Last updated 8 August 2025
- Introductory Notes
- Essential Links
- Section 1: General Regulations of the Faculty of Law
- Section 2: Resolution of the Faculty Council on Committee Membership
- Section 3: Faculty Academic Regulations
- Section 4: Faculty Examination Regulations
- Section 5: Student Assessment Policy
- Section 6: Policy Regarding Language of Examinations
- Section 7: Faculty Regulations Regarding Third Party Re-Reads
- Section 8: Policy Regarding Classes Scheduled on Religious Holy Days
- Section 9: Faculty Policy Regarding Course Auditing
- Section 10: Miscellaneous
Introductory Notes
The Policy on Assessment of Student Learning, or PASL, was introduced at the overall University level and voted into place May 2022. These regulations will take full effect at the University level Fall 2024. Many changes were made to the Faculty of Law Regulations based on PASL and any reference to a PASL-based change will be indicated with a link to the change as well as the text of PASL. Read PASL here.
- This Faculty of Law鈥檚 Academic Regulations, Resolutions and Policies have been prepared to make available to all members of the community, a range of information relating to academic activities and taking place throughout the year.
- The appropriate organs and officers of the Faculty and the University may make changes from time to time to any of the regulations and other materials contained on the Faculty of Law regulations and policy webpages. Any Faculty regulation or amendment thereto is sufficiently promulgated by publication on the Faculty of Law website.
- While an effort has been made to collect relevant material for inclusion on this webpage, other Faculty resolutions and policy statements are posted from time to time on the Faculty of Law Website.
- Students and instructors are expected to be familiar with the content of University regulations and policies. Students and instructors are expected to also be familiar with the content of the Faculty of Law regulations and policies. Any updates to the regulations and policies are published annually and are posted on the Faculty of Law website.
- 51吃瓜网 and the Faculty of Law value academic integrity, which is fundamental to achieving our mission of the advancement of learning. Students are urged to consult the 51吃瓜网website on academic integrity at . This website, which is a resource for faculty and students, is intended to promote academic integrity at 51吃瓜网by providing information about the meaning of integrity, about how to foster it, and about the consequences of breaching it.
- University regulations and policies are consistent with Faculty regulations and policies and where Faculty regulations and policies are silent, University regulations and policies govern.
Essential Links
Former Version: Faculty of Law Handbook (2020-2021)
Section 1: General Regulations of the Faculty of Law
Adopted
(a) by Faculty Council: 29 January 1981
(b) by Faculty: 12 February 1981
(c) by Senate: 13 May 1981
Amendments
See Amendments to Faculty Regulations
Regulation 1
(a) The Faculty Council shall be composed of:
(i) the Faculty as defined by article 7.2 of the University Statutes (all Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors and full-time University Lecturers and Faculty Lecturers authorized to offer courses of instruction within the Faculty of Law); and
(ii) The Law Librarian (if not a member of the Faculty), the Assistant Dean for Admissions and Recruitment (if not a member of the Faculty), the Assistant Dean (Students) or their delegate, the Assistant Dean for Strategic Planning, and those Sessional Lecturers elected to membership pursuant to article 7.3 of the University Statutes; and
(iii) five students in the Faculty of Law, elected to membership pursuant to article 7.3 of the University Statutes, and chosen as follows:
(aa) one student shall be the President of the Law Students Association, ex officio;
(bb) two students shall be Vice-Presidents of the Law Students Association;
(cc) two students shall be officers of the Graduate Law Students Association.
(iv) an additional number of students registered for the combined degrees of Bachelor of Civil Law and Juris Doctor, elected to membership pursuant to article 7.3 of the University Statutes, and chosen as follows:
(aa) for each complete group of four members of the Faculty Council under sub-sections (i) and (ii) of Regulation 1(a) in excess of twenty, present and voting in any particular year, one student shall be elected by the whole of the body of students registered whether for the combined degrees of Bachelor of Civil Law and Juris Doctor.
(b) However, the Faculty Council shall be composed only of the persons contemplated in sub-sections (i) and (ii) of Regulation 1(a) in the following cases:
(i) when dealing, otherwise than by way of the making of recommendations of general policy or the enactment of general regulations, with any matter relating to marks, the standing and promotion of students, the setting, grading and administration of examinations, or the awarding of prizes, scholarships, bursaries and other awards; or
(ii) when dealing, otherwise than by way of the making of recommendations of general policy, with the recruitment, promotion and terms of contract of members of the academic staff.
Regulation 2
The Faculty Council shall have authority to deal with all matters which, under the University Statutes, may be properly dealt with by the Faculty of Law, except matters contemplated in article 7.3 of the University Statutes, which shall be dealt with by the Faculty as defined by article 7.2 of those Statutes.
Regulation 3
(a) Meetings of the Faculty Council shall be open except when dealing with any matter contemplated by Regulation 1(b).
(b) Nevertheless, the Faculty Council may vote to close any meeting or part thereof.
(c) In addition, the presiding member may require any person attending a meeting to withdraw if this is considered necessary to keep order.
(d) All meetings shall be available for attendance online in addition to in-person, unless in-person attendance is not possible due to health or other reasons.
Regulation 4
Faculty Council shall be convened by the Dean
(i) at the Dean's discretion; or
(ii) if it has not met during a calendar month within the academic session, during the subsequent calendar month upon the request of three members of the Faculty Council.
Regulation 5
(a) The agenda for meetings of the Faculty Council shall be prepared and circulated by the Dean, and shall consist of
(i) items determined by the Dean;
(ii) such other items as are proposed by any member of Faculty Council; and
(iii) set out an electronic link for members and observers (subject to Regulation 1(b)) to attend the meeting.
(b) Faculty Council may amend the agenda.
Regulation 6
The Dean or the Dean's delegate shall preside at meetings of Faculty Council.
