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Articles by Common Law
Building skills and serving communities through experiential learning
For law students, putting knowledge into practice brings new responsibilities: listening to a client, responding to an unexpected question or adapting research to a community’s needs. These experiences help students develop their judgment, build confidence and discover how they want to contribute as legal professionals. This past summer, Common Law students explored those responsibilities through opportunities ranging from clinical work to a public interest fellowship.
Professor Yan Campagnolo brings academic leadership to AJEFO
A full professor in the Common Law Section, Yan Campagnolo has distinguished himself as a scholar, educator, and public servant. He holds civil law and common law degrees from the University of Ottawa, where he received the Gold Medal for the highest standing in law, as well as graduate degrees from the University of Cambridge and the University of Toronto.
Two Common Law professors named among Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers
Professors Geist and Salyzyn were shortlisted earlier this year in different categories. Professor Geist was shortlisted in the Government / Non-profits / Associations category, while Professor Salyzyn was recognized in the Changemakers category. Both were ultimately selected among the 25 honourees. The annual Canadian Lawyer honours recognize legal professionals whose work has made a meaningful impact on Canada’s legal landscape over the past 18 months.
$4.2M grant strengthens access to justice and experiential learning at Faculty
This grant, which works out to approximately $1.4 million per year for three years, represents a significant increase over previous annual Comprehensive Grants provided by the Foundation. It offers a valuable opportunity for the Faculty to continue supporting its students and the wider community.
Shaping Future Lawyers Through AI Innovation
In Professor Amy Salyzyn’s AI and the Legal Profession course, that question is explored through hands-on experience with emerging technologies. This year, the Common Law Section became the first law school to formally integrate LawQi, a proprietary legal AI learning platform developed by uOttawa alum Colin Lachance, LLM ‘13, into its curriculum. The result is a dynamic course that prepares students to navigate a profession increasingly shaped by technology.
Teaching law in the age of AI: Professors Steve Lorteau and Doug Sarro are rethinking the law school classroom
Professors Steve Lorteau and Doug Sarro are at the forefront of this conversation. Their recent peer-reviewed article, “Artificial Intelligence in Legal Education: A Scoping Review,” offers one of the most comprehensive explorations to date of how AI is used in law schools around the world, uncovering what works, what doesn’t, and what remains uncertain. Drawing on 82 academic works from 26 jurisdictions, their study moves beyond speculation to provide a clear, evidence-based picture.
3L Student Alex Hepner is using his voice to champion cancer research
The 3L in the Common Law Section, who will graduate as scheduled in June, was diagnosed with a brain tumour when he was in first year. But thanks to brain surgery and an experimental new drug called vorasidenib, the future looks bright and Hepner is determined to give back. “If speaking out can move the needle even 0.1% for someone else going through something similar, it's worth it,” he says.
7 News Belize
Another woman has died as the result of a domestic dispute. 61 year old Dawn Bernard was allegedly set on fire by her 35 year old common law, Frederick Wagner on November 10th. After receiving severe burns and being placed in an induced coma, she died last night at the KHMH.
Learning in action: Development of the Indigenous Lands and Consultation Hub
The result is the Indigenous Lands and Consultation Hub, a new initiative at the Faculty of Law that brings together legal education and Indigenous knowledge in the spirit of reciprocity. The Hub connects law students with Indigenous Nations to co-develop practical tools, policy resources, and learning opportunities that support self-determination and capacity-building.
Harnessing inclusive knowledge for climate action: The Canada-Africa Partnership on intellectual property
An ambitious new research partnership based at the University of Ottawa is poised to tackle these questions head-on. The Canada-Africa Partnership on Intellectual Property (“CAP on IP”) for Climate Action brings together an extraordinary international coalition of academic experts, policymakers, and community leaders to address the complex relationship between IP systems, cleantech innovation, and climate justice.
Prof Florian Martin-Bariteau’s research chair renewed
During his first mandate (2020–2025), Professor Martin-Bariteau established himself as a leading national and international expert on the legal and ethical issues surrounding emerging technologies and the digital environment. Through cutting-edge research, public policy engagement, and interdisciplinary collaborations, his chair has helped to redefine the relationship between law and technology, leaving a lasting impact on scholarship in the field.
Law school auntie | Faculty of Law
That someone is Tasha Simon. Many know her as the Senior Specialist, Indigenous Programs, but for a fortunate few she is their law school auntie. For Simon, the role of auntie is deeply rooted in Indigenous traditions of compassion, care, and community. “The law school auntie provides support for Indigenous learners navigating a colonial institution that was created to oppress them," she explains. “It’s about creating a home away from home.
