Osgoode Hall Law School hosted legal scholars, judges, and institutional leaders from around the world on November 8 for the Advancing the Rule of Law: A Global Academic Partnership Conference, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at strengthening democratic institutions amid growing global challenges.

The event marked the first in-person meeting of the Rule of Law Global Academic Partnership, a non-partisan network now involving more than 150 law schools worldwide. Held at Osgoode Professional Development, Osgoode’s downtown Toronto campus, and livestreamed globally, the conference brought together deans, senior academics, judges and organizational leaders to explore strategies for strengthening judicial independence, civic and legal education, academic freedom, and due process.

“This inaugural conference demonstrated the tremendous potential of global academic collaboration to promote justice and strengthen democratic institutions,” said Osgoode Dean Trevor Farrow. “At a time when the rule of law is being tested by polarization and misinformation, it is more important than ever for legal educators and institutions to take a collaborative leadership role in addressing these most fundamental challenges.

Keynote Speakers: Chief Justice Tulloch and Deputy Minister Curtis-Micallef

The conference featured keynote addresses from The Honourable Michael H. Tulloch (LLB ’89, LL.D ’23), Chief Justice of Ontario, and Shalene Curtis-Micallef (LLB ’95), Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General of Canada, underscoring the critical role of legal educators and institutions in upholding democratic principles.

Chief Justice Tulloch emphasized the central role of law schools in safeguarding the rule of law:

“Law schools and legal educators stand at the very centre of our shared mission—strengthening the rule of law,” he said, praising Osgoode’s “intellectual courage” in examining the foundations of the legal order. “It remains the heart of the law school’s mission today, reflected in its scholarship, in its students’ public service, and in the way it continues to share conversations about justice and democracy across Canada.”

He also stressed the importance of judicial independence:

“You must explain that the separation of powers is not an obstacle to efficient government, but the safeguard against its excess… In Canada, as in every democracy, we are not guardians of power—we are guardians of principle… Let us cherish it. Let us protect it. And let us pass it on—stronger—to the next generation.”

Deputy Minister Curtis-Micallef highlighted the foundational role of the rule of law in building public trust:

“To preserve the rule of law, we all need to diligently enhance a whole-of-society understanding of what it is and its importance in sustaining a just and prosperous society.”

A Platform for Global Action

Plenary sessions and breakout discussions explored practical strategies for law schools and legal institutions to collaborate on research, teaching, and civic engagement.

Professor François Tanguay-Renaud, Osgoode’s Associate Dean (Research and Institutional Relations), described the conference as an important way for Osgoode and our faculty to demonstrate leadership in a truly collaborative way on this challenging and timely topic. “So many Osgoode faculty members work at the cutting-edge of issues related to the realization of the rule of law in these times of crisis and social reinvention”, he said. “Osgoode is a national and international leader in championing this ideal in the context of legal education, research, and policy making”.

Hari Osofsky, founding director of the partnership and former Dean of Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, emphasized the focus on sustained action:

“Today is about where we go from here in moving forward meaningful action… We all agree on the importance and power of global partnership in protecting and advancing the rule of law.”

The conference was hosted by York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School in partnership with Lincoln Alexander School of Law, Queen’s Law, University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, and Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. Co-sponsors included the University of Washington School of Law, LSU Law, Association of American Law Schools, AccessLex Institute, Law School Admission Council (LSAC), Winkler Institute for Dispute Resolution, and Connected Minds CFREF.

As the partnership moves forward, Osgoode remains committed to global collaboration that strengthens democratic institutions and advances justice worldwide.

Learn more: https://www.yorku.ca/events/theroleoflawschools/

Osgoode Hall Law School faculty are pursuing a bold research agenda, securing more than $3 million in new funding in recent months. The grants support a wide range of projects that address urgent legal and social challenges, including refugee rights and environmental justice to corporate governance, innovation, and global security.

“This work positions Osgoode as a leader in legal research that matters,” said Dean Trevor Farrow. “Our faculty are shaping policy, supporting communities, and fostering informed dialogue on critical issues at both national and international levels. We are proud to support them in these vital endeavours.”

Justice, Equality, and Social Systems

Professors Faisal Bhabha and Sonia Lawrence are convening national conversations on anti-discrimination law, funded by the Law Commission of Canada.

Professor Shelley Kierstead, supported by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, is examining the challenges faced by mental health professionals working within Ontario’s family law system.

Law and Technology

Professor Sean Rehaag is expanding the work of the Refugee Law Lab through multiple grants:

• Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Insight Grant
• SSHRC Partnership Grants Stage 1
• Law Foundation of Ontario funding
• John Evans Leaders Fund

His projects explore how algorithmic decision-making affects access to justice for refugees, developing tools and networks that promote fairness in digital systems.

Professor Jonathon Penney, appointed York Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance, and the Law, is advancing scholarship in emerging areas of technology and regulation.

Governance, Finance, and Regulation

Professor Stephanie Ben-Ishai, named York Research Chair in Law, Finance, and Debt, is contributing to research on financial systems and regulation.

Professor Poonam Puri is leading two major projects:

• A comparative analysis of shareholder proposals in Canada and the U.S., supported by a SSHRC Insight Grant
• Expansion of the Investor Protection Clinic, funded by the Ontario Securities Commission and the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization, which provides legal assistance to retail investors and conducts research on financial regulation

Innovation, Intellectual Property, and Corporate Responsibility

Professor Hassan Ahmad is exploring the evolving role of corporate social responsibility with support from a SSHRC Insight Development Grant.

Professor Pina D’Agostino is advancing innovation and commercialization through a grant from Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON).

