Course Descriptions
LAWS 1008 Introduction to Legal Ethics and The Regulation of the Legal Profession
CREDIT HOURS: 1
This course has three objectives. First, it will start students on a journey of development of their ethical identity as lawyers. Second, it will introduce students to the core ethical values and principles governing Canadian lawyers. Third, it will provide an overview of the regulatory regime for the Canadian legal profession.
NOTES: Assessment Method: Students will be required to write a short reflection paper, to be graded on a Pass/Honours/Fail basis.
RESTRICTIONS:
LAWS 1010 Contracts and Judicial Decision-Making
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course has two primary objectives: the first is to provide an understanding of the process of development of the common law through judicial decisions; the second is to provide a basic knowledge of the doctrines and precepts of the law governing the making and performance of contracts. As a means of attaining the first objective, the “case method” of teaching is used to enable students to acquire a lawyer-like understanding of such concepts as “stare decisis”, the use of precedent, and the technique of distinguishing. A critical evaluation of judicial law-making is undertaken through an examination of the developing phenomenon of legislative intervention in the field of contract law. In order to fulfil the second objective, substantive rules of contract law are examined.
NOTES: Students taking this course must register in and complete
LAWS 1010 &
LAWS 1020 in consecutive terms; credit will not be granted if courses are not completed consecutively.
Assessment Method: For large-group classes, written examination in December (with option to count as 30% of the final mark), and a final examination. For small group classes, evaluation is by a combination of class assignments, oral advocacy exercise(s) and class participation.
LAWS 1011 Criminal Justice-The Individual and the State
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Relationships among the state, individuals, and communities are considered in the context of Canadian criminal law. The legal rights provisions of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, selected topics in criminal procedure and the principles of substantive criminal law will be the main focus of this course. The latter concentrates on elements of offences, justifications, excuses, non-exculpatory defenses, inchoate crimes and secondary liability for offences. Teaching is conducted by lecture and discussion of assigned materials including the Criminal Code (which is also used to illustrate methods and problems of statutory interpretation) and a volume of cases and materials.
Deferred Course in Criminal Justice: First year students should note that there are a few places available in the intensive Deferred Course in Criminal Justice which replaces the regular full year course. Students who are enrolled in this small group course do not take Criminal Justice during the regular term and must be prepared to extend their academic year for about six weeks, from approximately late April until early June. Students wishing to select this option must apply to the Studies Committee and must provide cogent reasons demonstrating that they would benefit from enrolment in the course. Factors such as mature student status, parenting responsibilities, illness, disability, the need for employment during the regular term and other personal circumstances may be taken into consideration. Students are able to choose from a wide range of evaluative options in this course. Contact Professor Kaiser for further information.
NOTES: Students taking this course must register in and complete
LAWS 1011 &
LAWS 1021 in consecutive terms; credit will not be granted if courses are not completed consecutively.
Assessment Method: For large group classes, written examination in December (with option to count as 30% of final mark), and a final examination. For small group classes, the mark is composed of a combination of oral and written advocacy exercises, class participation and written assignments.
LAWS 1013 Fundamentals of Public Law
CREDIT HOURS: 2.5
This course provides students with an understanding of the constitutional and administrative structures of Canadian law and government. An emphasis is placed on developing the skills required of lawyers whose public law work may range from appearances before administrative tribunals, to giving advice on the formulation and articulation of policy. Primary among the emphasized skills is the ability to work with and interpret constitutional, statutory and regulatory texts. A perspective on the administrative model of decision making will also be developed. As a necessary background for the development of these skills and for the general study of law, this course introduces students to the Canadian governmental and constitutional system. Students will explore the legislative process, statutory interpretation, and the administrative system using human rights legislation as a model. Further, students will develop an understanding of the analytical framework of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, through the study of the interpretation and development of equality rights.
NOTES: Students taking this course must register in and complete
LAWS 1013 &
LAWS 1023 in consecutive terms; credit will not be granted if courses are not completed consecutively.
Assessment Method: Written examination in December (with option to count as 30% of the final grade), and a final examination which may have both a take-home and in-class component
LAWS 1014 Legal Research and Writing
CREDIT HOURS: 1.5
This course has three objectives. The first is to introduce students to the process of legal research and to provide a basic understanding of primary legal materials and secondary sources of legal information in both print and digital form. The second is to provide students with the basic skills of legal writing and legal citation. The third objective is to introduce students to the technique of applying legal authorities to the solution of legal problems. This course is conducted by lectures, research assignments based on hypothetical fact situations and assigned readings.
