CML 1101 : Principles of Legal Research
BRIAN DICKSON LAW LIBRARY
Fall 2009
Instructors:
Colleen Addison
Alan Fleichman
Julie Lavigne
Contact Information
Colleen Addison
Law Librarian
Brian Dickson Law Library
FTX 423
University of Ottawa
57 Louis Pasteur Street
caddiso2@uottawa.ca
Tel.: 613 562-5800 x3360
Alan Fleichman
Human Rights Librarian
Brian Dickson Law Library
FTX 432
University of Ottawa
57 Louis Pasteur Street
alan.fleichman@uottawa.ca
Tel.: 613 562-5800 x2406
Julie Lavigne
Law Librarian
Brian Dickson Law Library
FTX 424
University of Ottawa
57 Louis Pasteur Street
jlavigne@uottawa.ca
Tel.: 613 562-5800 x3363
Office hours are by appointment; however, if the door is open, feel free to come in. Julie and Colleen are
usually in the library from 8:30 to 5:00, and Alan is usually in the library from 8:00-4:00.
E-mail messages intended for class sections will be sent out using InfoWeb.
Description
This course will introduce students to the process of legal research and will provide a basic understanding
of primary and secondary sources of legal information in both print and digital form.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Orient yourself in the Brian Dickson Law Library.

Identify and find primary (legislation and case law) and secondary (journal articles, commentary,
etc.) legal resources.

Describe the process by which laws and regulations are created (Federal & Ontario).

Find legal information in a variety of formats.

Recognize legal citations and legal abbreviations.

Demonstrate and apply practical skills in legal research methodology.
Course Material
No text is required for purchase. Recommended readings are listed below in the “Weekly outline” table.
Legal Research Manual – available through the course’s wiki at:
http://legalresearchprinciples.pbworks.com/Legal+Research+Manual
These items may be borrowed from the Brian Dickson Law Library:
Maureen F. Fitzgerald, Legal Problem Solving: Reasoning, Research & Writing, 4th ed.
(Toronto: LexisNexis Butterworths, 2007). FTX Reserve KE 250 .F57 2007
McGill Law Journal, Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation, 6th ed. (Toronto: Carswell, 2006).
KE 259 .C353 2006 [three copies in FTX Reserve and three copies in FTX Reference]
Douglass T. MacEllven & Michael J. McGuire, Legal Research Handbook, 5th ed. ed. (Toronto:
Butterworths, 2003). FTX Reserve KE 250 .M324 2003
Ted Tjaden, Legal Research and Writing, 2d ed. (Toronto: Irwin Law, 2004). FTX Reserve KE 250
.T53 2004 or online through Irwin Law e-Book collection: http://lib.myilibrary.com/home.asp
(browse by publisher or use the search box at the top of the page to locate this title)
Course Method
The course will consist of lectures and learner-centred exercises completed in class, in the computer
laboratory, and online in the Virtual Campus WebCT space that has been set up for this course.
Evaluation
In-class and take-home exercises: 50%
Major research assignment: 40% due Tuesday, December 1 at 5:00 p.m. FOR ALL SECTIONS
Participation: 10%
Your participation mark is based on your attendance in classes and labs, as well as the successful
completion of the online Blackboard modules, and your contribution to class discussions and in-class group
work. Questions are as integral to participation as are insightful comments and answers.
RULES FOR THE COMPLETION OF ASSIGNMENTS
1.
All assignments must be handed in class to your instructor no later than the date and time
specified in the assignment.
2.
All requests for extensions, as provided in the Faculty Regulations, must be processed
through the office for Academic Affairs. Neither professors nor staff at the Secretariat are
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authorized to accept late assignments. Assignments handed in late without the appropriate
authorization will neither be accepted nor graded.
3.
All work that is handed in must be your own. You are urged to familiarize yourself with the
University Regulations on Academic Fraud, which are reproduced in the Faculty Calendar.
Academic fraud will implicate the student in the University disciplinary process, which may
culminate in penalties ranging from loss of credits for the course to expulsion. Academic fraud will
also be reported to the Law Society of Upper Canada, which in turn may refuse admission to
practice law in the province.
4.
All grades on assignments are provisional only and are subject to adjustment prior to or
consequent upon submission of final grades to Faculty Council for approval in accordance with the
Faculty Regulations. The GPA guideline for first year courses is 6.0, or B.
Weekly Schedule
Colleen Addison’s groups
Monday
Tuesday
CML 1101 B5
(FTX 102)
8:30-10:00
CML 1101 B3
(FTX 421)
8:30-10:00
Wednesday
Thursday
CML 1101 A3
(FTX 402)
8:30-10:00
Friday
CML 1101 B2
(FTX 421)
8:30-10:00
CML 1101 A6
(FTX 359)
14:30-16:00
Alan Fleichman’s groups
Monday
Tuesday
CML 1101 A1
(FTX 402)
8:30-10:00
Thursday
Friday
Thursday
Friday
CML 1101 B4
(FTX 102)
8:30-10:00
Julie Lavigne’s groups
Monday
Tuesday
CML 1101 A5
(FTX 359)
8:30-10:00
Wednesday
CML 1101 A2
(FTX 359)
8:30-10:00
Wednesday
CML 1101 A4
(FTX 421)
8:30-10:00
CML 1101 B1
(FTX 351)
8:30-10:00
CML 1101 A7
(FTX 421)
14:30-16:00
Any changes or cancellations of sessions will be announced via e-mail (using InfoWeb) and also posted to
the course wiki at: http://legalresearchprinciples.pbworks.com/Calendar+and+Announcements.
Other Notes
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Late submissions will not be accepted unless an extension has been granted. Requests for extensions
must be sent to Academic Affairs.
Students who require accommodations or academic support because of a physical or learning disability, or
any condition that affects their ability to learn, are invited to register with Access Service:
In person: UCU 339
E-mail: adapt@uottawa.ca
Telephone: 613-562-5976
Web: www.sass.uottawa.ca/access/
TTY: 613-562-5214
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