Regulation 7
A quorum of Faculty Council shall consist of one-half of the members thereof. Quorum is determined on the basis of all eligible members of Faculty Council who are present in-person or online. A meeting that commences quorate does not become inquorate by departures before adjournment. A meeting adjourns on a duly passed motion.
Regulation 8
(a) Decisions of the Faculty Council shall be taken by majority vote of members present in person or online.
(b) In the event of a tie vote, the presiding member shall have an additional or casting vote.
Regulation 9
(a) The presiding member shall recognize as speakers
(i) any member of Faculty Council; and
(ii) upon the request of a member of Faculty Council, a member of a committee of Faculty Council, when Faculty Council is discussing a report, recommendation or motion arising from the committee of which the proposed speaker is a member.
Regulation 10
(a) The following standing committees of Faculty Council are established:
(i) the Undergraduate Admissions Committee
(ii) the Graduate Studies Committee
(iii) the Library Committee
(iv) the Curriculum Committee
(v) the Examination Committee
(vi) the Staff Appointments Committee
(vii) the Promotions and Renewal of Appointments Committee
(viii) the Equity Committee
(b) Faculty Council may establish such other committees as it may from time to time determine.
Regulation 11
(a) The Dean shall be, ex officio, a member of all committees.
(b) Subject to any resolution of Faculty Council, the Dean shall determine the composition, membership and Chair of all committees. Student members of Faculty Council committees are appointed subject to the
(i) As per by-law 7 of the LSA Constitution: appointments of the LSA - this by-law applies to every position on the standing committees of Faculty Council.
Regulation 12
(a) The eligibility of students to serve as members of Faculty Council committees shall be determined in accordance with Regulation 1(b).
(b) The ratio of students to Faculty on committees on which they are eligible to serve shall be not less than 1:4.
Regulation 13
Regulations 2 through 8 shall apply mutatis mutandis to committees and committee meetings.
Regulation 14
To the extent permitted by the University Statutes, and subject to approval by Senate where required by the University Statutes, Faculty Council, composed pursuant to Regulation 1(a) or 1(b), or Faculty, as defined in Regulation 1(a)(i) (as the case may be), may amend these Regulations.
Section 2: Resolution of the Faculty Council on Committee Membership
Review Committee Memberships with Dean - Note
Adopted
(a) by Faculty Council: 29 January 1981
(b) by Faculty: 12 February 1981
(c) by Senate: 13 May 1981
Amendments
See Amendments to Faculty Regulations
Standing Committees of Faculty Council shall be composed of the Dean, ex officio, and of the following additional members:
Committee 1: The Undergraduate Admissions Committee
(a) no more than 12 members of the Faculty;
(b) no more than 4 undergraduate students;*
(c) the Assistant Deans for Admissions and Recruitment and for Black and Indigenous Flourishing
*Students shall be appointed by the Law Students Association at McGill, in consultation with the Assistant Dean for Admissions. To be eligible to serve on the Admissions Committee, students must be in the final year of their studies in the BCL/JD programme.
Committee 2: The Graduate Studies Committee
(a) no more than 5 members of the Faculty;
(b) the President of the Graduate Law Students Association, and the Vice-President Academic of the Graduate Law Students Association or their delegates.*
(c) Graduate Student Affairs Administrator
*graduate students participate in all decisions except for admissions and student-specific questions
Committee 3: The Library Committee
(a) no more than 5 members of the Faculty;
(b) 1 undergraduate student;
(c) 1 graduate student;
(d) the Law Librarian or the Law Librarian's delegate;
Committee 4: The Curriculum Committee
(a) no more than 5 members of the Faculty;
(b) 3 undergraduate students;
(c) 1 graduate student;
(c) the Associate Dean (Academic);
(d) The Associate Dean (Graduate Studies);
(e) The Assistant Dean (Students), ex officio.
Committee 5: The Examination [and Evaluation] Committee
(a) one member of the full-time Faculty;
(b) the Associate Dean (Academic), ex officio;
(c) The Assistant Dean (Students) or their delegate;
(d) the Vice-President (Academic) of the Law Students Association or their delegate;
(e) the Vice-President (Academic) of the Graduate Law Students Association or their听delegate.
Committee 6: The Staff Appointments Committee
(a) no more than 3 members of the Faculty;
(b) 1 undergraduate student;
Committee 7: The Promotions and Renewal of Appointments Committee
(a) no more than 3 members of the Faculty;
(b) 1 undergraduate student.
Committee 8: The Equity Committee
(a) 2 members of the Faculty;
(b) 2 members of administrative staff
(c) 3 undergraduate students
(d) 1 graduate student
Section 3: Faculty Academic Regulations
|
Quick Access to Academic Regulations by Heading: Degree Requirements听(Regs. 1 - 10) |
Consolidated
Spring 1982
Amendments
See Amendments to Faculty Regulations
Degree Requirements
Regulation 1: The 51吃瓜网Programme
The University grants, with the program of law studies, the Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.) and the Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degrees concurrently to candidates who have successfully completed 105 credits in accordance with the following regulations. Students pursuing an additional program such as majors, minors, honours and joint degrees are subject to specific rules and credit requirements. The course of study requires full-time attendance for at least three academic years.
Regulation 2: B.C.L. or LL.B. degree only
Deleted 13 November 1999.
Regulation 3: Per term credit minima and maxima
Full-time attendance at the Faculty obliges candidates to register for no fewer than twelve credits in each term, with the exception of their final term should a lesser number of credits be required to obtain their degrees.
Candidates may register for a maximum of eighteen credits in any term (excluding the summer term, where the maximum is 14 credits).
Regulation 4: Concurrent enrolment in Bar program
No candidates are permitted to be enrolled concurrently in the programs of the Faculty of Law and a professional training program of any Bar, whether this program consists of a course of lectures or a period of articling. Where students are found to be in breach of this regulation, the
Dean may require them to withdraw from the Faculty of Law.
