THE PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ACADEMIC LAW TEACHER IN CANADA

Abstract

In addition to a primary responsibility of helping students learn, the academic law teacher holds public responsibilities. In this article the author discusses those public responsibilities through an examination of the role of academic law teachers in Canada’s common-law system. Through a discussion of the participation of academic law teachers in designing legislation, their participation in the Conference of Commissioners on Uniformity of Legislation in Canada, as well as their participation in other law reform agencies within Canada, the author reflects on their special public responsibilities, as well as their contribution to law reform. In conclusion however, the author notes that while it is important to recognize the public responsibilities of the academic law teacher, it is most important to remember that the teacher’s primary responsibility is to students.