What is Mini-Law?
Mini-Law is an educational outreach program consisting of a series of public lectures, taught by professors of the Faculty of Law of McGill University. On Thursday evenings, beginning in October each fall, the finest legal minds of the Faculty offer mini-courses geared to giving the public a taste of legal education. The series examines the nature of law, the structure of the court system, human rights, law and ethics, criminal law, corporate responsibility, contracts, and family law.
The goal of Mini-Law is to provide the public with a greater understanding of global legal issues, legal language and legal concepts. Its focus is on providing a general overview of the legal issues surrounding the topics covered. For students currently in CEGEP or studying in an undergraduate faculty, it provides a taste of what can be expected from a legal education. For participants who do not intend to pursue a legal education, this course of study will raise awareness of the law and its impact on society.
What Mini-Law is not
Equally important is what Mini-Law is not. It is not intended to be a forum for legal advice on specific issues relevant to members of the audience. Nor is it geared to provide "how-to" rules on issues such as drafting contracts, starting legal actions, incorporating a business or getting divorced.
How each evening is structured
Each evening focuses on one topic and this year, will consist of a panel discussion offering differing opinions on the subject. The panel is then followed by a question and answer period. The semester ends with a "graduation" ceremony where students who have attended the minimum number of panel discussions receive a "diploma".
Language
The panel discussions are presented in English, although the lecturers are pleased to entertain questions in French.