The Spirit Garden: Cultivating connection
Running alongside the Fauteux terrace, the Spirit Garden is a freshly planted space. Begun in 2019, it was born of a profound desire to decolonize university space and establish a concrete place of reconciliation at the very heart of the Faculty of Law. It bears witness to the continuity of Indigenous knowledge, practices and traditions that long predate the walls that surround it, knowledge that has endured since time immemorial.
Celebrating a Canadian Milestone: The Supreme Court of Canada at 150
Hosted by the uOttawa Public Law Centre, the Université de Montréal, and Dalhousie University’s Chancellor’s Chair in Aboriginal Law and Policy, the event marks the 150th anniversary of Canada’s highest court with two days of in-depth panels, keynote discussions, and critical reflection.
Exploring how academic freedom can co-exist with EDI on university campuses
The principle of academic freedom has long been considered a fundamental pillar of higher education. In its ideal realization, it allows scholars to explore, debate, and challenge ideas without fear of censorship or retribution. Universities, in turn, aspire to provide an environment where intellectual exploration can thrive, free from external pressures, be they political, social or ideological.
Why Scotland and Sri Lanka use Roman Law [11:36]
Free Republic Browse · Search General/Chat Topics · Post Article Skip to comments. Why Scotland and Sri Lanka use Roman Law [11:36] YouTube ^ | March 7, 2025 | Garrett Ryan, Ph.D (as toldinstone) Posted on by SunkenCiv This video explores how Roman law became the legal framework of medieval and early modern Europe, and went on to inspire the civil codes used across two-thirds of the globe today.
Fostering collaboration: scholars convene at the University of Ottawa to drive international law research
Jointly organized by the Canadian Yearbook of International Law (CYIL), the University of Ottawa’s International Law Group, and the Canadian Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), the workshop brought together early-career, mid-career, and senior academics to exchange ideas and provide constructive feedback on developing research.
Professor Delphine Nakache contributes to pioneering research on housing for asylum seekers
Common Law’s Professor Delphine Nakache is part of a research project initiated by Matthew House Ottawa – a non-profit organization providing housing and support to refugees – entitled “The Right to Housing for Refugee Claimants in Canada”.
TRUTH OR FICTION: Marriage In Texas And Beetlejuice Have One Thing In Common; The Number 3
Texas is a state known for having interesting and sometimes strange laws. Some of those laws, it can be argued, make certain things needlessly difficult or confusing, while others make things incredibly simple. When it comes to getting married in the Lone Star State, the common law marriage law makes it insanely easy for you to be living "til death do you part". Common law marriage in the state of Texas is pretty straightforward.
TRUTH OR FICTION: Marriage In Texas And Beetlejuice Have One Thing In Common; The Number 3 Original
Texas is a state known for having interesting and sometimes strange laws. Some of those laws, it can be argued, make certain things needlessly difficult or confusing, while others make things incredibly simple. When it comes to getting married in the Lone Star State, the common law marriage law makes it insanely easy for you to be living "til death do you part". Common law marriage in the state of Texas is pretty straightforward.
THE LAW Recent case
The entitlement of the people to participate in the administration of justice is no less important than their right to participate in the election of those who represent them whether at local, national or international level. In Ireland, as in other democratic states, particularly those sharing the system of Common Law, trial by jury is the vehicle through which the people participate in the administration of justice.
Happiness and the law: Professor Lynda Collins is investing in the well-being of law students
Professor Lynda Collins is tackling this issue head-on. With rising rates of anxiety, depression, and burnout in the profession, the need for a culture of support and open dialogue around mental health in the legal field has never been more urgent. Professor Collins is making sure this conversation begins in law school. Like legal professionals, law students face long hours and intense pressure – often this is pressure they place upon themselves.
A unique multimedia learning experience to mark the Supreme Court of Canada’s 150th anniversary
The University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law and its audiovisual platform Jurivision are launching a multimedia learning experience in both French and English that will offer an unprecedented immersion in the Court's activities and the daily lives of its justices. The project will explore the evolution of the institution from its modest origins and its influence on the lives of Canadians.
Professor João Velloso recognized for research exploring the legal legacy of the G20 mass arrests
Professor João Velloso addressed this topic in an article entitled “La gouvernance plurinormative des manifestants : reconfigurations pénales, exceptionnalité et dégradation des droits pendant le G20 à Toronto” (The plurinormative governance of protesters: penal reconfigurations, exceptionalism and the degradation of rights during the Toronto G20 Summit), and that publication has now been awarded the (CLSA) Article Prize (French Language) for 2024.
