LEGL – Legal Studies
LEGL 100
Introduction to Law I
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students are introduced to the Canadian legal system and substantive areas of law that are of special interest to legal office support staff. The student will acquire a general knowledge of the basic principles of law and will be able to appropriately apply them to support roles in the legal work environment. Topics of study include the Canadian legal system, constitutional law, human rights, tort, contract, and criminal law.
LEGL 104
Introduction to Law II
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students continue the overview of substantive law provided in Introduction to Law I. The students will acquire a general knowledge of the basic principles of law and will be able to appropriately apply them to support roles in the legal work environment. Topics of study include the civil litigation process, wills and inheritance, family law, personal property, real property, and real estate law.
Prerequisites: LEGL 100.
LEGL 116
Legal Computing and Procedures
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Through the analysis of legal information, management and preparation of business and legal correspondence and legal documents, this course focuses on developing students' knowledge of legal software and development of proficiency required for effective use of commonly used legal software. Students will be introduced to legal procedures used in the modern legal environment and learn how information is managed in the legal environment.
LEGL 180
Financial Procedures for the Law Office
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students study law office administration, with a focus on the procedures and concepts used in law office accounting/trust accounting.
LEGL 200
Paralegals and the Legal Environment
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students examine the role of the paralegal professional in Alberta, including the paralegal's role in law firms and other legal environments. Students will learn how the profession is governed by ethical rules and the Code of Conduct. Students will examine the organization and operation of the law office, learn techniques for practice management and develop skills for managing the client relationship.
Co-requisites: LEGL 299.
LEGL 210
Business Law I
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students are introduced to the Canadian legal system and substantive areas of law that are of special interest to the business student. Topics of study include tort, contract, ethics, agency, partnership and corporations. The student acquires a general knowledge of the basic principles of business law and is able to apply them to everyday business situations. Note: Students can obtain credit in only one of LEGL 105 and LEGL 210.
LEGL 211
Legal Research and Analysis
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students are introduced to the fundamental elements of legal research including analysis of primary and secondary research materials. This course focuses on legal research tasks and analysis, including researching and citing case law, statutes, regulations and legal treatises and monographs.
LEGL 212
Employment Law
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students examine the principles of employment law and its effects on human resources policies and procedures. Students apply contract principles to the employment relationship from both employer and employee perspectives to achieve equitable employment relations. Legislation examined includes labour standards, human rights and privacy. This course does not discuss unionized workplaces.
LEGL 216
Legal Drafting and Information Management Procedures
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
In conjunction with its pre-requisite course, LEGL 116, Legal Drafting and Procedures further develops student skills in analyzing, organizing and communicating legal information using legal drafting and document preparation skills necessary in a modern legal environment. Students are introduced to related legal information management procedures used in the legal environment.
Prerequisites: LEGL 116 or LEGL 170.
LEGL 221
Criminal Law
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students are introduced to substantive law as well as the procedures for criminal law in Canada. Topics include, definitions of offences, related defences, effect of the Charter of Rights on the administration of criminal law, search and seizure powers, arrest, disclosure of information held by the Crown Prosecutor and trial processes.
LEGL 231
Corporate Procedures
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students learn the procedural and substantive law governing Alberta proprietorships, partnerships and corporations, and federal corporations, as well as the processes to create, maintain, amend and terminate the registrations of such organizations.
LEGL 235
Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students explore contemporary developments in law and the practice of civil litigation and dispute resolution alternatives. Subject matter will include litigation steps and processes such as commencement and pleadings, applications, discovery, trial preparation and judgment procedures under the Rules of Court, Court of Queen’s Bench Act and Provincial Court Act. Students will examine selected topics in the litigation process such as personal injury actions, settlement, experts, and civil appeals and will explore alternatives to litigation including alternative dispute resolution methods such as judicial dispute resolution, mediation and arbitration.
LEGL 250
Real Estate Transactions
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students learn the basics of real property law, and in particular how those principles apply to the purchase and sale of real estate. The Alberta Land Titles system is explored in detail. The standard form Real Estate purchase contract is analyzed. The methodology involved in concluding a Real Estate transaction is also covered.