Tax and Global Legal Systems

Professor Jinyan Li, funded by the Canadian Tax Foundation and the International Fiscal Association, is examining tax sovereignty in a digitally divided world.

Legal History and Advocacy

Professors Philip Girard and Patricia McMahon continue to document Canadian legal history through grants from the Osgoode Society for Canadian Legal Research.

Professor McMahon is also exploring the evolution of advocacy and professional responsibility through the lens of 19th-century legal thought, supported by a SSHRC Insight Development Grant.

Environmental Justice and Community Impact

Professor Dayna Scott has secured funding from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) to develop visual tools that assess the cumulative environmental and community impacts of industrial development.

A Diverse and Impactful Research Community

“What’s striking is not just the volume of funding, but the range of issues our faculty are addressing, from the future of refugee protection to the governance of emerging technologies,” said Associate Dean of Research François Tanguay-Renaud.

This latest round of funding highlights the depth and diversity of Osgoode’s research community, with faculty leading initiatives that blend rigorous scholarship with real-world impact.

Osgoode Hall Law School introduced ZeroL this summer, a pioneering program designed to help first-year JD students transition smoothly into legal education. Completed primarily online by all incoming students before the start of the fall term, ZeroL is among the first mandatory pre-law programs of its kind in Canada.

ZeroL is a self-paced, required program that provides foundational legal knowledge while introducing students to the academic culture of law school. Divided into three modules, the program covers legal terminology, case law analysis, the basis of legal theory, academic expectations, and the structure of Canadian law. Students also gain access to practical tools, including sample case briefs, outlines, and past exams, giving them confidence as they begin their studies.

“ZeroL reflects Osgoode’s longstanding commitment to leading innovation in legal education,” said Dean Trevor Farrow. “The study of law is demanding. The transition to law school can be both exciting and overwhelming. This program ensures that every student feels prepared, supported, and confident from day one.”

Developed as part of a broader reform to Osgoode’s first-year curriculum, ZeroL was designed with accessibility in mind. It accommodates students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, including those without prior exposure to legal studies.

Students who completed the program praised its practical value. One noted that the course was “brief enough to not feel taxing” while still making them feel prepared. Another shared that ZeroL answered many of their questions about law school and the legal system, helping them start the term with greater clarity and confidence.

In addition to academic content, ZeroL includes guidance on academic accommodations, responsible use of AI tools in legal practice, and the role of law as a regulated profession. The program encourages students to think critically about legal theory, precedent, and the intersection of law with broader societal issues.

As Osgoode welcomes its newest cohort, ZeroL stands as a testament to the law school’s ongoing dedication to inclusive, student-focused education, innovation, and leadership in legal training.

Leading tax scholars, practitioners, and policymakers from around the world gathered in Toronto on September 26-27, 2025, for the A. Cockfield Memorial Symposium to honour the late Professor Arthur Cockfield—one of Canada’s foremost tax law academics. Osgoode was proud to provide the organizational, logistical, and administrative support for the symposium.

Centred on the theme “Tax Sovereignty in a Digital and Divided World”, the two-day symposium brought together participants from Canada, the United States, New Zealand, England, the Netherlands, and Poland. Panels addressed pressing issues in global tax governance, including digitalization, artificial intelligence, and the future of cross-border cooperation, with perspectives shared by academics, government officials, and industry leaders.

Sponsored by IFA Canada, the Canadian Tax Foundation, Osgoode Hall Law School, and Queen’s University Faculty of Law, the symposium served as both a scholarly forum and a tribute to Professor Cockfield’s legacy. Remembered for his influential scholarship and his profound impact as a teacher and mentor, Professor Cockfield’s sudden passing in 2022 left a lasting mark on colleagues, students, and the wider legal community.

Select papers from the symposium will be published in a special issue of the Canadian Tax Journal, with presentation materials available to registered participants. While in-person attendance reached capacity, the event also welcomed a wide virtual audience, underscoring both the global relevance of the discussions and the enduring influence of Professor Cockfield’s work.

Osgoode Hall Law School is launching a new pilot initiative that will see JD students provide practical, non-legal support to Self-Represented workers and employers preparing appeals before Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT).

Coordinated through the Winkler Institute for Dispute Resolution, the project offers students a unique opportunity to engage directly with administrative justice while helping reduce barriers for individuals navigating the appeals process without legal representation.

Nine students have volunteered as part of their Osgoode Public Interest Requirement. While they will not be offering legal advice, their role is crucial: assisting parties in gathering documents, organizing evidence, and preparing materials to clearly present their stories to adjudicators. For many, WSIAT hearings are the first—and sometimes only—chance to testify in person, making preparation essential.

“The goal is to reduce barriers for Self-Represented parties while giving students valuable insight into the realities of administrative law,” said Professor Patricia McMahon, who will oversee the program. “It’s a way for students to contribute meaningfully while gaining skills they can’t learn in a classroom.”

Students received training from WSIAT on administrative law, workplace safety and insurance matters, and tribunal procedures. They’ll also follow strict confidentiality protocols and work in pairs when meeting with parties to ensure ethical and professional standards are upheld.

To ensure the tribunal’s independence, the pilot is structured so that WSIAT remains separate from the initiative. The Winkler Institute provides the institutional foundation, while a network of local practitioners will be available to support students with technical questions as they arise.

Organizers plan to closely evaluate the initiative to assess both student learning outcomes and the impact on Self-Represented parties. If successful, the model could be adapted for use with other tribunals and administrative bodies.

“This is exactly the kind of innovative, community-focused access to justice initiative Osgoode is committed to—one that empowers our students while making a real difference in people’s lives,” said Dean Trevor Farrow.

Learn more about the initiative on the WSIAT website