A new foundation in Indigenous laws and legal traditions
The most recent cohort of first-year students took part in an immersive program exploring Indigenous laws and legal traditions while learning about the role of Canadian law in colonization and cultivating fresh perspectives about what it means to undertake a career in law.
From Professor to Superior Court Judge: Carissima Mathen’s indelible mark on our Faculty
Justice Mathen, a distinguished legal scholar with expertise in Canadian constitutional law, has been a pivotal figure within the Faculty since joining in 2011. She taught Canadian Constitutional and Criminal Law, as well as seminars in Advanced Constitutional Law. From 2017-2019, she served as the Vice-Dean (Academic) of the English Program. Profound impact on our community "I couldn’t be happier for Justice Mathen,” says Kristen Boon, Dean of the Common Law Section.
Championing Ethics in Neuroscience: Professor Jennifer Chandler Wins Prestigious Steven E. Hyman Award
Awarded by the International Neuroethics Society (INS), this international accolade is one of the most prestigious distinctions in the field, and stands as a testament to Professor Chandler’s significant impact and leadership within the global neuroethics community. Professor Chandler works at the intersection of law and biomedical science and technology, focusing her research on the law and ethics of the brain sciences and neurotechnology.
Behind the screens: Youth insights shaping approaches to technology-facilitated violence
Particularly concerning is the prevalence of technology-facilitated violence, a multifaceted phenomenon that challenges conventional perceptions of violence and demands urgent attention. Traditionally, definitions of violence emphasize physical acts of aggression perpetrated by individuals. However, digital networks facilitate harms that go well beyond the physical.
Professor François Larocque honoured for influence on Canadian Francophonie
Professor Larocque has defended the rights of Francophones for more than a decade, serving as a strong advocate for the advancement of the language rights of Francophones living in minority situations in both Ontario and in Canada as a whole.
Professor Julie Ada: empowering young advocates to dismantle systemic barriers
Bringing a wealth of knowledge, passion and commitment to the role of the Allan Rock Visiting Professor, which she began in the fall of 2023, Professor Ada is educating the next generation of legal practitioners in critical race theory and the law's role in perpetuating racial inequalities.
Professor Roojin Habibi leads a human rights-based approach to global health emergencies
Professor Roojin Habibi has spent the last three years working to counter this distressing pattern with fresh guidance on how to promote and secure human rights in public health emergencies. In partnership with the Global Health Law Consortium (GHLC) – an academic network of global health law researchers – and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Professor Habibi has led efforts to create a framework for a human rights-based response to a global public health emergency.
Ottawa Law Review hosted the Volume 55 Dinner
This extraordinary evening was graced by the presence of several esteemed members of our legal community. Attendees included The Right Honourable Richard Wagner, Chief Justice of Canada, Nathalie Des Rosiers, former Dean of our Faculty of Law and current principal of Massey College, Godyne Sibay, a member of the Common Law Honour Society since 2019, and Mark Power, former senior editor and faculty advisor for the OLR.
Tackling food waste: A recipe for change
Professor Heather McLeod-Kilmurray, co-director of the at the University of Ottawa, has been at the forefront of addressing sustainable food systems since 2016, back when food law was not yet an established field in Canadian legal studies. She works now to address significant gaps in law and policy relating to the food we consume and the food we don’t, striving to make lawmakers and regular Canadians aware of the importance of sustainable and waste-conscious food systems.
Law researchers leverage emerging technologies to improve teaching and learning
In August 2023, the University of Ottawa put out a call for applications for grants from the Learning Futures Fund, which was established to support creativity, innovation and experimentation in teaching and learning. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 were awarded to support innovators in developing and pursuing new pedagogical ideas built around the use of emerging technologies.
Inaugural Ian R. Kerr Fellow Seeks Balance Between Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights in Africa
Ms. Ezeoke is an accomplished Nigerian attorney, with an impressive background in litigation and corporate commercial law. A skilled negotiator, her specialties include corporate/commercial, energy, securities, compliance, mergers & acquisitions, private equity deals, secured financings, employment, and medical law.
Decolonizing Legal Learning: Moving forward on Call to Action 28 at the Common Law Section
Among the calls to action is a specific recommendation for law schools – Call to Action 28 – which urges Canada’s faculties of law to provide students with a course on Indigenous people and the law. Law schools are asked to cover the history and impact of the residential schools system, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the history of Indigenous rights and treaties, Indigenous law and legal traditions, and Indigenous-Crown relations.
