LSA called for applicants for JD/BCL Research Committee

Dear all,

I encourage you to apply to be part of the LSA's JD/BCL Research Committee. We need a solid investigation on how the change should be done. I'm sure this will not take up so much of your time as most information is available online. The sooner the LSA gets enough people to form a research committee, the sooner the change may take place.

I want to be part of the research committee myself but I'm on exchange at the moment. Plus, I might not be considered a "neutral" person on this issue.

Details of application are as follows:

CALL FOR APPLICANTS FOR J.D./LL.B. RESEARCH COMMITTEE

Students of this Faculty have increasingly expressed an interest in the possibility of changing our LL.B. (Bachelor of Law) designation to a J.D. (Juris Doctor).

On November 17th, 2008, a motion was passed by the LSA Council regarding the creation of a committee to investigate several aspects (see below for more detailed description of mandate) related to changing a LL.B degree to a J.D. The committee will be chaired by a member of the Board who was elected by the Council (Alexandra Carbone) and will consist of four students from the undergraduate student body. The committee's tasks will be primarily research-related and an unbiased approach is expected of its members. A report of its findings is to be presented to LSA Council by the end of February. Any students who wish to participate in the committee may forward a short letter of intent explaining your qualifications and interest in this committee to Alexandra Carbone at vp-admin.lsa@mail.mcgill.ca <mailto:vp-admin.lsa@mail.mcgill.ca>.

The deadline is Monday (January 19th) at 5:00 p.m. Depending on the number of students interested, interviews may take place during that week. If you have any questions concerning the issue or the committee, please feel free to contact Alexandra at the e-mail address above, or in person.

Below is a copy of the Motion brought to LSA Council on Monday, November 17th, 2008.

Motion to create a J.D./LL.B Research Committee

Whereas several Canadian common law schools have changed their "LL.B" degree to a "J.D." since 2001

And Whereas there seems to be a growing trend (in Canada and Australia) to have a law degree that is more recognizable

And Whereas it is in the interest of the students that research be done in case a referendum occurs in the Winter semester BIRT the LSA create a J.D./LL.B Research Committee to:

1) look at the procedures that were taken by the J.D. Canadian law schools
2) look at the period of time that it took for these schools to complete the conversion
3) look at the difficulties that arose, if any
4) look at the schools that opted not to convert their degree
5) discuss this issue with alumni and faculty members BIFRT the J.D./LL.B Research Committee be chaired by an LSA Board member and consist of four (4) members of the undergraduate student body