Canadian Law School

Post-secondary degrees in common law and Québec civil law are conferred by institutions in eight provinces and Nunavut Territory. In two posts, Next Gen Litigators will summarize the offerings of each Canadian law program with respect to location, degrees offered, areas of specialty, and entrance requirements

University of Alberta Faculty of Law

The University of Alberta Faculty of Law is integral to the institution’s main campus in Edmonton, Alberta. Founded in 1912, the three-year Juris Doctor (J.D.) program provides students with a strong foundation in the law, together with an array of opportunities to specialize areas of interest. Home of the Health Law Institute, first health law research institute in Canada, and the Centre for Constitutional Studies, which publishes a scholarly journal and an online journal. The Faculty of Law also provides opportunities to complete exchange programs in Copenhagen, Denmark; Granada, Spain, and Madrid, Spain. An MBA/JD combined degree is also offered by the faculty.

Average GPA: 3.8

Average LSAT: 160

University of Calgary Faculty of Law

Alberta’s second law school and affiliated alumni pride themselves as “national and global leaders in natural resources, energy, and environmental law.” The school offers the aforementioned JD programs offered by the University of Alberta Faculty of Law in addition to a combined JD/Masters in Public Policy, which permits completion in four years rather than five. Furthermore, the International Energy Lawyers Program in partnership with the University of Houston Law Center presents a four year program allowing students to earn both American and Canadian law degrees. Home of the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre.

Average GPA: 3.66

Average LSAT: 161

Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia’s law faculty consists of over 50 full-time professors that have educated graduates in all areas of law and government, making a significant impact on some of today’s most pressing issues around the world. The school offers a joint legal-education program between the Allard School of Law and the University of Hong Kong, as well as an agreement with Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne. JD and JD/MBA programs offered, in addition to Indigenous Legal Studies and Asia Pacific Dispute Resolution programs. Exchanges in Canada, the United States, Asia, Europe, and Australia are also available.

Average GPA: 83%

Average LSAT: 166

Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law

Located in Kamloops, British Columbia, TRU Faculty of Law “offers a three-year JD program that gives students a well-established curriculum taught by an outstanding group of legal academics,” modern classrooms, student study spaces, and spectacular views of the River Valley and adjacent mountains. J.D. and J.D./MBA programs offered, together with legal, clinical, and community-based practice. Exchanges available in Canada, the United States, Asia, Europe, Australia, and South Africa. Other areas of specialty include Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Intercultural Learning and Anti-Racism in Law, and Feminist Legal Studies.

Average GPA: N/A

Average LSAT: N/A

University of Victoria, Faculty of Law

The University of Victoria is home to one of Canada’s leading law schools. It is located on the gorgeous Pacific Rim, in Victoria, BC, and is rich with Indigenous and International perspectives.The Faculty of Law is known for the strength of its program, its approach to experiential learning and their commitment to community engagement and social difference. The University of Victoria has the largest number of clinical placements per student in the country. They have long-term partnerships with Indigenous communities and has an Indigenous application for students. It offers the only common law co-operative education program in Canada. The Faculty of Law has a unique Amicus Program which supports the initiatives that play an active role in engaging, advising and supporting their students during their law school journey. There are four overlapping components in the program: academic success, cultural support, personal support and accommodation support.

Average GPA: 3. 81

Average LSAT: 157–176 (median: 165)

University of New Brunswick, Faculty of Law

The Faculty of Law at the University of New Brunswick is the second oldest university-ased law faculty. Located in New Brunswick’s capital city, Fredericton, and it is one of two law school located in the province, the other being the French language Faculty at l’Universite de Moncton. UNB has a very rooted reputation in treating students as individuals and offering them a broad legal education through an intensive core curriculum. UNB also has a very popular legal clinic that aims at offering access to justice by providing free legal services to individuals who cannot afford representation. The clinic specializes in employment law, tenant law, and social benefits.

Average GPA: 3.8/4.3

Average LSAT:158

University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law

Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, The University of Manitoba houses one of the oldest law schools in Western Canada. Scholarly writing and research are integral elements of this J.D. program, consequently, students will participate in research and writing-based courses to help them learn how to use language effectively. The Faculty of Law participates in multiple moot courts and mock trials including NHL Moot, Davies Corporate Securities Law Moot. The program is very research intensive so each year, students must take a prospective course as part of the curriculum, providing them an opportunity to explore law in-depth.

Average GPA: 3.99/4.5

Average LSAT: 160

Dalhousie University, Faculty of Law

Located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, The Schulich School of Law was founded in 1883 originally under the name Dalhousie Law School. It is the oldest university-based common law school in Canada. Dalhousie was highly ranked in Macleans magazine as the best law school in Atlantic Canada, second best in Toronto and the sixth strongest in Canada. The law school is home to the Health Law Institute, the Law and Technology Institute, and the Marine and Environmental Law Institute. It has many areas of expertise ranging from Law and technology, mental health law, legal ethics and human rights law as well as approximately 23 more areas. Founded in 1970, Dalhousie Legal Aid Service and provides important legal services to the Halifax area bringing together third-year law students and practising lawyers.

Average GPA: 3.7 cGPA (or recent two years)

Average LSAT: 161- 164

Follow Next Gen Litigators on Instagram and Medium for future discussions of Criminal Court Procedure, or inquire about content and events at nextgenlitigators@gmail.com.

NGL is an educational hub that spreads the knowledge of law. NGL is by no means a law source, tutor, or a lawyer teaching you law. The knowledge provided in these posts is simply made for extracurricular and fulfilling purposes. They are by no means intended for educational use (law school) or workplace (law firms). By reading these posts, you understand the knowledge of law from these posts is not coming from a lawyer or a law source. You fully discharge Next Gen Litigators from all liability.