The Canadian Law concentration is designed specifically for internationally trained lawyers who aspire to practice in Canada. Offered outside regular business hours, it provides the flexibility to work full-time while earning a graduate law degree and connects you to the Canadian legal market and a network of extraordinary lawyers and professionals from around the world. The program is structured to meet the requirements of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada’s National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) for lawyers who earned their law degrees outside Canada and wish to become licensed to practice in Ontario or gain comprehensive understanding of Canadian common law.
But it offers much more than NCA preparation. Ranked #1 in Canada and among the Top 25 law schools globally by The Times Higher Education, the Faculty of Law’s GPLLM provides an opportunity to spend an intensive year learning alongside exceptionally bright and ambitious students under the guidance of our award-winning faculty.
Canadian Law in a Global Context Concentration in Numbers
28% Civil law background 72% Common law background 45% First language other than English
2024 - 2025 class profileProgram Length and Structure
Students complete ten courses over one-year (full-time) or two years (part-time). The program begins each September with students enrolled in fall, winter, and summer terms. Classes are held in-person at our downtown Toronto campus on alternating Friday evenings and Saturdays, allowing students to balance their professional responsibilities while positioning themselves for career advancement.
Patricia Anne Sayo, Lawyer and Certified Public AccountantThe GPLLM program opens a door of opportunities for internationally-trained lawyers and law graduates. One can earn a Master of Laws Degree whilst negotiating the NCA accreditation process. It is the perfect ground to immerse in a class facilitated by accomplished and passionate faculty members, alongside with individuals of different backgrounds and experiences. A remarkably enriching experience!
Kayal Mammadov, Legal Counsel at AtkinsRéalisThe GPLLM provided me with a unique pathway to transition my long career experience into the Canadian legal market, strengthened with the knowledge and skills fit for a highly competitive environment. The opportunity to learn from world-class faculty members and engage with a diverse cohort of students from around the world was an invaluable experience. The always-available administration team contributed significantly to making the intensive one-year program a highly enjoyable experience
Zainab Parvel, Associate Legal Director at AbbottAs an experienced practitioner, the prospect of going back to school was filled with trepidation. But with an amazing faculty and extremely supportive administration all my doubts were allayed. The GPLLM is the perfect program to go back to school for. An experience which is truly a class apart.
Curriculum
Beyond all required NCA courses, students can select from innovative elective courses offered across our Canadian Law, Business Law, and Innovation, Law & Technology concentrations (subject to admission requirements for the latter two).
The curriculum sequence provides logical scaffolding while ensuring students with six to eight assessed subjects can satisfy their NCA requirements as early as the end of winter term.
The program begins with a four-day Legal Methods seminar—an immersive introduction to common law and the Canadian legal system. This intensive foundation course builds confidence in discussing Canadian law with faculty and their peers, and prepares students for success throughout the program.
Students then proceed through foundational NCA-required courses:
- Foundations of Canadian Law (required)
- Professional Responsibility
- Canadian Criminal Law
- Canadian Constitutional Law
- Administrative Law
- Legal Research and Writing
The program also offers frequently assessed NCA subjects:
- Property Law
- Business Organizations
- Torts
- Contract Law
Opportunity
The GPLLM in Canadian Law sets internationally or civilly trained lawyers on the road to practicing in Canada. Supplementing their existing legal knowledge, it qualifies students to proceed with Canadian licensing procedures through their chosen law society.
Focus
Students receive a robust graduate instruction in the Canadian Common Law. Students are able to study the foundations of Canadian law and choose other courses aligned to their specific interests, such as, employment law, immigration law, the emergence of LegalTech, etc..
Outcome
In addition to allowing students to satisfy their NCA requirements, the program offers unparalleled career support through a range of services including mentorship, workshops, dedicated career planning, and personalized guidance, allowing our graduates to succeed in the legal job market.