - Selected Topics in Civil Law II (3 units)

DRC 4372 - Civil Law Writing (3 units)

DRC 4383 - Civil Procedure I (3 units)

DRC 4395 - Obligations III (3 units)

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