Clinical Criminal Law by application only (6 credit hours) spanned course.
The primary focus of the Clinical Criminal Law course is the development of skills required by a practitioner in criminal law. These skills include: interviewing, counselling, negotiation and advocacy skills such as direct and cross-examination and argument.
Two primary methodologies are utilized in the Clinical Criminal Law course: (a) students are required to spend an average of 20 hours (2.5 work days) each week working on client files from the University Law Centre, which will include duty days at the Centre, as assigned and equates to an overall target for the term of 260 hours of client file work; and (b) students are required to participate in bi-weekly seminars with their instructor or “rounds”.
Pre- and Co-requisite Courses
To ensure they have the requisite advanced knowledge in Criminal Law to support their practice experiences students must also have completed, or be concurrently completing, Charter Issues in Criminal Law.
To augment their skill development through experience working directly with clients in this course, students must also take one of two intensive simulation-based skill development courses: Advanced Advocacy or Intensive Criminal Law.
COURSE CONTENT: The course will consist of:
(a) Client representation at the University Law Centre.
(b) Seminars discussing the cases being conducted by the students. This seminar will include discussions of the substantive, procedural and evidentiary issues in those cases as well as any tactical and/or ethical considerations that may arise.
PREREQUISITE: Charter Issues in Canadian Criminal Law
CO-REQUISITE: Either Advanced Advocacy or Intensive Criminal Law.
ENROLMENT: Limited to 12 students.
Special Notes:
1. It will be necessary for students to appear in Court on behalf of their clients. The timing and number of these appearances cannot be determined in advance.
2. Class attendance is MANDATORY. If you are planning to take an extended December or February break, do not enroll for this course.