Updated at: 08-03-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

For those thinking about attending law school in Canada, this article provides a comprehensive list of the best Global law schools in the country. The below rankings were calculated using data collected from the Times Higher Education Rankings, the QS Ranking for Law and Legal Studies, and each institution’s international and academic reputation.

If you’re interested in studying law, getting into one of Canada’s elite universities should be your top priority. This is because a degree from one of Canada’s elite law schools will set you up for success in a rewarding legal career.

Most of Canada’s top universities provide training in both the Canadian and American legal systems through dual degree programs. Canada’s welcoming locals, stunning scenery, and constant improvement in education have led QS World Rankings to include Canadian universities among the world’s best law schools.

A large number of Canadian universities offer law programs, with the largest concentrations in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Below is a list of the best law schools in Canada.

Top Global Law Schools In Canada 2022

Top global law schools in canada 2022

The University of Toronto

The University of Toronto

The Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto is widely regarded as among the country’s finest. The University of Toronto places a premium on academic excellence because it is consistently ranked first or second among law schools by various ranking organizations. The law program at the University of Toronto covers a wide range of topics, including legal theory, criminal law, business law, health law, and more.

The health law LLM program is widely regarded as one of the top ten in the world. University of Toronto Law School students reflect the city and the world at large in their diversity, intellect, and commitment to social justice.

The University of British Columbia

For over seven decades, the Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia has educated future lawyers, civic leaders, and current law students. The city of Vancouver, on the west coast of Canada, is home to the University of British Columbia, making it a popular choice among prospective international students. The law program at this institution not only provides students with fundamental education, but also helps them fulfill the requirements for becoming licensed to practice law in Canada. The law programs at the University of British Columbia are particularly strong in two areas: taxation and common law.

York University

Students at York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School are well-prepared for a wide range of legal careers by virtue of the school’s comprehensive, rigorous, and cutting-edge curriculum. Since its inception in 1889, this law school has consistently been ranked among Canada’s top institutions of higher legal education. Business law and common law are just two of the many legal studies options available at this university. According to the LLM Guide, Osgoode Hall Law School is one of the top ten schools in the country for alternative dispute resolution and intellectual property law.

The University of Calgary

The University of Calgary

If you’re looking for a school that embraces change and new opportunities, look no further than the University of Calgary. In addition to its excellent reputation, the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Law boasts a culturally and racially diverse student body. The University of Calgary has relatively small class sizes when compared to other Canadian law schools. This could result in more one-on-one time between teachers and their charges.

The University of Montreal

Master of Laws (LLM), Juris Doctor (JD) in North American common law, and Business Law in a Global Context are just some of the graduate programs available at the University of Montreal.

For recent law school grads looking for focused training in a shorter time frame, a 15-17 credit program is available. There is also a doctor of law degree and a joint doctor of law degree program available through the faculty in conjunction with universities in Belgium, France, and Germany.

Students have the option of participating in a variety of clinics and workshops, such as a research internship with a judge, a practicum in case management, a legal aid clinic, and an internship in the community.

McGill University

McGill University’s Faculty of Law is the oldest in all of Canada, having been established in 1848. In fact, there are written accounts of unofficial legal education events dating back to 1829.

Students who complete the BCL/JD programme at McGill University earn both a Juris Doctor and a Bachelor of Civil Law. This gives them the ability to practice law in all Canadian provinces and several US states, as well as adapt their knowledge to other jurisdictions.

Both a Doctor of Civil Law (DCL) and a Master of Laws (LLM) are available at the graduate level. The master’s degree curriculum covers a wide range of legal topics, including environmental law, bioethics, and aviation and space law.

Legal studies examine the interplay between law and other fields, such as economics, literature, sociology, philosophy, and politics, as a means of better understanding both. There are four main subfields within the study of law: the resolution of disputes; the promotion of legal pluralism and respect for human rights; the study of legal theory and comparative law; and the study of public policy.

University of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa is a leading institution in many fields. Some of the most extensive courses with a global perspective are also provided. The university is home to the Human Rights Research and Education Center, which has earned a reputation for excellence on a global scale. In addition to being a pioneer on a number of fronts, it is also home to the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law. Particular advantages accrue to the University of Ottawa because of its location in Canada’s capital, which is also home to the federal government, the Supreme Court of Canada, a number of non-governmental organizations, and a burgeoning high-tech community.

The school offers numerous “hands-on” learning opportunities at its various on-campus facilities. Experts in their fields, many of whom have won prestigious awards, often serve as faculty. With over 30 student organizations covering a wide variety of interests, students have plenty of opportunities to network with others who share their passions outside of the classroom.

The Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa is the best place in the world to study Common Law, Civil Law, and Indigenous legal traditions in either English or French. It’s right in the heart of downtown Ottawa, close to Parliament Hill and the Supreme Court of Canada, on the land that the Algonquin people have traditionally called home. Students who complete the Common Law Section’s demanding program, which places a premium on developing analytical thinking skills, may be well-prepared for practice in any Canadian or foreign court.

