The Common Law Degree Implementation Committee has issued its final report, the full text can be found if you click HERE.

The Federation of Law Societies of Canada’s Common Law Degree Implementation Committee (the “Committee”) is pleased to provide this final report to the Council of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada (the “Federation”). In accordance with its mandate, the Committee has developed a proposal to implement the uniform national requirement (the “national requirement”) for entry to law society admission programs in Canadian common law jurisdictions.

Of particular interest to those teaching legal ethics and professionalism, are the recommendations in relation to the mandatory course.

Recommendation 2

The elaboration of the professionalism and ethics competency set out in TABLE B be approved.

Recommendation 3

“Course” relating to ethics and professionalism instruction be interpreted to allow for both:

• a single stand alone course devoted to ethics and professionalism that at a minimum addresses the required competencies set out at TABLE B, and

• a demonstrable course of study devoted to ethics and professionalism that could be delivered:

(1) within a single course that addresses other topics, provided there is a dedicated unit on ethics and professionalism that at a minimum addresses the required competencies set out in TABLE B; and/or

(2) in multiple years within courses that address other topics, provided thereare dedicated units on ethics and professionalism that at a minimum address the required competencies set out in TABLE B.

 Recommendation 4

By 2015, graduates seeking entry to law society admission programs be required to have taken a demonstrable course of study dedicated to ethics and professionalism that is a minimum of 24 hours, is formally assessed and, at a minimum, addresses the required competences set out in TABLE B.

For what is contained in TABLE B, read the full report linked above.