This workshop series brings leading legal and political philosophers from around the world to present their work in progress to the Faculty, providing a forum for both faculty and students to discuss central topics in legal theory. The workshop is committed to a generous and pluralistic view of theory.
Some of our speakers have presented work on general philosophical questions about the law, such as questions about the nature of law and legal authority or the legitimacy of judicial review. Other speakers have presented on issues of philosophical interest that arise within quite specific areas of the law, such as questions about criminal responsibility, about the proper interpretation of constitutional rights, or about the purpose of tort law.
Past Workshop participants have included: Stephen Darwall, John Goldberg, Deborah Hellman, Thomas Hill, Frances Kamm, Will Kymlicka, Stephen Perry, Jerry Postema, Scott Shapiro, and Wil Waluchow, among others.
The Legal Theory Workshop is not open to the general public. We welcome individuals affiliated with the Faculty of Law and closely related departments, including political science, philosophy, criminology, history and the Centre for Ethics. All other individuals interested in attending must seek prior approval from the organizers of the workshop.
The Legal Theory Workshop is part of the Faculty of Law Colloquium. Please click here for the 2025-26 schedule.