LAWS 2092

The clinical course in criminal law offers an opportunity to enhance advocacy skills, get out of the classroom and experience the reality of criminal trial practice. This course has both a clinical and an academic component. Each student is assigned to a crown counsel, defence lawyer or possibly a judge, and observes and participates as far as possible in the criminal law work of that person. For this period each student must spend a minimum of 16-20 hours a week with the principal. The academic component is dealt with in two weekly seminars, each of two hours, which run throughout the term. The seminars focus upon lawyering skills including interviewing, trial preparation and advocacy skills using simulation exercises as the vehicle for learning. The seminars also focus upon matters relating to criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, criminology and legal ethics. All-day tours of facilities such as penitentiaries and crime labs may also be arranged. Written memoranda are required and students will choose from a vast array of criminal law topics arising out of the many actual criminal court trials and cases students will be involved in. This is a 9-credit clinical course and class attendance is mandatory. Non-attendance without prior written permission of the Studies Committee will result in a failure.