NOTES: Students taking this course must register in and complete
LAWS 1014 &
LAWS 1024 in consecutive terms; credit will not be granted if courses are not completed consecutively.
Assessment Method: Library and citation assignments and research and writing assignments.
LAWS 1015 Property in its Historical Context
CREDIT HOURS: 3
The purpose of this course is two-fold: first, to provide a basic understanding of property concepts and principles in both real and personal property; second, to provide a sense of the historical development of the law of property. This course introduces the student to the concept of property, its evolution, types and fundamental principles. It illustrates ideas such as possession and ownership by reference to the law of finders and bailment and to various transactions in which land or goods are the common denominators. It also introduces the doctrine of aboriginal title and explores the principles of real property, including tenure, estates, future interests, matrimonial property, private and public controls on land use, and the registry system.
NOTES: Students taking this course must register in and complete
LAWS 1015 &
LAWS 1025 in consecutive terms; credit will not be granted if courses are not completed consecutively.
Assessment Method: Written examination in December (with option to count as 30% of the final mark), and a final examination
LAWS 1016 Tort Law and Damage Compensation
CREDIT HOURS: 3
The major objective of this course is to provide a basic understanding of the manner in which losses from injuries to personal, proprietary and economic interests are distributed through tort law. Attention will also be given to other methods of compensating for such losses, and to the relative merits of tort law vis-à-vis these alternative schemes. Materials to be studied include cases, appropriate legislation and doctrinal writings related to the problems of tort law and damage compensation in a diverse society.
NOTES: Students taking this course must register in and complete
LAWS 1016 &
LAWS 1026 in consecutive terms; credit will not be granted if courses are not completed consecutively.
Assessment Method: For large-group classes, written examination in December (with option to count as 30% of the final mark), and a final examination. For small group classes, the mark is composed of a combination of assignments, an oral advocacy exercise and class participation.
LAWS 1017 African Nova Scotian Legal History, Issues and Critical Race Theory I
CREDIT HOURS: 1
This course introduces African Nova Scotian legal history and its shaping of contemporary African Nova Scotian legal issues; and critical race theory, which provides a lens through which to analyze race as a social construct that has infused the foundations and ongoing application of Canadian law. Key course objectives are: (1) to enhance critical thinking; (2) to understand the law’s role in constituting African Nova Scotians as a distinct people; (3) to understand the central legal issues impacting African Nova Scotians, and by extension people of African descent; (4) to understand critical race theory and its basic tenets, including the role that law and legal education play in creating and reinscribing anti-Black racism; (5) to raise awareness about the law’s role in establishing and perpetuating of other forms of racism in Canada; and (6) to develop cultural competency skills within the context of professional obligations.
NOTES: Students taking this course must register in and complete
LAWS 1017 &
LAWS 1027 in consecutive terms; credit will not be granted if courses are not completed consecutively. Assessment Method: ANS/CRT I will be evaluated on the basis of a two-page reflection paper that demonstrates a knowledgeable and thoughtful engagement with the component parts of the course. The assessment for ANS/CRT II will be an in-class group presentation. Both assignments will be graded on a pass/fail/honours scheme, and both must be passed.
RESTRICTIONS: This course is restricted to JD students or JD Combined Degree students
LAWS 1019 Aboriginal and Indigenous Law in Context
CREDIT HOURS: 1
This course provides an introduction to both Aboriginal Law and Indigenous Law, and the historical and contemporary context that is fundamental to understanding these areas of law. Aboriginal law refers to “settler law”, that is, the law made by Canadian legislatures and courts that applies to Aboriginal peoples, and embodies all situations where the Aboriginal status of an individual or group may impact the legal outcome, or the process leading to a legal outcome. Indigenous laws and legal traditions (e.g. Mi’kmaq law) comprise the legal orders of specific indigenous communities. Indigenous societies used these laws to govern themselves prior to contact with Europeans and many continue to do so today. Along with the common law and civil law traditions, Indigenous legal orders are, therefore, among Canada’s distinctive founding legal traditions.
NOTES: Students taking this course must register in and complete
LAWS 1019 &
LAWS 1029 in consecutive terms; credit will not be granted if courses are not completed consecutively.