Regulation 5: Five-year limit
To be eligible for their degrees, candidates must complete the required number of credits within five years of their first registration in first year, subject to Faculty Regulations on Part-Time Study.
Regulation 6: Leaves of Absence
Under special circumstances, candidates who have interrupted their studies after having completed at least 33 credits arising out of courses given in the Faculty may be permitted by the Dean or the Dean鈥檚 delegate to continue their studies. In such event, the period of interruption shall not be included in the calculation of the five-year period.
Regulation 7: Transfer students
Candidates applying for transfer to 51吃瓜网from other law faculties are required to successfully complete a minimum of 75 credits arising out of courses given in the Faculty in order to obtain both B.C.L. and J.D. degrees.
Regulation 8: Visiting students
Under special circumstances, candidates having completed at least thirty three credits out of courses given by the Faculty may apply for permission to fulfill up to thirty credits at another law faculty.
Regulation 9: Outside credits
A limited number of the credits required for the B.C.L. and J.D. degrees may be obtained in appropriate courses given by other law faculties, by other faculties of 51吃瓜网 or by other universities, as arranged from time to time, provided approval, where needed, has been granted prior to registration for any courses given rise to such credits, in accordance with the Faculty Policy on Outside Credits. Unless they are participating in an approved exchange or study abroad program, students may obtain a maximum of 12 outside credits to count towards their B.C.L. and J.D. degrees: 6 outside law credits and 6 outside non-law credits. Students who participate in an approved exchange or study abroad program may obtain a maximum of 21 outside credits to count towards their degrees: 15 exchange/study abroad (law) credits and 6 outside credits (law and/or non-law credits).
Regulation 10: Double crediting of course
Unless double crediting is permitted under an approved joint program, candidates shall not receive credit for any course taken in fulfilment of requirements for any other degree.
Course Selection and Registration
Regulation 11: Early course selection
Candidates shall make their course selections for the entire academic year within the delays established by the Faculty. Once the delays for course selections have expired, changes are permitted only under Regulation 12, or if these become necessary as a consequence of special circumstances such as the results of supplemental examinations and re-reads (which may render a candidate ineligible for the course), course cancellations, the addition of a new course, or time-table conflicts.
Regulation 12: Course change Period
Candidates may add or drop courses without penalty via MINERVA during the University鈥檚 designated add/drop period at the beginning of each term. Students are urged strongly to verify the exact dates which will be found in the University鈥檚 e-calendar. This information is also available
on the Faculty of Law鈥檚 Webpage.
Regulation 13: Prescribed programs
The Faculty shall prescribe the program of candidates who do not make their course selections within the specified delays.
Examination, Term Papers and Essays
Regulation 14: Modes of assessment
(a) The work done by candidates in any given course may be assessed on
the basis of examinations, papers, essays or class, group or tutorial participation, or any other academic activity.
(b) However, all candidates shall be given the same options of assessment where there is more than one type of assessment, and all undergraduate law students shall be subjected to at least one common type of assessment, other than class participation for at least fifty percent of the final grade. Permission of the Dean or the Dean鈥檚 delegate may be obtained for divergence from this rule in the case of disabled students. This rule applies only to 51吃瓜网undergraduate law students.
(c) As an exception to 14(b), in courses in which the method of evaluation (MOE) satisfies the Minimum Writing Requirement in the BCL/JD program, the instructor may offer an alternative method of evaluation, of equal pedagogical value, that does not satisfy that requirement. Students will be informed of the maximum number of students in the course who may opt for the MOE that satisfies the Minimum Writing Requirement early in the course registration process.
Regulation 15: Joint work
If an assessment is not expressly stated to be completed as a group, it is an individual assessment.
See PASL 4.3(a)
Regulation 16: First year Courses
Repealed February 10, 2006.
Regulation 17: Awarding of academic credit
Academic credits are awarded upon examination or otherwise only where candidates have properly registered for the same.
Regulation 18: Use of written Material
Students registered in the Faculty, and others attending its lectures, seminars or other courses, are taken to agree to reasonable pedagogical use within the Faculty of written assignments and examination answers.
Regulation 19: Identification of candidates
Essays and other papers are written under the name of each candidate. Written examinations are anonymous, according to the procedure established by Faculty.
Regulation 20: Language of evaluation
Examinations, term papers and essays may be written in either English or French. Participation in Moot Courts may also be in either language. While examination questions are set in the language in which a course is given, they may contain materials in either English or French.
Regulation 21: Sickness during examination
By commencing to write any examination, candidates waive the right to plead any grounds which would entitle them to a deferred examination, unless these occur during the course of the examination.
Regulation 22: Examination Regulations
The Faculty follows, except in minor detail, the University Examination Regulations. The University Examination Regulations, as amended, are posted prior to each examination period in the Faculty. Candidates in breach of any Faculty or University Regulation respecting examinations, term papers and essays shall be liable to any academic or disciplinary sanctions then in force in the University in addition to any academic sanction imposed by the Faculty.
Regulation 23: Examination Sessions
There are three general examination sessions in the academic year: one regular session at the end of each term and one supplementary session to be held preceding the start of the fall term.
Regulation 24: Duration of written examinations
Written examinations shall have a maximum duration of three and one half hours inclusive of reading time. Take-home examinations may have a longer duration.
Regulation 25: Oral examinations
Oral examinations shall be jointly conducted by the examiner and the co-examiner and the grade shall be given by the examiner in consultation with the co-examiner.
Regulation 26: Essays, theses, papers: plagiarism
In the absence of the express prior permission of the Faculty, a thesis, essay or paper is submitted on the basis that the candidate is its sole author, and that it has not been and is not concurrently being submitted to any other faculty or university for any degree, diploma, or certificate, or for credit towards the same, or to this Faculty for any other course.
