Introduction How can this course help me even if I don’t want to be a lawyer? Overview of the topics covered in this course Overview of the Canadian legal system How to think about the law What do lawyers do? 7 8 HELP YOU ASSESS POTENTIAL LEGAL RISKS THAT YOU WILL FACE IN YOUR CAREER DETERMINING METHODS TO REDUCE THAT RISK DEVISING STRATEGIES TO SCOPE WITH LEGAL ISSUES WHEN THEY ARISE Divisions of Power vs. Separation of Power Different sources of law Different forms of Justice Different practices of law Divisions of Power: Separation of Power: Executive Legislature Judiciary Federal Government Provincial Government Executive Government: Operates, implemented and enforces all the laws created by the legislative branch. Federal: The Crown (Governor General), the Prime Minister and his/her Cabinet (appointed). Provincial: The Crown (Lieutenant Governor), the Premier and the Cabinet Ministers (appointed). O Legislator: Elected officials who debate, amend and make laws. Federal: Members of Parliament, Senate Provincial: Legislative Assembly (Members of Provincial Parliament) Judiciary: Administers justice by interpreting and applying laws. Federal Government (s. 91 Constitution Act): • Postal Service • Militia, Military and Naval Service and Defence • Currency and Coinage • Banking, Incorporation of Banks, and the Issue of Paper Money • Copyright • Etc. Provincial Government (s. 92 Constitution Act) • The Incorporation of Companies with Provincial Objects • Property and Civil Rights in the Province • Generall all Matters of a merely local or private Nature in the Province • Etc. Lawyers know all the laws Legal rules are found in a book or have a single source that lawyers memorize Laws do not change and are set in stone All laws are enforceable Legislation Criminal Code Common Law / Civil Law Equity Constitution Courts Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Mediation or Arbitration Administrative Tribunals For e.x. Human Rights Tribunal, Ontario Securities Commission, etc.