Assessment Method: AILC I will be evaluated on the basis of a two page reflection paper that demonstrates a knowledgeable and thoughtful engagement with the component parts of the experiential learning exercises. The assessment for AILC II will be an in-class group presentation. Both assignments will be graded on a pass/fail scheme, and both must be passed.
LAWS 1020 Contracts and Judicial Decision-Making
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course has two primary objectives: the first is to provide an understanding of the process of development of the common law through judicial decisions; the second is to provide a basic knowledge of the doctrines and precepts of the law governing the making and performance of contracts. As a means of attaining the first objective, the “case method” of teaching is used to enable students to acquire a lawyer-like understanding of such concepts as “stare decisis”, the use of precedent, and the technique of distinguishing. A critical evaluation of judicial law-making is undertaken through an examination of the developing phenomenon of legislative intervention in the field of contract law. In order to fulfil the second objective, substantive rules of contract law are examined.
NOTES: Students taking this course must register in and complete
LAWS 1010 &
LAWS 1020 in consecutive terms; credit will not be granted if courses are not completed consecutively.
Assessment Method: For large-group classes, written examination in December (with option to count as 30% of the final mark), and a final examination. For small group classes, evaluation is by a combination of class assignments, oral advocacy exercise(s) and class participation.
LAWS 1021 Criminal Justice-The Individual and the State
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Relationships among the state, individuals, and communities are considered in the context of Canadian criminal law. The legal rights provisions of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, selected topics in criminal procedure and the principles of substantive criminal law will be the main focus of this course. The latter concentrates on elements of offences, justifications, excuses, non-exculpatory defenses, inchoate crimes and secondary liability for offences. Teaching is conducted by lecture and discussion of assigned materials including the Criminal Code (which is also used to illustrate methods and problems of statutory interpretation) and a volume of cases and materials.
Deferred Course in Criminal Justice: First year students should note that there are a few places available in the intensive Deferred Course in Criminal Justice which replaces the regular full year course. Students who are enrolled in this small group course do not take Criminal Justice during the regular term and must be prepared to extend their academic year for about six weeks, from approximately late April until early June. Students wishing to select this option must apply to the Studies Committee and must provide cogent reasons demonstrating that they would benefit from enrolment in the course. Factors such as mature student status, parenting responsibilities, illness, disability, the need for employment during the regular term and other personal circumstances may be taken into consideration. Students are able to choose from a wide range of evaluative options in this course. Contact Professor Kaiser for further information.
NOTES: Students taking this course must register in and complete
LAWS 1011 &
LAWS 1021 in consecutive terms; credit will not be granted if courses are not completed consecutively.
Assessment Method: For large group classes, written examination in December (with option to count as 30% of final mark), and a final examination. For small group classes, the mark is composed of a combination of oral and written advocacy exercises, class participation and written assignments.
LAWS 1023 Fundamentals of Public Law
CREDIT HOURS: 2.5
This course provides students with an understanding of the constitutional and administrative structures of Canadian law and government. An emphasis is placed on developing the skills required of lawyers whose public law work may range from appearances before administrative tribunals, to giving advice on the formulation and articulation of policy. Primary among the emphasized skills is the ability to work with and interpret constitutional, statutory and regulatory texts. A perspective on the administrative model of decision making will also be developed. As a necessary background for the development of these skills and for the general study of law, this course introduces students to the Canadian governmental and constitutional system. Students will explore the legislative process, statutory interpretation, and the administrative system using human rights legislation as a model. Further, students will develop an understanding of the analytical framework of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, through the study of the interpretation and development of equality rights.
NOTES: Students taking this course must register in and complete
LAWS 1013 &
LAWS 1023 in consecutive terms; credit will not be granted if courses are not completed consecutively.
Assessment Method: Written examination in December (with option to count as 30% of the final grade), and a final examination which may have both a take-home and in-class component
LAWS 1024 Legal Research and Writing
CREDIT HOURS: 1.5
This course has three objectives. The first is to introduce students to the process of legal research and to provide a basic understanding of primary legal materials and secondary sources of legal information in both print and digital form. The second is to provide students with the basic skills of legal writing and legal citation. The third objective is to introduce students to the technique of applying legal authorities to the solution of legal problems. This course is conducted by lectures, research assignments based on hypothetical fact situations and assigned readings.