Regulation 27: Deadlines and late submission of written work
Writing assignments that form part of a course that account for 50% or more of the final grade, or that are written independently for credit as a term essay, must be due on the fifth working day prior to the last working day of the examination period of the term for which they are being written. For the purposes of this calculation, the final day of the examination period counts as one of the five working days.
(a) The previous provision is in addition to, and does not derogate from, PASL s. 6.7 which is reproduced below.
(b) No assessment tasks shall be due between the next working day after the last day of classes and the fifth working day prior to the last working day of the examination period
(c) Late assignments 鈥� in the absence of an SAO approved accommodation or extension, any required assignment submitted after its due date shall be assessed a penalty of one grading unit per day late.
| PASL 6.7 |
|---|
|
In-term assessment tasks must not have due dates scheduled in the last 10 working days of classes as specified in the University Calendar, except in these cases:
|
Evaluation of Studies
Regulation 28: Faculty Grading Scale
In order to obtain credit for their courses, candidates must obtain a passing grade. The following grades are awarded by the Faculty:
| Passing grades: | A A- B+ B B- C+ C D (for complementary and elective courses) P |
| Failing grades: | D (for required courses) F |
Regulation 29: Courses at 51吃瓜网Faculties
Where a course is taken at 51吃瓜网, but outside the Faculty of Law, the marking system used in evaluating studies shall be that of the Faculty of Law.
Regulation 30: Courses at other universities
Where an approved course is taken outside the University, transfer credits are awarded without grades.
Regulation 31: Posting of Grades
Grade distributions are posted on Minerva following ratification by Faculty Council at its sessional Marks Meeting. All students may then access their grades via MINERVA.
Regulation 32: Re-reads of failing papers and exams
Repealed April 10, 2024.
Regulation 33: Grade points
Grade points are awarded as follows:
| Grade | Grade Points in course |
| A A- B+ B B- C+ C D F |
4.00 grade points (per credit) 3.70 grade points (per credit) 3.30 grade points (per credit) 3.00 grade points (per credit) 2.70 grade points (per credit) 2.30 grade points (per credit) 2.00 grade points (per credit) 1.00 grade points (per credit) 0.00 grade points (per credit) |
Regulation 34: Grade point Average
Academic standing and final honours in the degree programs are awarded on the basis of the cumulative grade point average (C.G.P.A.).
The C.G.P.A. is calculated by multiplying the number of grade points obtained in each course by the number of credits allotted to that course, adding all the products so obtained, and dividing that total by the sum of the credits which the candidate attempted to earn. This calculation is to exclude all courses in which the candidate obtained a P.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this regulation, the sessional and cumulative G.P.A. of a student on probation or of a student intending to graduate shall be calculated as provided in Regulation 51.
Regulation 35: Classification of degrees*
Degrees in the Faculty are granted as follows*:
- Great Distinction: grade point average of 3.30 and over;
- Distinction: grade point average of 3.00 to 3.29.
* On 7 April 2006, Faculty Council resolved to cease awarding 鈥淒istinction鈥� and 鈥淕reat Distinction鈥�, starting with the Spring 2010 graduating class.
Regulation 36: Final transcripts
Final transcripts of candidates who have successfully obtained B.C.L. and J.D. degrees shall include the following:
a) the letter grade obtained in each course;
b) the class average for a course with an enrolment of 25 people or more;
c) the credit weight of each course;
d) the various sessional and the final cumulative grade point average of the student calculated to two decimal places;
e) the classification of the degree;
f) a list of certain prizes granted;
g) such other narrative mentions as are required to complete the transcript.
Regulation 37: Interim Transcripts (Student transcript on Minerva)
Interim transcripts shall include:
a) the grade obtained in each course;
b) the class average for a course with an enrolment of 25 people or more
c) the credit weight of each course;
d) a list of certain prizes granted.
Supplemental Evaluations
Regulation 38: Supplemental evaluations
Supplemental examinations and other evaluations are permitted in accordance with the following regulations where candidates have obtained a failing grade in a course, as defined in article 28.
Regulation 39: Limitations on entitlement to supplementals
No candidate is entitled to a supplemental examination or evaluation if, under Regulation 49, he must withdraw from the Faculty.
A candidate may not undertake more than the following number of supplemental examinations or evaluations:
(i) one supplemental in a course worth more than seven credits; or
(ii) two supplementals in a course or courses worth altogether seven or fewer credits.
Regulation 40: Applications for supplementals
Supplemental examinations are written at the Faculty in the month of August. Applications must be made via Minerva.
Regulation 41: Supplementals in Essays
When a candidate fails an essay as a course, or fails a course as a result of failing a paper constituting part of the weight of grading in a course, application to write a supplemental may be made to the Dean or the Dean's delegate who shall decide, in the light of the circumstances and after consultation with the professor involved, whether a supplemental should be granted. If a supplemental is allowed it shall consist of the writing of a new essay or paper on the same or a different topic, or a re-writing of the failed essay or paper, or the writing of a regular supplemental examination, as indicated in the decision. Supplementary papers or essays shall be handed in the first day of the August examination sessions.
Regulation 42: Supplementals in Mooting and Tutorials
Supplementals in Mooting consist of the writing of new factums and the presentation of fresh oral arguments as arranged by the Dean or the Dean's delegate in consultation with the Moot Court Board. Supplementals in tutorials shall be governed by Regulation 41.
Regulation 43: Special supplementals
A student who has failed a course in the final year at the Faculty may, with the approval of the Dean or the Dean's delegate be permitted upon application to write a special supplemental examination.
