It may be hard to distinguish by the landscape when you drive across the U.S.-Canada border, but the legal systems on either side differ in significant ways. These differences extend not only to the structure of our legal processes but also to the tools and resources available to legal professionals and citizens alike. Whether you are already involved in Foreign, Comparative, and International Law (FCIL) and want to deepen your knowledge of Canada, or you are new to FCIL and see Canada as an accessible starting point, this program is designed to meet your needs.

Presented by two Canadian law librarians working at top-tier law schools, this program will provide a comprehensive overview of the Canadian legal system.

Attendees will learn the essential background needed for researching Canadian legislation and case law, including an overview of the legislative process and the court system. The presenters will point out differences between the U.S. and Canada, and highlight open access options for finding Canadian legislation and jurisprudence, as well as key limitations in open access to legal information in Canada.

We will highlight essential research resources, including Halsbury's Laws of Canada, Barron’s Law Dictionary and specialized jurilinguistic tools, that distinguish the Canadian legal landscape. Canada is an ideal case study for FCIL due to its unique position—sharing some similarities with the American legal system but also strongly influenced by UK common law and French civil law.

Additionally, we will introduce CanLII, the Canadian Legal Information Institute, a robust, free resource that offers advanced noting-up capabilities comparable to major commercial legal databases. We will explore how open-access legal tools like CanLII support both legal professionals and the broader community, and examine the role academic libraries play in promoting these resources.

This program promises not only to be informative but will also encourage active discussion. We will facilitate engaging activities designed to spark dialogue on cross-border legal systems and the exchange of information, helping to foster greater understanding, and collaboration between Canadian and American law librarians.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Librarians working in and teaching Foreign, Comparative, and International Law (FCIL): This program is ideal for FCIL librarians who are interested in expanding their knowledge of a dual common/civil law system and bilingual legal environment. The program will be particularly beneficial for those who teach or support legal research at various levels, from first-year law students to advanced researchers and law professors.

Law Firm Librarians: Librarians working in law firms that handle multijurisdictional matters, cross-border deals, or Canadian businesses operating in the U.S. will find this session valuable. The insights provided will help them better support their firms’ legal research needs in Canadian law.

TAKEAWAYS:

1. Participants will be able to identify and utilize at least three open access research guides and secondary sources essential for Canadian legal research.
2. Participants will be able to describe the general structure of the Canadian court system and demonstrate how to locate case law.
3. Participants will be able to navigate and research Canadian legislation, including explaining the legislative process and accessing relevant statutes.

SPEAKERS:

• Erica Friesen, Lederman Law Library at Queen’s University

COORDINATOR:

• Ana Rogers, Nahum Gelber Law Library, McGill University

AALL BODY OF KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS: Research + Analysis, Teaching + Training

CANCELLATION AND OTHER POLICIES:

No refunds will be given for any purchased AALL conference recording. This applies to non-AALL members only as the recordings are free for AALL members.

The opinions shared during this program represent the views of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). Recording, capturing, or using AI tools to duplicate, transcribe, or otherwise reproduce an AALL program in any form is strictly prohibited without prior written consent from AALL. This includes, but is not limited to audio, video, or any other content shared. By accessing an AALL recording, you agree to adhere to this policy.