Internationally trained lawyers group tours the court system

(Sept. 13, 2010) Students in the Faculty of Law’s Internationally Trained Lawyers Program took a city tour of the Ontario justice system today, with a visit to the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Superior Court of Justice.

Dean Moran (3rd from right) and ITLP Students

A group of 10 ITLP students interested in criminal law heard from appellate benchers Justice Kathryn Feldman, LLB ’73, and Justice Robert Sharpe, LLB ’70, who talked about the Court of Appeal. They weren’t shy with questions either, as Gina Alexandris, program director, explains.

“Many compared our justice system to the one back in their country of origin, and this fostered a very interesting discussion with the justices,” says Alexandris. Students then observed two criminal cases before Justices Sharpe, John Laskin, LLB ’69, and Gloria Epstein, LLB ‘77.

In the afternoon, the entire class of 35 students visited the Superior Court of Justice, where former UofT assistant dean, Justice Bonnie Croll, LLB ’77, welcomed them. Students then had the opportunity to view a number of different court matters at Superior Court.

A reception at the Barristers Lounge of the Law Society of Upper Canada completed the tour, where the group was given a brief history of the building by LSUC curator, Elise Brunet. Dean Mayo Moran and Marisha Roman, LLB ’94, LSUC Aboriginal Initiatives Counsel and member of the ILTP advisory committee, were also on hand and addressed the group.

ITLP students will soon start their five-month internship in early October. Watch this space for updates on their Canadian legal work experiences.

ITLP students in front of Osgoode Hall

Photos: Gina Alexandris