Regulation 44: Grading of supplementals
The grade obtained in a supplemental examination or evaluation is the grade of the course as a whole, and is final and not subject to appeal. The grade first obtained in the course shall be included in the transcript in all cases, followed by the grade obtained as a result of a supplemental examination or evaluation.
Deferred Evaluations
Regulation 45: Deferred evaluations
Deferred examinations or other evaluations are permitted where a candidate has been excused from earlier assessments or regular examinations by reason of illness or analogous causes. These are granted at the discretion of the Dean or the Dean's delegate and subject to such conditions as are from time to time established and posted in the Faculty. Applications for deferred examinations and evaluations must be made through the Student Affairs Office.
Regulation 46: Regulations for deferred evaluations
Where a deferred examination or other evaluation has been taken, the regulations respecting regular examinations, term papers and essays shall, in so far as possible, apply.
In such cases, the regulations respecting evaluation of studies shall also apply.
Regulation 47: Failures in deferred evaluations
Repealed April 10, 2024.
Withdrawals, Termination of Studies and Entitlement to Graduate
Regulation 48: Voluntary withdrawal
Candidates shall be permitted to withdraw from the Faculty without academic penalty, with the permission of the Dean or the Dean's delegate.
Regulation 49: Compulsory withdrawal
Candidates who do not achieve a sessional Grade Point Average of 1.50 will be required to withdraw from the Faculty.
Regulation 50: Entitlement to Graduate
Candidates must have an overall Grade Point Average of 2.00 in order to be entitled to graduate.
Regulation 51: Special G.P.A. calculation
Notwithstanding Regulation 34, in determining
(a) if a candidate is entitled to graduate, and
(b) if a candidate on probation as a result of the foregoing has achieved a sessional Grade Point Average of 2.50 or cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.00 at the end of the subsequent session, the candidate's sessional Grade Point Average, or cumulative Grade Point Average shall be calculated excluding the results obtained in supplemental examinations and on repeating the course after an earlier failure if such calculation results in a higher sessional or cumulative Grade Point Average.
Regulation 52: Readmission
Candidates who are required to withdraw from the Faculty under regulation 49, may be authorized by the Faculty Admissions Committee to continue their studies if exceptional reasons for so doing exist.
Candidates shall not be refused permission to continue their studies without being given the opportunity to address the Admissions Committee in person.
The decision of the Admissions Committee is final, both as to permission to continue studies and, subject to these regulations, any conditions thereof.
Regulation on Part-Time Study
Regulation 53: Part-time study 鈥� Undergraduate
At the time of admission to the Faculty, a candidate who fulfills the standard admissions requirements may be permitted to pursue the joint degrees in law for the whole course or for a limited period, on a part-time basis, on the ground that full-time study is impracticable for any of the following reasons, the validity of which shall be established to the satisfaction of the Dean or Dean鈥檚 Delegate on the basis of the submission of a written request, accompanied by detailed supporting documentation:
(i) disability, defined as a physical, mental, learning or sensory impairment that restricts the candidate鈥檚 ability to perform the daily activities necessary to pursue studies on a full-time basis at a postsecondary level, as attested by a professional in the relevant specialization;
(ii) pregnancy and childbirth; and
(iii) responsibility as a primary caregiver for an individual that the candidate regularly and continuously assists in carrying out a basic activity of daily living.
During their studies in the Faculty, a candidate may be permitted to pursue the joint degrees in law for the whole course or for a limited period, on a part-time basis, on the ground that full-time study is impracticable for any of the following reasons, the validity of which shall be established to the satisfaction of the Dean or the Dean鈥檚 Delegate on the basis of the submission of a written request, accompanied by detailed supporting documentation:
(i) disability, defined as a physical, mental, learning or sensory impairment that restricts the candidate鈥檚 ability to perform the daily activities necessary to pursue studies at a postsecondary level, as attested by a professional in the relevant specialization;
(ii) pregnancy and childbirth;
(iii) responsibility as a primary caregiver for an individual that the student regularly and continuously assists in carrying out a basic activity of daily living;
(iv) illness, injury, or another health problem;
(v) financial hardship; and
(vi) other exceptional circumstances
Regulation 54: Special academic regulations for part-time study
A candidate studying part-time shall be subject to all of the academic regulations of the Faculty, save as follows:
(i) the candidate shall complete all requirements for the joint degrees within at most seven academic years.
(ii) in general, a candidate studying part-time shall register for not fewer than nine credits in each term, with the exception of the final term, should a lesser number of credits be required for the obtaining of the degree sought; nevertheless, under special circumstances, the Dean or the Dean鈥檚 delegate may grant the candidate permission to register for a lesser number of credits, for one term, renewable if the exceptional circumstances persist.
(iii) a candidate studying part-time due to a major functional or permanent disability that has been certified by a government loan and bursary program may register for six credits in each term on the basis of the submission of a written request, accompanied by detailed supporting documentation.
(iv) a candidate admitted to part-time study on the basis of a disability shall be eligible to be considered for scholarships and fellowships available to full-time students, on the basis of equivalent academic standing.
(v) the Dean or the Dean鈥檚 Delegate shall, generally or in any particular case, establish special rules or conditions governing the selection and sequence of obligatory and complementary courses and other degree requirements; and shall review the eligibility and status of the candidate in each academic year.
Regulation 55: Part-time study- Graduate Study Program
Either at the time of admission to the Faculty, or while in course of study, a student may, by, and at the special discretion of, the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies), be permitted to pursue the Masters in Law degree for a period, of no more than two semesters, on a part-time basis, on the ground that full-time study is impracticable for any of the following reasons, the validity of which shall be established to the Associate Dean's satisfaction:
(i) health problems, mental illness, or physical disabilities;
(ii) pregnancy;
(iii) responsibility for the primary care of others;
(iv) financial hardship;
(v) other special circumstances.
