LEGAL EDUCATION

Abstract

Chief Justice Dickson's theme is that the primary goal of legal education should be to train for the legal profession people who are honest, compassionate, knowledgeable about the law, and committed to the role of law and justice in our democratic society. He discusses this goal as it applies to pre-law training, law schools, articling and continuing legal education. He is in favour of a broad pre-law education, and recommends that law schools provide an education in a broad sense, not just professional training. He calls upon the profession to make articling a rewarding experience for all young members of the profession. He is complimentary about recent developments in the field of continuing education. The Chief Justice encourages formal instruction in legal ethics and the teaching of fundamental legal skills, particularly in the areas of negotiating and advocacy. He concludes by expressing the wish that all members of the profession will become aware of, and utilize, the benefits that flow from having two distinct legal systems in Canada.