NOTES: Students taking this course must register in and complete
LAWS 1014 &
LAWS 1024 in consecutive terms; credit will not be granted if courses are not completed consecutively.
Assessment Method: Library and citation assignments and research and writing assignments.
LAWS 1025 Property in its Historical Context
CREDIT HOURS: 3
The purpose of this course is two-fold: first, to provide a basic understanding of property concepts and principles in both real and personal property; second, to provide a sense of the historical development of the law of property.This course introduces the student to the concept of property, its evolution, types and fundamental principles. It illustrates ideas such as possession and ownership by reference to the law of finders and bailment and to various transactions in which land or goods are the common denominators. It also introduces the doctrine of aboriginal title and explores the principles of real property, including tenure, estates, future interests, matrimonial property, private and public controls on land use, and the registry system.
NOTES: Students taking this course must register in and complete
LAWS 1015 &
LAWS 1025 in consecutive terms; credit will not be granted if courses are not completed consecutively.
Assessment Method: Written examination in December (with option to count as 30% of the final mark), and a final examination
LAWS 1026 Tort Law and Damage Compensation
CREDIT HOURS: 3
The major objective of this course is to provide a basic understanding of the manner in which losses from injuries to personal, proprietary and economic interests are distributed through tort law. Attention will also be given to other methods of compensating for such losses, and to the relative merits of tort law vis-à-vis these alternative schemes. Materials to be studied include cases, appropriate legislation and doctrinal writings related to the problems of tort law and damage compensation in a diverse society.
NOTES: Students taking this course must register in and complete
LAWS 1016 &
LAWS 1026 in consecutive terms; credit will not be granted if courses are not completed consecutively.
Assessment Method: For large-group classes, written examination in December (with option to count as 30% of the final mark), and a final examination. For small group classes, the mark is composed of a combination of assignments, an oral advocacy exercise and class participation.
LAWS 1027 African Nova Scotian Legal History, Issues and Critical Race Theory II
CREDIT HOURS: 1
This course introduces African Nova Scotian legal history and its shaping of contemporary African Nova Scotian legal issues; and critical race theory, which provides a lens through which to analyze race as a social construct that has infused the foundations and ongoing application of Canadian law. Key course objectives are: (1) to enhance critical thinking; (2) to understand the law’s role in constituting African Nova Scotians as a distinct people; (3) to understand the central legal issues impacting African Nova Scotians, and by extension people of African descent; (4) to understand critical race theory and its basic tenets, including the role that law and legal education play in creating and reinscribing anti-Black racism; (5) to raise awareness about the law’s role in establishing and perpetuating of other forms of racism in Canada; and (6) to develop cultural competency skills within the context of professional obligations.
NOTES: Students taking this course must register in and complete
LAWS 1017 &
LAWS 1027 in consecutive terms; credit will not be granted if courses are not completed consecutively. Assessment Method: ANS/CRT I will be evaluated on the basis of a two-page reflection paper that demonstrates a knowledgeable and thoughtful engagement with the component parts of the course. The assessment for ANS/CRT II will be an in-class group presentation. Both assignments will be graded on a pass/fail/honours scheme, and both must be passed.
RESTRICTIONS: This course is restricted to JD students or JD Combined Degree students
LAWS 1029 Aboriginal and Indigenous Law in Context
CREDIT HOURS: 1
This course provides an introduction to both Aboriginal Law and Indigenous Law, and the historical and contemporary context that is fundamental to understanding these areas of law. Aboriginal law refers to “settler law”, that is, the law made by Canadian legislatures and courts that applies to Aboriginal peoples, and embodies all situations where the Aboriginal status of an individual or group may impact the legal outcome, or the process leading to a legal outcome. Indigenous laws and legal traditions (e.g. Mi’kmaq law) comprise the legal orders of specific indigenous communities. Indigenous societies used these laws to govern themselves prior to contact with Europeans and many continue to do so today. Along with the common law and civil law traditions, Indigenous legal orders are, therefore, among Canada’s distinctive founding legal traditions.
NOTES: Students taking this course must register in and complete
LAWS 1019 &
LAWS 1029 in consecutive terms; credit will not be granted if courses are not completed consecutively.