Regulation 56: Special academic regulations for part-time study
A candidate admitted to part-time study shall be subject to all of the academic regulations of the Faculty and University, save as follows:
(i) the candidate shall register for not fewer than nine credits in each term, with the exception of the final term, should a lesser number of credits be required for the obtaining of the degree sought; nevertheless, under special circumstances, permission may be granted to candidates to register for a lesser number of credits.
(ii) the nine credits cannot include research/thesis credits, unless all other course requirements are met.
(iii) theAssociate Dean may, generally or in any particular case, establish special rules or conditions governing the selection and sequence of courses and other degree requirements; and may review the eligibility and status of the candidate in each academic year.
Amendments and Modifications
Regulation 57:
Amendments The Faculty reserves the right to change any of its courses, rules and regulations and to make these changes applicable to students already registered as well as to new students.
Section 4: Faculty Examination Regulations
Adopted
25 March 1977
Amendments
See Amendments to Faculty Regulations
General
1. NOTE: REGULATION 1 REPEALED FEBRUARY 4, 2000.
2. These guidelines, rules and procedures are subject to the Regulations of the Faculty.
All assessments are subject to the Examination Committee guidelines, rules and procedures as set forth hereinafter.
In the following articles, "assessment" means any form of evaluation, including namely in-term essays and end-of-term essays, oral presentations in class and oral examinations, and "examination" means any sit-down, written evaluation taking place at a pre-determined time, including namely a take-home examination.
3. All assessments will be held according to the following regulations.
(a) As regards courses assessed by methods other than examinations, more than one assessment within each term is encouraged.
(b) If the final exam is offered, it must be worth at least 25% of the final grade. The maximum weight of a final examination shall be no more than 75% of the final grade, except where students have been offered the choice in advance to write a final exam worth more than 75% of the final grade.
(c) As regards one-term courses, all examinations shall be held in the regular end-of-term examination period. Permission of the Dean or the Dean's delegate is required for divergence from this procedure.
(d) As regards full-year courses,
(i) mid-term (December) assessments shall be obligatory;
(ii) all examinations shall be held in the regular end-of-term examination period. Permission of the Dean or the Dean's delegate is required for divergence from this procedure.
(e) As regards voluntary mid-term examinations,
(i) the holding of one voluntary mid-term examination (for which the grade obtained would not count for all or any part of the final grade in the course) is encouraged in first term for first year students;
(ii) the holding of such examinations shall be coordinated by the Associate Dean (Academic).
Nature and Content of Examinations
4. On all examinations (including supplementals) examiners should avoid repeating questions previously used and questions that require the student merely to indicate true or false or to make a choice among answers supplied.
5. NOTE: REGULATION 5 REPEALED OCTOBER 3, 1996.
Co-Examiners
6. Instructors are strongly encouraged to send a draft of any major assessment in their course to a teaching member of Faculty Council for review in advance of its release.
Exam Regulation 7 Repealed April 10, 2024. 鈥� ALL REGULATIONS BELOW RE-NUMBERED.
Examination Format
7. Examinations shall be set in the following format:
(a) Questions
1. Questions shall be typed single space on numbered 21 x 28 cm pages.
2. Questions shall be numbered. There may be sub-questions, also numbered. Questions and sub-questions shall be clearly identified.
3. The relative weight of any question shall be indicated in percentage terms in the margin opposite the question number, and opposite each sub-question number, if there are any sub-questions.
4. Cases and other documents shall be properly referred to in accordance with recognized rules of citation.
5. Instructors are strongly recommended to indicate on their examinations not only the percentage weight of each question but also the recommended number of minutes to be spent on answering each question.
(b) Instructions Form
1. The top page of each examination shall be composed of an Instructions Form filled in by the examiner.
2. The Instructions Form shall indicate the following:
| (a) Course: | i) The name of the course and, if applicable, the number of the section of the course. |
| (b) Term: | i) The term or terms during which the course is given. |
| (c) Nature: | i) Whether the examination is a mid-term, final, supplemental or special supplemental examination. ii) If applicable, indication shall also be made that the examination is optional. |
| (d) Date: | The date of the examination |
| (e) Time: | The time of the examination |
| (f) Duration: | The maximum duration of the examination, including reading time when applicable. |
| (g) Weight: | The weight of the examination in relation to the total grade for the course. |
| (h) Examiner: | The name of the examiner. |
| (i) Co-Examiner: | The name of the co-examiner. |
| (j) Type: |
i) An indication whether the examination is: Open Book; if so, the examination shall 1) exclude looseleaf services and materials from the library; and Closed Book; Open Code/Statute; the texts in such examinations must be "clean" ones. No annotations, other than ii) An indication of what documents or material is attached to the examination, or will be handed out at the examination. |
| (k) Instructions: |
i) Concise and precise instructions as to the way to answer the questions may be given. ii) Any instructions given orally in the classroom with respect to the way in which to answer any examination MUST form part of the written examination instructions. iii) Where appropriate, indication shall be given of the jurisdiction to which the examination applies. iv) An indication must be given of the number of questions (and sub-questions, where appropriate), to be answered. |
|
(l) An indication of the total number of questions and pages. |
|
8. Professors are required to proofread the final version (the version to be printed) of an examination.
8.1 Examiners and co-examiners shall not use unsecured e-mail for the preparation and distribution of draft and final examinations.
Transmission of Examination Questionnaires to Student Affairs Office
9. Examinations scheduled for the regular examination periods in December and April must be submitted, as a password protected electronic version, to the Student Affairs Office in their final version at least two weeks before commencement of the examination period. Examiners must ensure that any attachments (statutes, cases, etc.) which form part of the examination are given to the Student Affairs Office with the examination, and that, where applicable, such attachments are in both official languages.
10. In-term examinations in one-semester courses must be handed in their final version to the Student Affairs Office at least two weeks before the date the examination is to be given.
