One of the three law schools in British Columbia, the Faculty offers a single degree: a three-year Juris Doctor that is accredited by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. Founded in 2011, the Faculty graduates around 100 students per year.
According to the Faculty's employment disclosures, 99% of the Class of 2023 seeking articling positions obtained those positions within nine months of graduation.[2]
History
The Faculty adopted the University of Calgary Faculty of Law curriculum on May 1, 2010, in advance of its opening in Fall 2011.[3] According to former University of Calgary Faculty of Law Dean Alastair Lucas, Calgary's focus on natural resources, energy, and environmental law is "uniquely suited to academic priorities at TRU and we are excited to provide them together with a program that focuses on practical legal skills instruction."[4]
The Faculty employs more than 40 full-time and sessional faculty members, with a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 14:1. Full-time faculty members are as follows:[7]
Admission to the JD program requires a minimum of 90 undergraduate credits (including 30 upper-level credits) completed by December 31 of the year prior to intake. Like all Canadian law schools, admission is competitive; the Faculty receives around 800 applications annually for 124 available seats. Admitted students typically have at least an A- average, with average Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores around 160.
Required application materials include a personal statement, resume, LSAT score, and official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions. Reference letters are required only for Indigenous Canadian and Discretionary category applicants. Applications are evaluated using a formula that weighs GPA (60%) and LSAT score (40%), plus additional holistic considerations derived from the personal statement, resume, and the reference letters (if applicable).
Curriculum
The JD curriculum is structured with 36 credits of required first-year courses, followed by 21 credits of required upper-year courses and 39 credits of elective courses in the second and third years.
Each class in the JD program has approximately 120 students, and the first-year class is broken into two sections of approximately 60 students, who take all first-year classes together. First-year courses include:
Upper-year students must complete required courses in Administrative Law, Business Associations, Civil Procedure, Dispute Resolution, Ethical Lawyering, Evidence, and Truth and Rebuilding Canadian Indigenous Legal Relations. Upper-year students also take electives, including a number of unique courses rarely offered elsewhere in Canada, such as video game law, sports law, and animal law.[8]
Additionally, students must fulfill both a perspectives requirement and a writing requirement through their elective coursework. The perspectives requirement seeks to ensure exposure to legal theory, philosophy, or perspectives-related learning, while the writing requirement seeks to develop legal writing skills.
Mooting
The Faculty strongly promotes mooting amongst its students. In 2015 and again in 2024, the TRU Law team won the Begbie Trophy at the British Columbia Law Schools Competitive Moot, defeating teams from the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria.[9] In addition, TRU Law students have placed well in the Wilson Moot held each year in Toronto, placing First Place Facta in 2018.[10] TRU Law teams also achieved first place in the Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Law Moot in 2023 and second place in 2024.[11] In the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, TRU Law achieved the Top Applicant Memorial award in 2022 and proceeded to the White & Case Advanced Rounds in 2023.[12]
Exchange partners
The faculty has established exchange programs with several international law schools. Current exchange partners include:[13]
The Thompson Rivers University Community Legal Clinic is the first and only student-staffed free legal clinic in the British Columbia Interior. Students work under the guidance of 3 supervising lawyers to provide legal assistance and advice in a range of areas to those who would otherwise be unable to afford legal assistance.[14]
Canadian Centre for Elder Law
Since 2025, the Canadian Centre for Elder Law has been housed at the Faculty. The Centre conducts research, and develops reports and educational tools on legal and policy issues related to aging, and collaborates with community stakeholders and organizations to identify and address subjects that impact older people.[15]
Student organizations
Hockey match between the TRU Lawggers and the TRU Law Alumni at the Sandman Centre
The primary student organization is the TRU Society of Law Students (TRU SLS). Established in October 2011, the Society has adopted a series of strategic priorities aimed at enriching and supporting the student experience.[16] A number of clubs operate under the TRU SLS banner, including the TRU Oral Advocacy Club, TRU Lawcapellants, TRU South Asian Law Students Association, TRU Indigenous Law Students Association, Asia Pacific Law Students Association, Black Law Students' Association, Criminal Law Club, Hiking Club, Digital Media Entertainment, Business Law Society, Labour and Employment Law Club, Law Needs Feminism Because - TRU Chapter, Crib Club, Golf Club, Legal Innovation Association, OutLaws, Securities Law Club, Science and Law Club, Law Hockey Club, Law Rugby, TRU Animal Law Advocacy, and others.[17] There are also a number of student-run sports teams that compete in various TRU recreation leagues.
The Faculty also participates in the CBA BC Branch's student mentorship program. This program is designed to match law students with lawyers willing to share their experience and insight into the practice of law.[18]
Location
The Faculty is currently housed in the third and fourth floor of the Old Main building of Thompson Rivers University. The two floors opened its doors in time for the class of 2014–2015.
Old Main's revitalization was inspired by the region's most prominent landmarks (notably Mt. Peter and Paul). It added 40,000 square feet of learning, library and student spaces.[19]
Old Main.
Tuition, awards and prizes
For the 2024–2025 academic year, first year tuition is $21,731.40, with additional fees of $1,329.04, bringing the expected cost of attendance to $23,060.44 per year.[20] TRU Law offers a broad array of scholarships, bursaries and course prizes, including entrance scholarships funded by the Canadian Bar Association, the Law Foundation of British Columbia, Fulton & Company LLP, and Gregory S. Pun Q.Q.[21]
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