Professor Lynda Hubert Ta examines the practice of biodiversity offsetting
A new article from Professor Lynda Hubert Ta of the Civil Law Section and Professor Bonnie Campbell of the Université du Québec à Montréal suggests that while compensating for negative impacts on biodiversity is laudable, it is also debatable. The new article is entitled “Environmental protection in Madagascar: Biodiversity offsetting in the mining sector as a corporate social responsibility strategy”, published in the journal The Extractive Industries and Society (Volume 15, September 2023).
Professor François Larocque is continuing to innovate at the forefront of language rights research
Since 2018, the Chair has been a sterling example of research innovation, pursuing knowledge mobilization activities aimed at community members, litigants and young people. One example is the free mobile application Planctus, launched in 2020, which allows users, in just a few clicks, to learn about their language rights.
“A major legal achievement in tackling today’s ocean challenges”: Monim Benaissa examines the High Seas Treaty
The treaty is also known as “BBNJ” (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction), a title that emphasizes the lack of state sovereignty or national jurisdiction in international waters. PhD candidate Monim Benaissa has authored a new blog on the BBNJ that highlights the importance of the new treaty.
Can’t Compute: A New Book that Brings us Closer to an Equitable Digital World
A new open-access book from the University of Ottawa Research Chair in Technology and Society seeks to amplify voices that are often ignored in digital spaces, bringing fresh ideas to some of today’s most pressing digital technology issues. Can’t Compute: Moving Towards an Equitable Digital World is a collection of essays that highlights technology issues that are increasingly relevant to members of equity-seeking groups.
Professor Alain Roussy awarded the AJEFO Order of Merit
The Order of Merit of the Association des juristes d'expression française de l'Ontario is awarded each year to one or two people to highlight their contributions to the promotion of legal services in French, the support they have given to the implementation and development of common law in French, as well as their dedication to the cause within associations and organizations. Professor Roussy is distinguished by his teachings, his research and his dedication to the Francophone community.
Students of the Feminist Law Reform Course Gain Invaluable Experience and Access to Experts
The bilingual course delves into the struggle for women’s equality in Canada and provides students with the means to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to correct systemic legislative errors at the federal level. Sarah-Claude L’Ecuyer, a 3rd year student who has just completed this course, says that it is unlike any other class offered at the Faculty of Law. “Its unique focus on feminism and law reform is a refreshing and much needed change from the other courses we take as law students.
Professor Jane Bailey joins Canadian UN delegation on women and girls’ inclusion in innovation
Women and Gender Equality Canada named Professor Jane Bailey as a member of the Canadian delegation for the UN Commission on the Status of Women meetings in New York, which are running from March 6-17, 2023. The priority theme this year is innovation and technological change and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
Common Law Internal Awards 2022
The Office of the Vice-Dean Research established these awards to recognize the role of dedicated teaching, sustained and creative research and generous service to the community, the University and the Faculty of Law in strengthening our institution and raising our public profile.
Professor Natasha Bakht inducted into the Order of Ottawa
Professor Bakht’s scholarship is devoted mainly to bettering the practical realities of women’s lives. She works actively to strengthen awareness and understanding, and to promote dialogue, for the rights of religious minorities in Canada. Her work counters misconceptions about Islam and particularly Muslim women. Professor Bakht is also an Indian contemporary dancer and choreographer who uses a hybridity of forms to tell the stories of diversity and resistance.
Women and Water: Professor Aimée Craft seeks to advance Indigenous water governance
As water keepers, women are at the center of Anishinaabe inaakonigewin (law) and giigendaasowin (knowledge) relating to lands and waters, and are thus in a unique position to develop art, as well as legal advocacy, research, and writing around water. Professor Aimée Craft has been awarded a Partnership Engage Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for a project entitled “Women and Water: Anishinaabekwe Collaboration Across Water Jurisdictions”.
Wanted: A Constitutional Ethos – - James Stoner
Constitutionalism is the ethos of settling political disputes by law and compromise rather than command and violence, along with the institutions and traditions that make this possible. It supposes that citizens and their parties take turns in office and anticipate that the precedents and practices they establish when in office will be used by their opponents when it is their turn.
Good Vibrations Podcast
Good Vibrations is Mark Devlin's regular podcast of conversations with free-thinking individuals on wide-ranging crucial topics about the true nature of reality, encompassing the subjects of truth, conspiracy, spirituality, consciousness, mind-control, social-engineering, and much more. The show began in late 2011 with David Icke as the first guest.
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Common Law on Apple Podcasts
34 episodes Though much divides us these days, there are still some things we all share in common. One of them is law. From the kind of health care we receive to the laws that determine what’s a ticket and what’s a court date, law is everywhere. “Common Law” gives insight into the laws around us and what’s next.
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