The Common Law Section’s faculty is comprised of a wide range of experts, including some of the most prominent figures in their respective fields. The scholarship of many of our faculty members has had a profound impact on legal education and practice in the United States and Canada. Studying law costs between $14,000 and $16,000 per year for both domestic and international students.

Dalhousie University

Dalhousie University

The beautiful and picturesque Canadian province of Nova Scotia is home to this prestigious law school. It’s not just the school’s good looks, though; the Times Higher Education ranked Dalhousie University’s law school as one of the world’s best in 2020. Clearly, this is further proof that universities represent the pinnacle of human knowledge.

Professors in the law school’s faculty come from a wide range of academic disciplines, collaborating on interdisciplinary research and curricula development projects.

Ryerson University

Ryerson University is well-known for its dedication to resolving social issues through the promotion of experiential education and professional development. This area is situated in Canada’s largest metropolis and economic hub. This is also true of the law school at Ryerson University, which received conditional accreditation from the Federation of Law Societies of Canada (FLSC) in 2017.

Students enrolled in and graduating from Ryerson University’s law program no longer need to complete the Law Practice Program because it has been approved by the Law Society of Ontario.

Western University

Located in London, Ontario, roughly in the middle of the country between Detroit and Toronto, Western University has been ranked as having one of the best law schools in Canada by Times Higher Education.

When compared to other law schools, Western University’s is the clear choice for students interested in business law. Although it did not place in the top 15 of Global law schools in Canada in 2018, this institution has made great strides in the past year, moving up to ninth place in the 2019 QS Rankings.

Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University

Students at Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law in Halifax, Nova Scotia, are known for being exceptionally upbeat and enthusiastic.

The international student body is a thriving, collaborative, and close-knit community that provides the faculty with a steady supply of youthful vigor.

The Schulich School of Law is one of Canada’s top law institutions, and it provides its students with a world-class legal education that can lead to rewarding careers anywhere in the world.

The Weldon Tradition of selfless public service, of giving back and making the world a better place, is instilled in the students of this top Canadian law school as they learn how to combine their imagination and creativity to find bold new directions.

Each year, more than 1,300 students apply to attend Schulich School of Law, but only 170 can be accepted.

Faculty of Law at Queen’s University

The academic rigor of Queen’s Law is a major factor in its reputation as one of Canada’s top law schools. In addition to researchers who are dedicated to innovation and excellence, the faculty also has access to state-of-the-art facilities.

Queen’s Law is gaining a reputation as one of Canada’s top corporate and trade law schools in addition to its strengths in criminal and family law.

Queen’s Law is home to a faculty that is constantly pushing the boundaries of knowledge and making significant strides forward in the field of law.

Despite receiving 2,700 applications annually, only 200 are accepted into Queen’s Law.

University of Alberta’s Faculty of Law

University of Alberta’s Faculty of Law

This list also includes the most prestigious law school in Western Canada. When it comes to legal education and research, few places in Canada can match the prestige of the Faculty of Law at the University of Alberta.

The Faculty has been at the forefront of legal scholarship in Canada for over a century, producing many influential figures in the field.

This law school in Canada is known for its proactive approach to identifying, understanding, and responding to the needs of its students and the evolving legal environment.

The law school at the University of Alberta produces graduates who are knowledgeable and well-rounded.

The curriculum is tailored to ensure that students acquire up-to-date knowledge of the law so that they can serve in a variety of contexts in Canada and beyond.

University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law

The Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba fosters an environment where students can learn to accept and even seek out challenges, and where they are expected to take initiative in finding and implementing solutions. Each individual contributes something special to the educational process, and together students, researchers, and graduates can make a greater impact. This is how new developments in the law are made. The Faculty has been doing this since 1914, so it must be a tradition.

The Faculty catapults students onto a global stage where imagination and action collide by shaping new ways of doing things and contributing to important conversations in topics of paramount importance (such as human rights, global health, and climate change).

FAQs

Is an SOP mandatory to seek admission to law courses?

If you want to get into one of Canada’s best universities, you’ll need to provide a Statement of Purpose along with your other application materials.

What are some of the leading companies that offer placements for law graduates in Canada?

Counsel Network, RainMaker Group, Marsden International, ZSA, etc. are among the best companies in Canada that offer placement services to recent law school graduates.

Approximately how long does it take to earn a law degree?

In Canada, students can expect to spend four years at university to earn a law degree. It is required that you earn a Bachelor of Laws from an accredited law school first.

Conclusion

With all of the excellent law schools and programs that have been highlighted here, studying law in Canada is an undeniably sound decision. Complete the necessary coursework, select a Canadian law school, and begin a new chapter in your life.

Have a good time!