11. NOTE: REGULATION 12 REPEALED FEBRUARY 4, 2000.
Essays
12. Writing assignments that form part of a course that account for 50% or more of the final grade, or that are written independently for credit as a term essay must be due on the fifth working day prior to the last working day of the examination period of the term for which they are being written. For the purposes of this calculation, the final day of the examination period counts as one of the five working days. The exceptions contemplated under Regulation 27 of the Faculty Academic Regulations are only to be effective with the authorization of the Dean or the Dean鈥檚 delegate.
a) No assessment tasks shall be due between the next working day after the last day of classes and the fifth working day prior to the last working day of the examination period
See PASL 6.7
13. Professors must inform the Student Affairs Office when they accept the task of supervising an essay by approving the on-line Essay Authorization Form meeting the application deadline as indicated by the Student Affairs Office.
Examination Sessions
14. Examiners are reminded that it is their responsibility to be present at least at the beginning and, preferably, also at the conclusion of their examinations, in order to answer any questions that may arise. In the event that the examiner's presence cannot be assured, it is the examiner's responsibility to indicate to the Student Affairs Office a contact telephone number.
Marks Procedure
15. It is the responsibility of the Student Affairs Office to ensure the complete anonymity of the examination process.
16. Examiners are themselves to enter marks on Minerva. Final grades must completed and submitted no later than two weeks following the date of the examination in question.
17. Approximately two- and one-half weeks after each examination session the Faculty will hold a marks meeting in order to approve marks (The duration of the marking period may be shorter in the winter term). A grade distribution schedule will normally be posted the day following this meeting, and students will normally have access to their grades via MINERVA the day following this meeting. A second marks meeting will be held if necessary.
Marking Standard
18. The grades to be awarded are indicated in Regulation 28 of the Faculty Academic Regulations. Marking is at the discretion of each examiner and changes will rarely be made in a colleague's marks. However, professors are warned against awarding excessive numbers of either fail grades or high marks unless there are unusually cogent reasons which an examiner is prepared to support.
19. Examiners are reminded that the Faculty no longer employs percentage grades, and that letter grades have no percentage equivalent. No student should be told, officially or unofficially, of any "percentage" mark awarded.
Exemption from Examination
20. Any student wishing a medical exemption from an examination must apply for such an exemption to the Student Affairs Office as soon as possible, giving the SAO the name of the physician consulted. A medical certificate certifying that, in the physician's opinion, the student was not fit to write the examination in question, must be submitted to the Associate Dean at the earliest possible opportunity. No other medical certificate will be accepted for the purposes of granting a medical exemption. Faculty will be given a list of those students granted a medical exemption. This requirement for medical certificates applies to all examinations, including mid-term examinations in one-semester courses.
21. At the discretion of the Dean or the Dean's delegate, an exemption from writing an examination on compassionate grounds may be granted to a student.
Special Supplemental and Deferred Examinations
22. Special supplementals under Regulations 43 and 47 may only be granted upon application to the Dean or the Dean's delegate who will decide whether to allow such examinations according to the following guidelines.
Special supplementals are permitted only:
(i) where a student is graduating and does not intend to return to the Faculty for further study;
(ii) where a student requires one supplemental or deferred examination in order to qualify for a professional program;
(iii) where a student would be prejudiced as to the time of being called to the Bar or some other similar professional commitment by suffering an additional delay of six months or more; and
(iv) where the examiner agrees to set the examination.
Feedback
23. Course instructors are strongly encouraged to make available the best answers from examination papers or model answers to examination questions to students in their courses.
24. Students are permitted to look at their own examination papers plus one selected by the examiner during a two-week period following the release of final grades.
(i) In all cases of courses taught by full-time instructors the examination papers, identified by exam numbers, will be delivered to the offices of instructors for the two week period (the re-reads already having been accomplished).
(ii) In all cases of courses taught by sessional lecturers, the examination papers will be kept in the Student Affairs Office and will be delivered, identified by exam number, upon request by the instructor.
(iii) Students who, for valid reasons, are unable to review their examination papers written at the end of the Winter semester within the two-week period immediately following the posting of the grades may do so no later than fourteen days after the commencement of the following Fall semester provided that, within the aforesaid two-week period, they advise the instructor and the Student Affairs Office of their wish to review their examinations.
In all cases it will be the task of each instructor to oversee the viewing of papers by students.
Re-Reads
25. Repealed April 10 2024. See updated regulations on third party re-reads.
Communication of Course Assessment Tasks
26. (a) If the deadline of an assessment worth more than 25% needs to be changed at any time during the course, the instructor must consult with the Associate Dean (Academic) or delegate before making any changes and/or communicating changes to the class
(b) Pursuant to PASL Part 6 鈥淐ommunication of Course Assessment Tasks,鈥� a means of assessment is not considered to be modified if the due date is corrected to avoid submission dates discouraged by the University (e.g. holidays, Focus Weeks and weekend due dates)
See PASL 6
(c) Where a means of assessment is modified after the add/drop period and the instructor has obtained the unanimous assent of all students registered in the course, students waive the option to decide whether the original or modified means of assessment should apply towards their individual final grade and will be deemed to have chosen the modified means of assessment.
Section 5: Student Assessment Policy
Adopted
Revisions approved by Senate 20 April 2016 Minute 11B.5.
Amendments
N/A
The Policy on Assessment of Student Learning
听
Section 6:听Policy Regarding Language of Examinations
Adopted
4 May 1979
Amendments
See Amendments to Faculty Regulations
Policy Regarding Language of Examinations
1. The attention of all students is drawn to the fact that it is the policy of the Faculty as stated (in part) in Regulation 20 that:
"While examination questions are set in the language in which a course is given, they may contain materials in either English or French".
