Law's Faculty Council favours J.D. degree

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By Communications Staff
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
The Law Faculty Council has voted overwhelmingly to change Western Law's degree designation from LL.B. to J.D.
 
Alumni consultation was sought on this question and their input was made available to all members of Faculty Council prior to the vote.
 
Of the 178 Western Law alumni who waded in on the topic, responses were about two to one in favour of the change.
 
At Faculty Council, there were two "no" votes, and four abstentions. The remainder of council, which includes faculty and student representatives, voted in favour.
 
“I was gratified by how collegially the debate took place," said Dean Ian Holloway. "This was an issue that could easily have enflamed passions. It says something special about the culture at Western that the whole process went as smoothly as it did - even when people disagreed with one another." 
 
Under the proposal, Law alumni will have the option to change their degree to a J.D. (Juris Doctor) or retain their LL.B. designation. The issue will go to the university Senate, likely in the fall.
 
With an eye to international employment, Western Law students also voted earlier this year in favour of changing their degree from LL.B. to J.D., matching similarly named degrees at U.S. universities.
 
The J.D. designation is typically regarded as a professional degree, requiring an undergraduate degree as well as a law degree. Outside of Canada, in countries such as the UK and Australia, it is possible to enter an LL.B. program directly from high school.
 
Students feel J.D. would facilitate international employment.
 
The University of Toronto adopted the J.D. in 2001, while Queen's University and the University of British Columbia recently passed motions to adopt the change. Osgoode (York) and the universities of Windsor and Ottawa are also looking into making changes.

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