Université de Moncton École de droit

Université de Moncton École de droit, also referred to in English-language sources as the Université de Moncton Faculty of Law, is the law school of Université de Moncton in New Brunswick, Canada. Established in 1978, it was created to address the needs of francophone New Brunswickers and other Canadians who wanted to study Canadian common law in French. Its institutional role reflects New Brunswick’s distinctive linguistic and legal context: the province is constitutionally bilingual and contains a substantial francophone population, while its private-law tradition is based on common law rather than Quebec’s civil-law system. The school is distinguished by its fully French-language common-law curriculum. It is described as the first law school of its kind and one of only two institutions in the world offering common-law legal education entirely in French, the other being the French-language section of the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law. This combination of language and legal tradition gives the school a specialized position within Canadian legal education. It prepares students for legal study and professional practice in jurisdictions across Canada where common law applies, while also supporting access to legal education for francophone communities. Its principal professional degree is the Juris Doctor, formerly designated the Bachelor of Laws. The school also offers graduate and combined-program options. These include the Master of Laws, as well as joint programs pairing the J.D. with a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Public Administration, or a master’s degree in environmental studies. Students who already hold a Canadian civil-law qualification, such as an LL.L. or B.C.L., may complete a shortened common-law pathway leading to a J.D. The school also offers a Diplôme d’études en common law for international students seeking an introduction to the common-law tradition. Admission is based on a broader assessment than a single standardized test. Factors identified in reference material include academic performance, extracurricular involvement, an interview, a questionnaire, and reference letters. French proficiency is essential because instruction is conducted entirely in French. Unlike many Canadian common-law programs, the school does not require applicants to submit an LSAT result, although an LSAT score may be considered when supplied. The faculty has contributed graduates and faculty members to public life, the judiciary, politics, legal practice, and professional representation. Michel Bastarache, who later served as a puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, was among the school’s early deans. Notable alumni include former New Brunswick premiers Bernard Lord and Brian Gallant, Manitoba Court of Appeal Chief Justice Marianne Rivoalen, and hockey player agent J. P. Barry. Notable former faculty members include James E. Lockyer, a former New Brunswick minister of justice, and Serge Rousselle, who served as New Brunswick’s attorney general and minister of education and early childhood development. The school’s identity is therefore based less on commercial branding than on its public educational mission: French-language professional training in Canadian common law, with programs designed for students from New Brunswick, other Canadian provinces, and abroad.

Université de Moncton École de droit was established in 1978 as part of Université de Moncton’s response to the linguistic and legal needs of New Brunswick. The province’s francophone population required access to professional legal education in French, but students intending to practise outside Quebec generally needed training in common law rather than Quebec’s civil-law system. The school was consequently organized around French-language instruction in the common-law tradition. This mission made the school unusual within Canada and internationally. Its curriculum combines the language of New Brunswick’s francophone community with the legal framework used in most Canadian provinces. Reference material describes it as the first, and one of only two, law schools in the world to offer common-law legal education entirely in French. The other identified institution is the French-language law program at the University of Ottawa. Michel Bastarache, later a puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, served as one of the institution’s early deans. His later judicial career is illustrative of the school’s connection to Canadian public law and institutions, although the faculty’s broader contribution extends through graduates working in government, courts, private practice, advocacy, business, and professional sports representation. The school’s degree portfolio developed beyond the basic professional law qualification. The J.D., previously known as the LL.B., remains the principal professional program. Graduate and interdisciplinary options include the LL.M., a J.D.-MBA, a J.D.-Master of Public Administration, and a J.D.-Master of Environmental Studies. The faculty also provides a route for Canadian civil-law graduates to complete two additional semesters of common-law study toward a J.D., and a Diplôme d’études en common law for international students who want structured exposure to common-law principles. Admissions emphasize academic achievement together with extracurricular activities, an interview, a written questionnaire, and reference letters. French-language ability is required because teaching takes place entirely in French. The program does not require the LSAT, though applicants may provide a score for consideration. This approach supports the school’s distinctive educational purpose while maintaining a multi-factor assessment of applicants. The institution’s alumni and faculty have included senior public officials and judges. Bernard Lord and Brian Gallant, both former premiers of New Brunswick, studied at the school. Marianne Rivoalen became chief justice of the Manitoba Court of Appeal, and J. P. Barry became a professional hockey player agent. Former faculty members listed in reference material include James E. Lockyer, a former New Brunswick justice minister, and Serge Rousselle, who served as attorney general and minister of education and early childhood development. The school remains an active component of Université de Moncton and continues to represent the intersection of French-language higher education and Canadian common-law training.

• 1978

  Faculty established

  [1]Université de Moncton Faculty of Lawen.wikipedia.org

  Université de Moncton established its law faculty to provide French-language common-law education for New Brunswick and other Canadian francophone students.

A specialized Canadian law school providing common-law education entirely in French, with a mission focused on francophone access to legal training in bilingual New Brunswick and throughout Canada.

• Professional law degree

  Juris Doctor

  The school’s principal professional qualification in Canadian common law. The degree was formerly awarded as an LL.B. and is taught entirely in French. It is intended for students seeking a foundation for legal practice and further legal training in common-law jurisdictions across Canada.

• Graduate law degree

  Master of Laws

  A graduate-level legal program providing advanced study in law beyond the professional J.D. The reference material identifies the LL.M. as one of the faculty’s available degrees, but does not specify its current specializations or delivery structure.

• Combined degree programs

  Joint J.D. programs

  Interdisciplinary programs combine the J.D. with graduate study in business administration, public administration, or environmental studies. The identified combinations are J.D.-MBA, J.D.-MAP, and J.D.-MEE, enabling students to connect legal training with organizational, public-sector, or environmental expertise.

• Advanced-entry law program

  Civil-law graduate entry to J.D.

  Students who already hold a Canadian civil-law degree, such as an LL.L. or B.C.L., can complete two semesters at the school to obtain a J.D. This pathway adds common-law training to an existing civil-law qualification.

• International legal studies diploma

  Diplôme d’études en common law

  A diploma program for international students seeking an understanding of the common-law tradition. It extends the school’s French-language common-law mission beyond the standard professional degree audience.

1. 1Université de Moncton Faculty of Lawen.wikipedia.org