2. Where there is more than one section in a course and, as a consequence, the course is offered in both English and French, the examination questions themselves (as opposed to materials or extracts) for each section must be set either in English or French depending on the language used in the teaching of the section.
3. However, if the teachers involved in teaching a course decide to set a common examination for their respective sections, with the result that the examination questions themselves exist both in English and in French, then examination questions in either language can be made available to students who request them.
4. Where a course is listed as a bilingual course, any part of the examination may be set, at the option of the Instructor, in English or French, or both. The Instructor may also set a fully bilingual examination.
Section 7:听Faculty Regulations Regarding Third Party Re-Reads
Adopted
4 April 2024
Marginal Note
This section has been overturned and fully changed since the introduction of PASL. Please see 鈥渢hird party re-reads鈥� in PASL as this section has largely been modeled on that. The PASL text will be listed below and see prior Faculty Regulations for information on the prior section 7.
Faculty Regulations Regarding Third Party Re-Reads
Automatic
1. Where a student has received a failing grade in the course, any failed written assessments in that course will be re-read automatically by a reviewer as soon as possible using the existing third party re-reads procedure. This does not apply where the failure is due to incomplete coursework. A placeholder notation such as 鈥淣A鈥� will appear on the student鈥檚 transcript until the re-read is complete. No further third party re-reads of the failed assessments will be available through the Faculty of Law.
This provision applies to final grades comprising a deferred evaluation.
At student鈥檚 request
2. A third-party reread comprises at least one assessment in a course. It can only be requested once the student has received their final grade. Students should note that the organization of reviews of assessments imposes a significant administrative burden on the Faculty and that they should not be routinely requested for disappointing results.
3. Normally a student requests a third party re-read when they have reason to believe that the evaluation of their assessment is not reasonable. Other permissible grounds for third party re-reads are outlined on the Faculty of Law Website.
4. The reviewing instructor will consider whether the grade originally assigned constitutes a reasonable appraisal of the merit of the student's work.
The original grades awarded are treated with significant deference by the reviewer and are only changed when the reviewer finds that the original grade assigned is an unreasonable assessment of the merits of the student鈥檚 work. This recognizes the possibility that another grade could have been awarded, but maintains the original grade unless it falls outside the range of acceptable outcomes, giving consideration to the justification and intelligibility of the original decision.
5. Where standard procedure cannot be followed, any procedure deemed appropriate by the Associate Dean (Academic) or delegate may be adopted, including consulting with the evaluating instructor.
6. Following the reread process, the grade for any re-read assessment could be decreased, maintained, or increased. Written assignments which have been re-read receive the grade which is given by the co-examiner. The grade assigned to the course as a whole is then recalculated, giving to the grade on each assignment its appropriate weight.
7. Reassessments should normally be completed within 20 working days of the request for a reread to the SAO. This may be subject to reasonable administrative arrangements that extend the completion period to 60 working days.
See PASL 8.1 and 8.2
Section 8: Policy Regarding Classes Scheduled on Religious Holy Days听
Adopted
24 November 2006
Amendments
See Amendments to Faculty Regulations
Addendum to the
1. The Faculty of Law recognizes that religious observance may affect not only evaluation but also class attendance, for both students and instructors. In furtherance of the University policy鈥檚 aim of allowing students to fulfill both their university and their religious commitments, the following additional guidelines regarding class scheduling and attendance are provided.
2. Students who for reasons of religious commitment cannot attend a class that falls on a religious holy day should speak with the instructor, at least two weeks in advance, to determine available responses to the missed class. These responses may include: allowing the class to be recorded for the benefit of the absent student(s) (to be organized by the student(s)), meeting with the instructor at a later date to discuss assigned readings and any class notes obtained from a peer who attended the class, or planning a make-up session for the students involved.
3. While it is expected that students and instructors will demonstrate the utmost in respect and good will in the application of the above policy, any disagreement on its interpretation or application should be brought to the Associate Dean (Academic) for final resolution.
Section 9:听Faculty Policy Regarding Course Auditing
Adopted
November 2003
Amendments
N/A
51吃瓜网Policy on Auditing
1. University policy does not permit auditing of courses by persons not registered as students at McGill.
Faculty of Law Students
2. Subject to clause 3, the auditing of Faculty courses by students registered in the Faculty is subject to the discretion of course instructors.
3. Faculty students may not audit courses where:
(a) the courses are fully subscribed; or
(b) the nature of the class requires high levels of engagement from all students.
4. Where instructors grant Faculty students permission to audit their courses it is on the understanding that such students will not be evaluated in any way and no official record of their attendance will be generated.
Non-Faculty 51吃瓜网Students
5. Non-Faculty 51吃瓜网students wishing to audit courses offered by the Faculty must obtain the written permission of both the course instructors and, as appropriate, either the Assistant Dean (Students) or their delegate, or Associate Dean (Graduate Studies).
6. The auditing of courses by Non-Faculty 51吃瓜网students is subject to the same constraints as those imposed on Faculty students (see clauses 3 & 4 above).
Other Persons
7. All other persons not officially registered for a program offered by the Faculty or McGill, wishing to follow in any manner courses offered by the Faculty, must, in a timely manner, seek admission to the Faculty as Special Students and register and pay the course fees and other charges associated with admission as Special Students.
8. Special Students will not be permitted to register for courses that are fully subscribed by students registered for a program offered by the Faculty.
9. Credits obtained by Special Students will not count towards the credit requirements of any Faculty certificate, diploma or degree program to which such students may be subsequently admitted - although such students may be exempted, where appropriate and at the sole discretion of the Faculty, from retaking such courses.
Section 10:听Miscellaneous
1.听
2. The University's Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities
3. The University鈥檚 Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures
4. The
5. The University鈥檚 Policy Concerning the Rights of Students with Disabilities
6. The University鈥檚 Policy on Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Prohibited by Law
