Osgoode has an extensive list of partner schools with formal exchange agreements. Apart from these, there are summer programs, as well as semester exchanges with York University’s partner schools. But did you know that you can arrange your own exchange agreement with a non-partner institution? Of course it will take some leg-work, but the individualized and unique experience will be worth all the...
Hong Kong’s Social Awakening The streets of Hong Kong have been emptier as of late, from Mong Kok to Admirality. A movement for political reform that initially drew tens of thousands has been largely stifled by police presence and arrests. “Success isn’t necessarily measured in result, but in the collective social awakening, and we’ve achieved exactly that,” says Jason Y. Ng, a University of...
I was having lunch with some law school friends last semester. We were discussing some of the careers our peers had before coming to law school. I noted that one of our classmates had been a food blogger in her pre-law school life. My friend shouted, “that’s my dream job!”Her exclamation made me laugh. What on earth are you doing in law school, I thought, if you really want to be a food blogger...
In November 2014, the Canadian Forum on Civil Justice launched a new series on the A2J blog titled Access to Justice Advocates. The series is a response to recent reports that have underscored the importance of innovation and imagination in the pursuit of access to justice. At CFCJ, we understand that such efforts come down to people–to the diverse advocates working in different and...
It’s been over thirteen years since terrorism made its way into the public consciousness through the 9/11 attacks on the United States. Yet, despite tightened security, increased antipathy towards Muslims, and years of war and torture, the slew of recent terrorist activity makes it seem like the West’s attempt to subdue extremist militant behaviour has only served to alter the nature of...
I came across a story this weekend that struck me on a personal level for several unexpected reasons. The story began with a real estate listing, a semi-attached commercial space at 716 Gerrard Street East, listed for $539,000. I didn’t know the building, nor was I familiar with the area, but it was the subject of the story, the late resident of the space, that drew my attention. From the early...
Raising Awareness on Everyday Environmentally-Friendly Initiatives When Osgoode students were asked to name a sustainability initiative on campus, the majority were able to name at least one or two great projects. For instance, many knew that reusable cutlery, mugs, and plates are available in the Bistro to minimize packaging waste. But did you know that the Bistro also offers a twenty-five cent...
This week, the Obiter travels to one of the world’s oldest cities, a cradle of human history, and origin for three of the world’s most widespread faiths: the beautiful, timeless, and stately Jerusalem in Israel. Giving us a first-hand glimpse into the heart of this ancient place is Aryeh Samuel, currently in the third year of his Juris Doctor, who hails from New York and holds and undergraduate...
How did it come about, what is it doing, and where is it heading? Islamic State (IS) introduced itself to the Western world this summer through the infamous beheading videos. The official name for the group is the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) (also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the Arab acronym of Da’ish, or the self-termed IS). It is a Sunni caliphate...
The hidden discrimination against vegetarians, and why it actually matters One of the fundamental rights protected by the Charter is the right to freedom of conscience and religion. This right is so important that the Charter also prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion. And while recent case law has held that these rights do not extend to the more marginal or fringe religious sects and...
What’s at stake in the Law Library’s new policy on access? Change is afoot at Osgoode Hall. On November 17, the Law Library instituted a “restricted-access policy,” prohibiting non-Osgoode students and community members from using the Library’s study spaces for the remainder of 2014. In an email to the student body sent on November 13, Chief Law Librarian Louis...
Replacing darkness and despair with hopes of goodwill and renewed optimism As the holiday season quickly approaches, and another year slowly comes to an end, it seems only fitting to pause and reflect upon the moments that have passed us by, those we currently live in, and those yet to come. It is far too easy for us law students to narrow the perspective on our lives during this time of the year...
Spying, Sports, Showbiz – The “Dark Side” of Modern Society Citizenfour (2014) 3/4 Urgent, fascinating, and tastefully designed, Citizenfour is a primal political fable for the digital age; prosaic in its presentation, profound in its details, and perturbing in its implications. Alarming and essential, it’s a tapestry of escalating suspense; a masterful fusion of journalism and art; a rare...
