In this project-based course, which is as much a law clinic as a traditional course, students will work on actual trade law problems for real 'client' beneficiaries under the supervision of their professors. The practicum offers a unique opportunity for students to gain practical experience in international trade law, while at the same time enhancing their substantive legal knowledge through participation in weekly seminars. The practicum will enable students to work on a specific legal project, such as researching and preparing a legal opinion on the WTO consistency of proposed legislation, or drafting a submission in a WTO dispute for a beneficiary, such as a small business, an NGO, a union or a government. Moreover, the practicum is designed to build students' professional skills by providing training in how to interact with beneficiaries, how to work in groups with other lawyers, how to present their work effectively, and how to communicate complex legal issues to diverse audiences. The practicum also hopes to introduce students to career opportunities in international trade law by allowing them to interact with beneficiaries and mentors working in the trade law field and exposing them first-hand to the practice of international trade law in Canada and beyond. Students will work in small groups ('project teams') under the close supervision of their professors and outside experts ('mentors') on specific legal problems proposed by beneficiaries. Professors and mentors will provide substantive background instruction on the respective topics. The students will also benefit from instruction on improving their legal research and writing skills. At the end of the term, each team will present their projects to the class as well as to the beneficiary. The practicum is part of a Joint University of Ottawa-Queen's International Economic Law Clinic under the umbrella of the TradeLab network. To get an idea of the types of projects done in previous years by clinics in the network, please consult www.tradelab.org.
In this project-based course, which is as much a law clinic as a traditional course, students will work on actual trade law problems for real 'client' beneficiaries under the supervision of their professors. The practicum offers a unique opportunity for students to gain practical experience in international trade law, while at the same time enhancing their substantive legal knowledge through participation in weekly seminars. The practicum will enable students to work on a specific legal project, such as researching and preparing a legal opinion on the WTO consistency of proposed legislation, or drafting a submission in a WTO dispute for a beneficiary, such as a small business, an NGO, a union or a government. Moreover, the practicum is designed to build students' professional skills by providing training in how to interact with beneficiaries, how to work in groups with other lawyers, how to present their work effectively, and how to communicate complex legal issues to diverse audiences. The practicum also hopes to introduce students to career opportunities in international trade law by allowing them to interact with beneficiaries and mentors working in the trade law field and exposing them first-hand to the practice of international trade law in Canada and beyond. Students will work in small groups ('project teams') under the close supervision of their professors and outside experts ('mentors') on specific legal problems proposed by beneficiaries. Professors and mentors will provide substantive background instruction on the respective topics. The students will also benefit from instruction on improving their legal research and writing skills. At the end of the term, each team will present their projects to the class as well as to the beneficiary. The practicum is part of a Joint University of Ottawa-Queen's International Economic Law Clinic under the umbrella of the TradeLab network. To get an idea of the types of projects done in previous years by clinics in the network, please consult www.tradelab.org.
