Legal Studies
| LAW 101 | Introduction to Law | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Students will be introduced to the sources, structures, and constitutional principles of the Canadian legal system. Students will begin to critically analyse how the individual and the state intersect within the legal system. | ||
| LAW 110 | Legal Analysis | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Students will be introduced to basic legal analysis through the study of case law, legislation and secondary authorities. Students will learn to identify legal issues and rules, and how to apply rules to specific fact situations. | ||
| LAW 115 | Legal Document Processing | |
| 1.50 credits | (2,2,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Students will be introduced to word processing concepts through practical formatting and document generating applications normally part of the day to day operations in a legal office. | ||
| LAW 130 | Criminal Law | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Student will gain an understanding of the sources and developing theory of criminal law in Canada. We will take the theoretical aspects of criminal law and apply them to criminal proceedings to broaden the students understanding of the concepts involved. | ||
| LAW 139 | Practicum in Criminal Law Practice and Procedure | |
| 3.00 credits | (0,0,35) hrs | 26 wks |
| Prerequisite: LAW 101 and 130 with a minimum B grade | ||
| This is a work placement program of 52 weeks which focuses on the various processes and procedures common to the work performed by Paralegals within the BC Criminal Justice system. Pre-employment and sponsorship by the BC Criminal Justice Branch is required. The practicum must be completed within 2 years of commencement. | ||
| Note: Restricted to Criminal Law Practice and Procedure Program students only. | ||
| LAW 140 | Family Law and Procedures | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Students will learn the fundamentals of substantive family law, as well as basic divorce and child custody procedures. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the Divorce Act, Family Relations Act, Child, Family and Community Service Act, and Adoption Act. | ||
| LAW 200 | Torts I | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| The learner will be introduced to tort law through the study of case law and statutes, focusing on the law of negligence. | ||
| LAW 201 | Torts II | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: LAW 200 | ||
| In this course, students will continue an examination of tort law through the study of case law and statutes, considering a number of issues including economic negligence, occupiers' liability, nuisance, strict liability and the intentional torts. | ||
| LAW 210 | Legal Research | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Through specific research assignments and problems students will learn legal research principles and techniques required to locate relevant legislative materials, case law and secondary sources. Students will learn to solve problems using traditional research techniques and electronic sources, including online research services such as LexisNexis. | ||
| LAW 220 | Litigation Procedures I | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Students will learn the principles of a civil litigation practice in British Columbia. The course will cover chronologically the events that arise in a civil law suit in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Emphasis is on familiarization with and the use of the Rules of Court to enable the learner, under the supervision of a lawyer, to prepare documents and follow procedures required in the course of a civil action. The learner is encouraged to solve particular problems by using the Rules of Court and civil litigation precedents. | ||
| LAW 230 | Evidence | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Students will study the law of evidence, and learn to analyse and critically apply the rules of evidence through lectures and the case study method. | ||
| LAW 240 | Estates and Procedures | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Students will learn the fundamentals of substantive Estate law. As well, they will learn the formal requirements for preparing and executing wills and codicils in British Columbia, and of probate procedures (including grants of Probate and Administration, preparing an estate inventory, devolution, transmission and transfer of assets, income tax requirements, passing accounts, executor's remuneration, solicitor's remuneration, and relevant limitation dates). | ||
| LAW 300 | Contracts I | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Students will be introduced to contract law through the study of case law and statutes, focusing on the elements of a valid and enforceable contract. They will learn to critically evaluate competing theories of contractual validity, synthesize the law and apply relevant principles to fact patterns designed to develop a practical understanding of the elements of an enforceable contact. | ||
| LAW 301 | Contracts II | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: LAW 300 | ||
| Students will continue the examination of contract law by developing and applying analytical strategies to resolve practical problems through the integration of case law and statutes, considering a number of issues such as misrepresentation, interpretation, mistake and remedies. | ||
| LAW 310 | Legal Drafting | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Students will build on their theoretical knowledge of the law and develop clear and effective communication skills through drafting legal documents for use by clients of law firms, corporate employers and government. | ||
| LAW 315 | Legal Interviewing | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Students will learn to master techniques of legal interviewing through a conducting role play interviews and exercises in critical thinking and discussion about interviewing. Students will gain an understanding of the role of the Legal Assistant with regard to interviewing clients, witnesses, etc., as well as an understanding of the social and interpersonal challenges to conducting an effective legal interview. | ||
| LAW 320 | Creditors' Remedies and Procedures | |
| 3.00 credits | (6,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| This course examines pre and post judgment creditors' remedies. It will include a consideration of garnishment, execution against land and personal property, and the law of foreclosure and bankruptcy. | ||
