Your First Year
Your first year in law at the University of Ottawa will mark a challenging, rewarding and unique experience. In Orientation Week we will help you get acquainted with our faculty members, with the city of Ottawa, and with the colleagues and friends with whom you will be studying over the next three years. You will also be matched with an upper-year Peer Advisor to help facilitate your transition to law school and for continued academic success throughout the year.
Over your first year of study, you will be instructed in six core areas of law as well as in alternative dispute resolution. They are:
- Dispute Resolution and Professional Responsibility
- Constitutional Law I
- Contracts
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- First Year Thematic Course
- Introduction to Public Law and Legislation
- Property
- Torts
Your second and third years will allow you the flexibility to choose courses across several disciplines of law or alternatively, to specialize within a single field of interest.
Our upper-year compulsory requirements are:
- Civil Procedure
- Completion of a major paper
- Constitutional Law II
- Participation in a moot court or oral skills course
Our faculty recognizes the importance of active participation in debate and the benefits of student interaction within a close classroom setting. With this in mind, each first year student is assigned to a "small group" core course of about 20 students. You will become well-versed in legal writing & research techniques as well as receive individualized feedback from your "small group" professor.
Students' Comments:
"The opportunity to acquire both Civil and Common Law degrees in four years, as well as the chance to choose instruction in both official languages, increases my potential value to a firm. These are among the reasons why I chose the University of Ottawa." - Scott, 1st year
In addition to learning the "language of law", a distinguishing feature of our first year curriculum is an immediate immersion in intensive Alternative Dispute Resolution training.
This three-week-long practical unit is designed to prepare you for mediation case analysis, effective client representation, and for developing specialized strategies to creatively solve disputes.
This exceptional program is undertaken through "actual-case"-based mediation exercises and student interaction with local members of the Bar.
As mediation is mandatory in the National Capital region, and on its way to full implementation across Ontario, employers will clearly recognize our graduates as being fully equipped for the demands of the legal profession.
"The University of Ottawa offers students the unique opportunity to experience a rich and supportive academic environment combined with a linguistic and culturally diverse student body. Our geographical location allows both faculty and students to participate in unique activities. For example, I was not only able to sit in on a Supreme Court case, but our class was fortunate to have one of our professors as part of an intervening team. Most importantly, the administration and the students work hard to maintain the link between students and professionals in the field and this is reflected in the success of our articling days and in summer and career placements." - Jen, 1st year
You have a challenging road ahead and we wish you every success in your legal career. We hope you will choose the University of Ottawa to best prepare you for that route.