Assessment Method: AILC I will be evaluated on the basis of a two page reflection paper that demonstrates a knowledgeable and thoughtful engagement with the component parts of the experiential learning exercises. The assessment for AILC II will be an in-class group presentation. Both assignments will be graded on a pass/fail scheme, and both must be passed.
LAWS 1101 Criminal Justice-The Individual and the State
CREDIT HOURS: 5
Relationships among the state, individuals, and communities are considered in the context of Canadian criminal law. The legal rights provisions of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, selected topics in criminal procedure and the principles of substantive criminal law will be the main focus of this course. The latter concentrates on elements of offences, justifications, excuses, non-exculpatory defenses, inchoate crimes and secondary liability for offences. Teaching is conducted by lecture and discussion of assigned materials including the Criminal Code (which is also used to illustrate methods and problems of statutory interpretation) and a volume of cases and materials. Deferred Course in Criminal Justice: First year students should note that there are a few places available in the intensive Deferred Course in Criminal Justice which replaces the regular full year course. Students who are enrolled in this small group course do not take Criminal Justice during the regular term and must be prepared to extend their academic year for about six weeks, from approximately late April until early June. Students wishing to select this option must apply to the Studies Committee and must provide cogent reasons demonstrating that they would benefit from enrolment in the course. Factors such as mature student status, parenting responsibilities, illness, disability, the need for employment during the regular term and other personal circumstances may be taken into consideration. Students are able to choose from a wide range of evaluative options in this course. Contact Professor Kaiser for further information.
NOTES: The mark is composed of a combination of oral and written advocacy exercises, class participation and written assignments.
RESTRICTIONS: This course is restricted to JD students or JD Combined Degree students
LAWS 1110 Contracts and Judicial Decision-Making
CREDIT HOURS: 2.5
This course has two primary objectives: the first is to provide an understanding of the process of development of the common law through judicial decisions; the second is to provide a basic knowledge of the doctrines and precepts of the law governing the making and performance of contracts. As a means of attaining the first objective, the “case method” of teaching is used to enable students to acquire a lawyer-like understanding of such concepts as “stare decisis”, the use of precedent, and the technique of distinguishing. A critical evaluation of judicial law-making is undertaken through an examination of the developing phenomenon of legislative intervention in the field of contract law. In order to fulfill the second objective, substantive rules of contract law are examined.
NOTES: Students taking this course must register in and complete
LAWS 1110 &
LAWS 1120 in consecutive terms; credit will not be granted if courses are not completed consecutively. Assessment Method: For large-group classes, written examination in December (with option to count as 30% of the final mark), and a final examination. For small group classes, evaluation is by a combination of class assignments, oral advocacy exercise(s) and class participation.
RESTRICTIONS: This course is restricted to JD students or JD Combined Degree students
LAWS 1111 Criminal Justice-The Individual and the State
CREDIT HOURS: 2.5
Relationships among the state, individuals, and communities are considered in the context of Canadian criminal law. The legal rights provisions of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, selected topics in criminal procedure and the principles of substantive criminal law will be the main focus of this course. The latter concentrates on elements of offences, justifications, excuses, non-exculpatory defenses, inchoate crimes and secondary liability for offences. Teaching is conducted by lecture and discussion of assigned materials including the Criminal Code (which is also used to illustrate methods and problems of statutory interpretation) and a volume of cases and materials. Deferred Course in Criminal Justice: First year students should note that there are a few places available in the intensive Deferred Course in Criminal Justice which replaces the regular full year course. Students who are enrolled in this small group course do not take Criminal Justice during the regular term and must be prepared to extend their academic year for about six weeks, from approximately late April until early June. Students wishing to select this option must apply to the Studies Committee and must provide cogent reasons demonstrating that they would benefit from enrolment in the course. Factors such as mature student status, parenting responsibilities, illness, disability, the need for employment during the regular term and other personal circumstances may be taken into consideration. Students are able to choose from a wide range of evaluative options in this course. Contact Professor Kaiser for further information.
NOTES: Students taking this course must register in and complete
LAWS 1111 &
LAWS 1121 in consecutive terms; credit will not be granted if courses are not completed consecutively. Assessment Method: For large group classes, written examination in December (with option to count as 30% of final mark), and a final examination. For small group classes, the mark is composed of a combination of oral and written advocacy exercises, class participation and written assignments.
RESTRICTIONS: This course is restricted to JD students or JD Combined Degree students