The NCA Challenge Exam Preparation program is designed to assist internationally trained lawyers in their preparation for nine of the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) Challenge Examinations.
The National Committee on Accreditation is a standing committee of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada mandated to assess the legal education and practical experience of those who obtained their law degree outside of Canada or in a Canadian civil law program. After the NCA has assessed the credentials, an applicant may be asked to complete one or more challenge examinations within a prescribed period of time.
Overview
The NCA Exams Preparation program is designed to assist internationally trained lawyers in preparation for nine (9) of the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) Challenge Examinations.
NCA exams include the following subjects: Remedies, Torts, Business Organizations, Civil Procedure, Taxation, Family Law, Contract Law, Evidence, Property Law, Trusts, and Commercial Law. For more information, please visit the Federation of Law Societies of Canada website.
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Admission Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be proficient in English (please see policy 1002); and
- Have a law degree from a country outside of Canada; or have had (or are in the process of having) their legal credentials assessed by the NCA.
Program Formats and Duration
Formats
This program is offered in a LIVE online format through face to face instructor-led webinars using Adobe Connect and Google Apps.
Duration
360 hours (9 courses, 40 hours each).
- Note: Students can register for each course individually.
Upcoming Dates
LIVE Online
Part-time Program:
- Start date: November 14, 2017
- Webinars are held every Tuesday and Thursday, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Individual Courses:
- Canadian Professional Responsibility: November 14, 2017 – December 14, 2017
- Business Organizations: December 19, 2017 – January 25, 2018
- Contract Law: January 30, 2018 – March 1, 2018
- Torts: March 6, 2018 – April 5, 2018
- Property Law: April 10, 2018 – May 10, 2018
- Foundations of Canadian Law: May 15, 2018 – June 24, 2018
- Canadian Administrative Law: June 19, 2018 – July 19, 2018
- Canadian Constitutional Law: July 24, 2018 – August 23, 2018
- Canadian Criminal Law: Start dates coming soon. Please contact us to be added to the wait list.
Course Descriptions
Foundations of Canadian Law (40 hours)
This course serves as an introduction to the Canadian legal system and the role of law in Canadian society as addressed in the relevant NCA examination. The basic institutions and methods of the Canadian legal system are examined. The main institutions of law and government are addressed as well: Parliament, Executive, and the Judiciary. Particular attention is paid to the history and structure of the Canadian legal system.
Canadian Administrative Law (40 hours)
This course provides students with knowledge of the role of administrative law in structuring and controlling the government’s exercise of power as addressed in the relevant NCA examination. This course also reviews the theory and practice of administrative bodies such as the Crown, municipalities, government departments and administrative tribunals created to carry out government functions. The course also examines the division between private and public law; when government may be subject to private law rules; and the manner of judicial review of administrative decisions.
Canadian Constitutional Law (40 hours)
This course focuses on the basic principles of Canadian Constitutional law as addressed in the relevant NCA examination. It provides the context within which to appreciate what the Canadian Constitution is and some of the values it espouses. Issues surrounding principles of Canadian Constitutional law, the elements of federalism, and the protection of individual rights and freedoms are examined.
Canadian Criminal Law (40 hours)
This course explores the Canadian criminal law system with particular emphasis on the Criminal Code as addressed in the relevant NCA examination. Students examine the basic principles and concepts of Criminal Law, particularly the categories of crime, elements of offences required for conviction, and defences available to accused. The course also explores criminal court processes and procedures and the Charter of Rights.
Canadian Professional Responsibility (40 hours)
This course introduces students to the analysis of ethical issues that individual lawyers face in various practice settings as addressed in the relevant NCA examination. Some of the issues that are addressed include the self-regulation of the legal profession and access to justice. Issues in the lawyer-client relationship are also dealt with, such as competence, confidentiality, conflicts of interest and ethical contexts such as criminal practice, government and corporate law.
Business Organizations (40 hours)
This course provides an introduction to the various ways of structuring a business and examines legal issues impacting different business structures as addressed in the relevant NCA examination. Students are provided with an understanding of the basic principles of modern business corporations law in light of the current statutory regimes and evolving case law. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of the business corporation in modern society, and on the functions and responsibilities of the officers, directors, and shareholders in the context of different corporate transactions.
Contract Law (40 hours)
In this course students study the concepts that underlie contractual obligations and examine contract law in Canada in its social and political context as addressed in the relevant NCA examination. This course facilitates the acquisition of legal skills to analyse and apply the law of contract. This involves developing the ability to analyse and evaluate judicial opinions, statutory provisions and contractual clauses.
Torts (40 hours)
This course introduces students to the principles that govern different aspects of tort law as addressed in the relevant NCA examination. Most of tort litigation involves an allegation of negligence and, accordingly, much of this course is spent discussing the tort of negligence, both as a nominate tort and as the cause of various forms of loss including pure economic loss.
Property Law (40 hours)
This course involves the study of basic principles which govern the institution of real and personal property as addressed in the relevant NCA examination. Included in this analysis is the history of property law and issues of social and political context. Other topics include rights incidental to the ownership and possession of land, tenures and estates, concurrent ownership, dower, leases and tenancies, easements, restrictive covenants, finders law, bailment, and gifts.
Fees
Full program
All formats of the program are eligible for Canada Student Loans, other forms of government funding, and bank financing. However, students are responsible for making their own funding arrangements and are advised to contact the relevant funder well in advance of the start date to make an application.
Application and tuition fees for this program are as follows:
- Application fee: $150 (Domestic Students) or $200 (International Students)
- Tuition fee: $8,350
Individual Courses
The tuition fee for individual courses is $930 per course.
Please note that individual courses are not eligible for student loan funding.
Note: Tuition fees do not include the cost of required textbooks.
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