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 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 26 | 12 :00 pm - 1 :00 pm | Live Webcast - A conversation with women in law and technology (bilingual)
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 - Workshops for the Ontario Licensing Examinations (Bilingual)
March 28 | 11:30 am - 1:00 pm | In Person | FTX 147 - Course Fair 2024 - English Common Law JD Program
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 | 11:45 - 1:00 | Virtual - "Ask Me Anything" - Success Coaching with Debra Love. Please register for the session on The Source.
April 3 | 11:30 am - 12:50 pm | FTX 351 - Conway Professionalism Speaker Series. More details to come
April 4 | 10:00 am – 12:50 pm | FTX 416 - Community Beading Circle 
April 4 | 11:30 am – 12:50 pm | FTX 351 - Discover Entrepreneurship Workshop Series, #3 Aligning Idea with the Market Needs. (English only)
June 11 | 11:00 am | via Zoom - Course Fair (Juris Doctor programs in French only). (French only) 

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 28, 2024: Course Fair for English courses.
March 31, 2024: Last day to register for a degree for Spring 2024 Convocation.  
June 11 | 11:00 am | via Zoom - Course Fair (Juris Doctor programs in French only). (French only)

Opportunities

Academic

News

Faculty of Law - Common Law Section
classroom full of people with 3 students and 1 judge seated at the front of the room
Faculty of Law - Common Law Section

Faculty celebrates the arrival of Supreme Court Justice Mary T. Moreau

In keeping with a uOttawa tradition, the Faculty of Law held a Welcoming Ceremony on March 13 in honour of the Honourable Mary T. Moreau, the newest j…
Faculty of Law - Common Law Section
Florian-Martin-Bariteau
Faculty of Law - Common Law Section

Securing tomorrow: Dr. Florian Martin-Bariteau recognized for research advancing technology frontiers

In recent years, discussions of technological progress frequently carry an undertone of apprehension. Is AI safe? Can cryptocurrencies be regulated? H…
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…

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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

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  • Thursday : 9:00 - 10:00 am