| LAW 330 | Administrative Law | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| To provide the student with a basic understanding of the principles of administrative law, as derived from the common law and relevant statutes. | ||
| LAW 340 | Company Law | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Students will gain an understanding of company law through a critical examination of the legal principles relating to corporations. Emphasis is on the British Columbia Business Corporations Act. Also included is an overview of sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited partnerships, extra provincial companies, and regulation of the securities market. | ||
| LAW 342 | Corporate Procedures | |
| 1.50 credits | (2,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Students develop mastery of the principles of corporate procedures through a practical, problem-solving study of the incorporation and post-incorporation process. Emphasis is on B.C. Business Corporations Act. | ||
| LAW 389 | Directed Study I | |
| 3.00 credits | (0,0,4) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: 30 LAW credits and 24 general elective credits (University 100 or 200 level), including at least two English courses | ||
| This course is based on a supervised legal research project designed by the student in consultation with a faculty member, and involves 100 hours of research and study. This advanced research project will enable the student to acquire and apply legal knowledge and skills - through critical inquiry, legal research and analysis - to a complex problem in a specific field of the law. Students will learn to critically evaluate and analyze complex legal arguments, apply advanced research methods, and recognize the limits of knowledge and understanding in the law. | ||
| LAW 400 | Insurance Law I | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Students will develop an understanding of the issues central to insurance law through the application of theoretical concepts that apply to practical situations that arise in case analysis and legislation. | ||
| LAW 401 | Insurance Law II | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: LAW 400 | ||
| The purpose of this course is to provide students with a continuing understanding of the issues raised in Canadian Insurance Law, including a review of motor vehicle insurance issues and legislation governing ICBC. | ||
| LAW 420 | Litigation Procedures II | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: LAW 220 | ||
| Students will apply sound thinking to resolution of practical applications of the Rules of Court and procedures that apply to: pre-trial investigation and court applications, including interlocutory applications; preparation of Bills of Costs; foreclosure applications and procedures; Small Claims procedures. | ||
| LAW 425 | Law Office Procedures | |
| 1.50 credits | (2,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Students will develop an understanding of the fundamentals of the day-to-day running of a law office. Particular emphasis will be placed on: practice management systems used in small and large law firms; the impact of technology on the legal profession; computerized applications of law office systems; the solicitor/client relationship; the Rules of the Law Society; professional ethics and the role of the paralegal; and law office accounting procedure including the Law Society Rules on Trust Accounting. | ||
| LAW 430 | Aboriginal Law | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| To familiarize students with the main legal topics involving First Nations in British Columbia, including constitutional relations between governments, the Indian Act and Indian Band governance, citizenship, family law and adoption issues, treaty-making and lands and resources issues. | ||
| LAW 440 | Real Property | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Students will study the law relating to real property, using the case study method and through a review of legislation affecting real property, including the Land Title Act, Property Law Act and Law and Equity Act. Students will become familiar with the fundamentals of the BC Land Title System. | ||
| LAW 442 | Conveyancing Procedures | |
| 1.50 credits | (2,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Students will learn basic conveyancing procedures in BC demonstrating initiative and accountability in applying conveyancing principles to practical problem-solving exercises. | ||
| LAW 450 | Intellectual Property | |
| 3.00 credits | (4,0,0) hrs | 15 wks |
| Students will develop an understanding of the common law relating to intellectual property, as well as engage in a general review of Canadian legislation affecting intellectual property, its management and the enforcement of intellectual property rights. New issues and problems created by the Internet and e-commerce will also be examined. | ||
| LAW 489 | Directed Study II | |
| 3.00 credits | (0,0,4) hrs | 15 wks |
| Prerequisite: 30 LAW credits and 24 general elective credits (University 100 or 200 level), including at least two English courses | ||
| This course is based on a supervised legal research project designed by the student in consultation with a faculty member, and involves 100 hours of research and study. This advanced research project will enable the student to acquire and apply legal knowledge and skills - through critical inquiry, legal research and analysis - to a complex problem in a specific field of the law. Students will learn to critically evaluate and analyze complex legal arguments, apply advanced research methods, and recognize the limits of knowledge and understanding in the law. | ||
| LAW 499 | Practicum | |
| 3.00 credits | (0,0,4) hrs | 15 wks |
| Students will be assisted in obtaining a paid practicum placement. Students will participate in the following instructional sessions: resume and cover letter preparation; interviewing techniques; and practicum search and follow-up. The student will complete a 6 month (5 full working days/week) paid practicum in a law firm, government law department, corporate law department or other law related employment as approved by the practicum instructor and the coordinator. The practicum employer will provide meaningful projects appropriate for an entry-level paralegal designed to encourage personal responsibility, independent problem solving and the application of high ethical standards. During practicum the student must be supervised a lawyer. | ||