Word from the Dean

March is Mois de la Francophonie (Francophonie month) and the Common Law Section is thrilled to celebrate the rich tapestry of French language and culture that is an integral part of our community.  

One of the most emblematic aspects of our faculty is our commitment to providing multijural, bilingual legal education in the heart of the nation's capital. This distinctive feature is our trademark. It is what makes us us.

At the forefront of this commitment is the exceptional opportunity our students have to study law in French through the Programme de common law en francais (PCLF). This program stands as a beacon, offering a bilingual legal education that is unparalleled. It is worth noting that the PCLF is one of only two programs of its kind globally, a testament to our dedication to meeting the needs of Franco-Ontarians for French legal education and services while also extending our reach to Francophones from other provinces.

For over 40 years, the Common Law French Program has played a pivotal role in training lawyers to enhance access to justice in minority Francophone communities. Our National Program enables students who already have a civil law degree to complete their JD degree in under a year, widening the scope of their opportunities for practicing law across Canada and internationally.

It brings me great pride to witness a growing trend where students from Anglophone and allophone backgrounds are choosing uOttawa to pursue common law studies in French. This speaks volumes about the reputation and desirability of our unique bilingual legal education model.

As we celebrate our linguistic and cultural diversity this month, I also want to express my gratitude to the members of our very engaged francophone community – the dedicated professors of the PCLF, accomplished alumni and collaborative community partners.

Here are some recent news items which reflect the vitality and vigour of our francophone community:

Kristen Boon

Upcoming Events

March 18 | 11:30 am - 12:50 pm | Virtual - Administrative Law & Governance Colloquium:  Prerogative Powers.Registration required.
March 18 | 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm | FTX 570 - Launch of the exhibitionunLine: Exploring the transgressive potential of art in a digitally repressive environment. Registration required.
March 19 & 20 | 10:00 am - 5 pm | FTX 570 - Visit the art exhibition unLine: Exploring the transgressive potential of art in a digitally repressive environment. No registration required.
March 20 | 11:30 am - 1:00 pm | FTX 135 - LSO Bar Exam Preparation Tips / Bar Exam Crackers
March 20 | 11:30 am - 1:00 pm | FTX 147 - Graduate Studies Careers Session
March 20 |11:30 - 1:00 pm | Virtual - New York Summer Associate Program
March 20 | 5:00-7:00pm | FTX Atrium - MENALSA’s Networking Mixer: Bridging Cultures & Disciplines. Registration required.
March 21 | 11:30 - 1:00 pm | Virtual and In Person | FTX 147 - Aird & Berlis LLP Cover Letter Workshop
March 22 | 7:30 am - 9:30 am | Rideau Club, 99 Bank Street - 18th Annual Michel-Bastarache Lecture. Registration required (French only)
March 26 | 11:30 am – 12:50 pm | FTX 351 + Zoom - Canada lags behind on efforts to address human rights abuses in seafood supply chains. Bring your lunch! Registration required.
March 27| 11:30 am - 12:50 pm | FTX 351 - International Law Speaker Series. More details to come
March 27 |11:30 am - 12:50 pm | Virtual - Administrative Law & Governance Colloquium: Comparative Perspectives. Registration required.
March 27 | 11:30 am - 1:00 pm | FTX 147 - 2025-2026 Articling Search: The Application Process and The Interview
March 27 | 11:30 am - 1:00 pm | FTX 135 -Conseils de préparation aux examens du Barreau de l'Ontario (FR)
March 28 | 10:00 am – 12:50 pm | FTX 416 - Community Beading Circle.
March 28 | 11:30 - 1:00 | FTX 351 - The Inside Scoop: A Guide for Future Lawyers
March 28 | 11:30 am - 1:00 pm | In Person | FTX 147 - Course Fair 2024 - English Common Law JD Program


Please visit the website for a complete list of upcoming events.

Important dates

Jan. 29 to April 10, 2024: Courses for the Winter term.
March 11-15 | Law School Wellness Week - Events include a yoga class, healthy breakfast, Pet Therapy, a law student panel on wellness, and a Wellness Symposium. Stay tuned for details on social media! 
March 19: Deadline for students to confirm their participation to April exams in Ventus, for those who are registered with the Academic Accommodations Service. 
Please visit the website for a complete list of important dates and deadlines.
March 21, 2024: Course Fair for French courses.
March 22, 2024: Last day to withdraw from a course with no financial credit. Withdrawing from a course may affect whether you will meet all your program requirements.   
March 28, 2024: Course Fair for English courses.
March 31, 2024: Last day to register for a degree for Spring 2024 Convocation.  

Opportunities

Academic

News

Faculty of Law - Common Law Section
Sylvia Rich
Faculty of Law - Common Law Section

Professor Sylvia Rich explores proportionality and unjustified harm in sentencing

How do we know if the length of a prison sentence is just or unjust? How much punishment is justifiable for a serious crime, and how much for a relati…
Faculty of Law - Common Law Section
Professor Jane Bailey
Faculty of Law - Common Law Section

Behind the screens: Youth insights shaping approaches to technology-facilitated violence

The connectivity that typifies our digitally networked world brings with it widespread and persistent challenges.
Faculty of Law - Common Law Section
photo noir et blanc du professeur Francois Larocque
Faculty of Law - Common Law Section

Professor François Larocque honoured for influence on Canadian Francophonie

For his tireless efforts in researching and defending the language rights of Canada’s French-speaking minority communities, Professor François Larocqu…

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Faculty of Law - Common Law Section

Fauteux Hall
57 Louis Pasteur St
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 6N5

Tel.: 613-562-5794
Fax: 613-562-5124

Communication Team

Email: [email protected]
Tel.: 613-562-5800 ext. 3270
Fax: 613-562-5124

We offer Zoom Office hours every: 

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  • Thursday : 9:00 - 10:00 am