Towards a Less Constitutional Constitutionalism On November 12, 2014, Stacy Douglas, assistant professor at Carleton University and constitutional scholar, visited Osgoode Hall Law School as part of the Law.Art.Culture Colloquium Series. She presented on the problem that constitutions, often considered to be the primary devices with which to construct new political communities, have a tendency to...
Food Adventure #6: BIG CROW (176 Dupont St.) Kate: Karolina and I decided that since our last brunch adventure was such a hit (though, technically, the restaurant was a miss), she would be my official brunch companion for the rest of the year. Per her suggestion, we decided to check out Big Crow, which is run by the owners of Rose and Sons and Fat Pasha in a small tent-like structure directly...
Donald Sterling’s NBA ban There had long been rumors that Donald Sterling was a racist. People who worked for him, or even simply crossed paths with him, all knew it. The NBA always knew it. But until the events of 2014 it seemed as if there was nothing that could be done about it. In February 2014 NBA commissioner David Stern retired, and was replaced by Adam Silver. Soon after taking over as...
Putin’s Struggle to Revive the Soviet State “I guess I’ll shake your hand but I have only one thing to say to you: You need to get out of Ukraine.” These were the words used by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to the President of Russia, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, in their initial meeting during the first day of the 2014 G20 summit. This was Canada’s official response to what...
The A2J Blog on the Canadian Forum on Civil Justice website features leading voices in access to justice research and advocacy. It publishes submissions from a range of individuals at the forefront of access to justice initiatives – from senior scholars to engaged law students. Recent contributors include Ab Currie (CFCJ Senior Research Fellow), JP Boyd (Executive Director of the Canadian...
The Past, Present, and Future of the Toronto Raptors on its 20th Anniversary Part 1: The Revolving Door As the Raptors enter their twentieth season, long-time armchair GMs like myself and faithful fans of the franchise can recall the painful journey that the team has taken since Toronto was awarded a National Basketball Association (NBA) team back in 1995. Over the past two decades, we had...
Part Three of Three If the Leafs are serious about changing their fortune, management needs to endure a painful full-scale rebuild. I am not suggesting that the Leafs should tank intentionally (particularly since finishing last will not ensure getting the 1st overall selection with the implementation of the draft lottery); rather, I am preaching that the organization should be patient and focus...
Giving Canada’s “Articling Crisis” Another Assessment We’ve heard it for years, we’ve given it a name now and talk about it incessantly – the “articling crisis” that haunts the halls of law schools across the nation, an unprecedented mountain the legal profession has not seen before. The worry is not as bad in first year, as everyone is just starting off fresh in building the resumes and...
OL Experience Around this time last year, myself and the other 290+ students of the Osgoode Hall Class of 2017 had the grueling task of tackling law school admissions. As we spent countless hours trying to decide exactly what a law school admissions committee would be looking for in an application, we asked past students, current students and prospective students to try to gain some...
FOOD ADVENTURE #5 – LE PETIT DÉJEUNER (191 King St. East) This week, my brunch companion was none other than the Obiter’s esteemed Editor-in-Chief, Karolina Wisniewski. After consulting a number of sources, we decided to check out Le Petit Déjeuner (LPD), a small restaurant located in St. Lawrence Market specializing in “Belgian-Canadian comfort food,” which also apparently serves the best...
Want to Win 1 of 20 Prize Packages from WestlawNext Canada?! Headphones, Portable Batteries, I-Tunes Gift Cards, USB Keys and more. Prizes packages vary. Contact ‘Christian’ for full details. This contest is only open to Osgoode Hall Law Students, and with so many prizes, your odds are great! How to Enter: Follow @WestlawCanada on Twitter (Link: ) Send the correct answer to the daily trivia...
Douglas, Ghomeshi, and Process in Sexual Assault T’was the best of times for sexual predators, t’was the worst of times for the women upon which they prey. A female judge faces removal from the bench for an incident involving nude photos which were shown and distributed online without her knowledge or consent. She has been the subject of a pernicious and protracted inquiry for over two and a half...