The David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights is devoted to advocacy, research and education in the area of constitutional rights in Canada. Its cornerstone is a legal clinic bringing together students, faculty and members of the bar to work on significant constitutional cases. Appellate level cases that invoke the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in innovative ways to promote social justice will be selected. It is expected that students will have the opportunity to work alongside practitioners and faculty in developing written and oral arguments, for academic credit. Daily casework could include case theory formulation, constitutional legal research, appellate brief and factum writing and attendance at oral argument. Given the limited number of cases that arise in this area, projects may also include policy advocacy and research along with public legal education.

Substantive and procedural issues arising in advocating for constitutional rights will be explored through seminars and experiential learning. You will be exposed to skills-building seminars and case work and explore some of the legal, procedural, strategic, ethical and theoretical dimensions of issues that arise in cases and other forms of legal advocacy.

Applying to Participate in the Clinical Program

Pre-requisite: While there is not a pre-requisite for this course other than first year Introduction to Constitutional Law or its equivalent, prior completion of an upper-year course in Constitutional Law or Human Rights Law is very strongly preferred. Candidates may be considered if they can demonstrate equivalent experience and familiarity with human rights issues.

Note:

  • Enrollment in ALL the clinics for credit is limited to upper year students.
  • Interested students must apply to the appropriate clinic prior to the deadline for course selection in July.
  • If necessary, students will be interviewed for the available positions.
  • Exchange Students are not eligible to participate in clinics.

To apply for this course, you must email a 1-2 page statement of interest and state:

  1. previous upper-year courses in constitutional law or human rights law or experience that you consider to be equivalent;
  2. indicators of academic, analytical and research and writing ability, which may include grades in related classes;
  3. any experience in human rights or constitutional issues;
  4. any experience with lawyering or advocacy;
  5. why you wish to enroll in the Clinic.

Contact us

David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights
University of Toronto, Faculty of Law
39 Queen's Park
Toronto, Ontario  M5S 2C3
Email: cheryl.milne@utoronto.ca