| University of Calgary Faculty of Law | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Mo Shùile Togam Suas (Gaelic: I will lift up my eyes) |
| Established | 1976 |
| Type | Public Law School |
| Chancellor | Jim Dinning |
| President | Dr. Elizabeth Cannon |
| Admin. staff | 21 faculty |
| Undergraduates | 300 law students |
| Postgraduates | available |
| Location | Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Campus | Urban, 2.13 km² or 213 hectares University of Calgary |
| Sport Teams | Calgary Dinos |
| Colours | Red, Gold, Black. |
| Nickname | Dinos |
| Mascot | Rex |
| Affiliations | ACU, AUCC, IAU, G13, CIS, CWUAA, CUSID |
| Website | [1] |
The Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary was officially opened in 1976 with a first-year class of sixty students and nine faculty members. Currently, there are 21 faculty and approximately 300 students in total, giving the school one of the smallest class sizes of the Canadian law schools. Calgary has a large legal community, and boasts a diverse legal profession. The Faculty of Law has a strong connection with the Calgary legal community.
In the 2011 QS World University Rankings, the University of Calgary's law school is ranked in 39th position, the fourth highest ranked law school in Canada behind McGill University, the University of Toronto, and the University of British Columbia.
The Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary was a community initiative established by members of the Calgary legal community and the UofC in combination with the City of Calgary. It took ten years to bring the law school into existence from the tireless efforts of these individuals. The Faculty of Law continues to thrive based on its strong ties to the Calgary legal community.
The first Faculty of Law in the city of Calgary was first opened in 1913. The first law school was part of Calgary College, a private post-secondary institution with no degree granting status. Calgary College consisted of a class of twelve students, two lecturers and a dean. The outbreak of World War I in 1914 caused for the disbandment of the law school and the students continued their legal education at the University of Alberta, located three hours north of Calgary in the city of Edmonton.
The only law school in the province of Alberta for the next sixty-two years was the Faculty of Law at the University of Alberta.
There was a wide range of interested groups expressing strong support for the idea of having a law school located in Calgary. In 1971 an ad hoc committee with representation from the Bench and the Bar strongly recommended for the creating of the Faculty of Law in the city of Calgary. In 1973, a government appointed committed made the same recommendation to the Minister of Advanced Education.
Both the Calgary Bar and the City of Calgary sought ways to make significant financial contributions for the development of a law library. In September 1974, the Ministry of Advanced Education gave its final approval to the proposal for the establishment of the Faculty of Law.
The University of Calgary Faculty of Law officially opened its doors in 1976 with a first year calss of sixty students and nine faculty members.
The establishment of the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary was a community initiative. Members of both the University of Calgary and the Calgary legal community, in combination with the City of Calgary, worked for ten years to bring the school into existence.
The first Dean of the law school, John McLaren (U of C honorary degree recipient, 1997), started his five year appointment in July 1975. In September 1975, Professor Gail Starr was appointed as the Faculty's first librarian.
The Juris Doctor (JD) program (formerly LL.B.) is the central reason for the Faculty of Law’s existence.
The University of Calgary JD program is directed to preparing students for a variety of roles within the legal system.
The Faculty has an endowed Chair in Natural Resources Law and a Law Library with strong holdings in the school’s area of specialization. The resources of the Faculty are complemented by the internationally renowned Canadian Institute of Resources Law (CIRL) which is affiliated with the Faculty and located in the same building. CIRL has an ongoing program of resources law research in Canada and internationally.
The Faculty is able to offer limited financial assistance to successful candidates in the form of scholarships, bursaries, and research and travel grants.
A) For admission to the LLM Program:
on the paper based test, 250 or above on the computer-based test, or 100 or above on the internet-based test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination will be required.
B) For completion of the LLM degree students must:
from a related discipline, or 500 level courses with special permission.
Mooting & Debating Program
Over 30 awards have been received by the Faculty of Law in the last 10 years competing in the Jessup Moot. In 2002 and 2003 the University of Calgary achieved a first place standing in the International Memorial competitions and received the Ronald St. John MacDonald awards. During the 2003/2004 academic year, we also achieved awards in the Sopinka Cup Trial Competition in Ottawa and the National Corporate Security Moot,held in Toronto.
The curriculum is arranged to permit all first year students an opportunity to moot and additional challenges are available in second and third year studies. The mooting year begins in the fall with the McGillvray Moot (the annual intra school competition)and is followed by several regional and national (Aboriginal) Moot, Western Canada,Corporate/Securities, and the Intra School debate (Blackstone) which is open to students in all three years of the program. The Mooting and Debating program is an exciting and challenging part of the law school experience in Calgary and all students are encouraged to participate in the many mooting opportunities.
Combined Degree Programs
The Faculty of Law offers combined degree programs with the Haskayne School of Business, the JD/MBA degree, and the Faculty of Environmental Design, the JD/MEDes degree. Students wishing to obtain either combined degree must be admitted to each Faculty through the ordinary admissions process of each Faculty. Successful applicants may then apply to the JD/MBA or JD/MEDes Combined Degree Committee which consists of members of the academic staff of both Faculties.
The Combined Degree Committee makes decisions on who will be admitted into the combined degree programs. Each combined degree program is a four year program.
International Study Opportunities
Students in second or third year of the JD program have the opportunity to take an approved program of legal studies at a University abroad and have it credited towards the JD degree.
The Faculty of Law recognizes that international legal studies is becoming increasingly important in the global village, and thus is pursuing to arrange exchange programs with other selected law schools. The Mooting and Debating program enables students to experience growth in advocacy and public speaking skills. The program has achieved outstanding national and international success – especially in connection with the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.
The Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate in Natural Resources, Energy & Environmental Law is intended for lawyers practicing full-time who wish to supplement or update their knowledge in natural resources, energy or environmental law on a part- time basis. National law firms with a significant presence in Calgary all have practice areas and practice groups in the above areas.
The Student Services Office at the University of Calgary houses the following offices:
• Career Services • JD Admissions • Graduate Admissions
The Student Services Office provides professional service and answers student questions regarding administrative issues, Career Services advice, graduate assistance. and loan issues.
Career Services
Career Services, in partnership with the Faculty of Law, provides faculty specific services for law students and alumni.
Student Legal Assistance (SLA)
Student Legal Assistance is a nonprofit association located at the Law School that delivers a range of free legal services to residents of the Calgary area who cannot afford legal assistance. In providing these services, law students are given the opportunity to serve the community and develop professional skills and knowledge through interviewing, case research, and court appearances. During the school year, SLA operates a clinic four evenings a week. A full time legal clinic is run at the Law School and The Bow Valley during the summer months.
Society of Law Students (SLS)
The Society of Law Students is the official student Association, constituted within The Students’ Union, the University of Calgary, and recognized by The Faculty of Law to represent the interests of all students in the undergraduate law program. The official representatives of this student government are elected annually by students. The SLS provides an important social network to the student body at the Faculty of Law, yet is also an important vehicle through which students can affect and effect policy and administrative decisions regarding the entire faculty.
All students enrolled in the Faculty are eligible for membership in the SLS, activated on a voluntary basis through the payment of an annual fee. Membership provides students with a locker, a library carrel and a daytimer, as well as access to other services including orientation week activities, a yearbook, regularly scheduled social events, Careers Day through the Articling Committee, the annual Law Show and much more.
Pro Bono Students (PBSC)
Pro Bono Students Canada is a network of law schools, law students, community organizations and lawyers. PBSC encourages volunteering in the community and provides under represented and disadvantaged communities with pro bono legal services.
Law students who are interested in doing volunteer or pro bono work are matched with non-profit agencies, government organizations and other public interest organizations under the supervision of a member of the bar. Since the expansion of this program to a national program in 1999, PBSC in Calgary has aided over 20 organizations in Calgary and the surrounding area with legal services.
Canadian Institute of Resources Law (CIRL)The Canadian Institute of Resources Law is a leading national centre of expertise on legal and policy issues relating to Canada’s natural resources. Since its establishment in 1979, the Institute has pursued a threefold mandate of research, education, and publication.
The Institute engages in a wide variety of research projects on its own initiative and in response to requests from government and the private sector. Completed studies include mining law in Canada; the application of environmental protection legislation to the forest sector; oil and gas law on Canada lands; and water law in Canada.
Ongoing research includes legal and policy issues in the areas of forestry, water resource management, the petroleum sector, environmental regulation, international trade and mining.
The Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre, founded by Sheldon M. Chumir, was incorporated in 1982 and is affiliated with the Alberta Civil Liberties Association, and the University of Calgary.
The Research Centre is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness among Albertans about civil liberties and human rights through research, publication and education.
The Research Centre receives core funding from the Alberta Law Foundation and project funding from private foundations as well as from the federal and provincial governments.
Murray Fraser Hall, which houses the Faculty of Law and the Bennett Jones Law Library, was recently renovated. The renovations made it possible for the Faculty to accommodate the space for student enrollment to boost from 75 to 100 for each incoming year. In addition to the law school, the Bennett Jones Law Library and University of Calgary resources and services are available to all law students. Undergraduate students have work rooms that are equipped with recording equipment available to them, and have use of a variety of study spaces, including the Stephanie & Brian Felesky Student Lounge.
Bennett Jones Law Library
Intensive use of information resources is common to all aspects of legal work, whether that work involves preparation for a class, for scholarship, or for action. Students can access the most current information regarding legal and policy issues form national leading centres of expertise.
McCarthy Tétrault & Partners Skills Room
A room in which law students can video tape themselves to test their mooting & debating skills. Located in Murray Fraser Hall, Room 3385.
MacLeod Dixon Moot Court
The Faculty of Law has a court room located on the third floor in Room 3370. The courtroom seats 50 students and panel of 6 judges or lawyers.
Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer Classroom
The BDC classroom is located on the third floor (Room 3360) of the faculty and seats approximately 60 students.
Borden Ladner Gervais Classroom
The BLG classroom is located on the third floor of the faculty and seats 35 people.
F. Richard Matthews Q.C. Seminar Room
F. Richard Matthews is an institution in the Calgary legal community and friend of the law school. This classroom seats 12 persons and is located in Room 3332.
Fraser Milner Casgrain Students Centre
FMC has provided a student space for law students to eat their lunch, study and/or meet with other JD students in the faculty. This faculty space is located on the second floor of the faculty.
Lest We Forget is an art installation remembering the victims of the Dec 6, 1989, École Polytechnique Massacre also known as the Montreal Massacre.
Gunman Marc Lépine shot 28 people claiming he was “fighting feminism”, before killing himself. His suicide note claimed political motives and blamed feminists for ruining his life. “Lest We Forget” is a sculpture by Teresa Posyniak made in 1992 to honour the memory of 135 Canadian women and those unnamed, who were murdered by men, in hope for a more peaceful future.
This sculpture is on permanent loan to the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Government of Alberta. The case and platform were made possible through community fund-raising and the generous support of Moli Industries Ltd.
Media: cast handmade paper, oils, charcoal, acrylics, wood, styrofoam and painted leaves.
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