LEGL 261
Creditor and Debtor Law
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students learn significant aspects of creditors’ and debtors' rights, including relevant statute and case law. The emphasis is on provincial legislation and case law relating to the bringing of debt collection processes and the various means of enforcing a judgment. The enforcement of various security interests and other creditor remedies such as landlords' rights of distress are also reviewed.
Prerequisites: LEGL 210.
LEGL 271
Estate Law
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students learn general legal principles surrounding the disposition of property. They explore the law governing the drafting of wills, estates disposition, and substitute decision making (powers of attorney, personal directives and dependent adults). A brief introduction to the law of trusts is also included.
LEGL 281
Family Law
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students learn the substantive and procedural law relating to family law matters, including divorce actions, family law chambers applications and desk divorce applications. Students complete a research project on either a procedural or substantive family law topic. The procedural topic will emphasize document production, in conformity, with the Rules and Practice Directives.
LEGL 291
Legal Technology for Paralegals
3 Credits Weekly (0-3-0)
This course provides an overview of the technological tools that are often utilized in the legal services environment. Students become familiar with different technology tools that increase efficiency and productivity; including software for project management, docketing/accounting, e-Discovery and evidence management, secure web transfer, among others tools. Students will also learn about data management and protection as well the capabilities arising from OCR and Metadata characteristics. Prior completion of LEGL 231 and LEGL 235 is strongly recommended.
LEGL 292
Paralegal Studies
3 Credits Total (45-0-120)
Students examine the role of the paralegal professional in Alberta, including the paralegal's role in law firms and other legal environments. Students will learn how the profession is governed by ethical rules and the Code of Conduct. Students will examine the organization and operation of the law office, learn techniques for practice management and develop skills for managing the client relationship. This course includes a 5 week practicum in which students will observe and work as a student intern.
Prerequisites: Minimum 21 credits of completed LEGL course work.
LEGL 299
Paralegal Studies Practicum
3 Credits Total (45-0-120)
This course (which is to be taken concurrently with LEGL 200) comprises of a 5-week practicum in which students will observe and work as a student intern. The practicum normally takes place in May and June following completion of the student's final term of studies. This course is intended to be taken by students who will have completed all of the requirements of the Paralegal Studies diploma program and who will be a position to graduate upon completion of LEGL 299 and LEGL 200. An assignment may be substituted for the practicum placement in extraordinary circumstances where practicums are not available (such as in the Covid-19 environment). Note: Credit may be granted for either LEGL 292 OR LEGL 200 plus LEGL 299.
Prerequisites: Minimum 24 credits of completed LEGL course work.
Co-requisites: LEGL 200.
LEGL 308
Administrative Law and the Regulatory Environment
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students are introduced to the law that determines how the powers of government and regulatory authorities affect citizens, companies and organizations. Students will gain insight into the governance of modern society through statutory regulations, tribunals and agencies created by government and supervised by the courts. The law is discussed in terms of principles applicable to the boards' hearings and what principles of review and appeal are possible to the Courts. The relationship between the citizen and government is explored by examining specific commissions and authorities established by government.
LEGL 310
Legal Aspects of International Business
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students are introduced to basic principles of international law, the legal structure of the contemporary international business environment, Canada's international trade law and services, fundamentals of common international dispute resolution methods and a selection of common international business transactions.
LEGL 311
Law of Business Transactions
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students will apply legal principles for common business transactions such as confidentiality agreements, partnership agreements, unanimous shareholder agreements, various methods of commercial finance agreements, including secured transactions and equity financing. They will also master the principles and rules concerning the purchase and sale of commercial land and personal property, the purchase of a business enterprise through either purchase of shares of a corporation or by the purchase of assets of a business.
Prerequisites: LEGL 210.
LEGL 312
Legal Issues in the Workplace
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students apply the principles of employment law with an emphasis on analysis of legal risks and liabilities. The course surveys important legal issues that arise between employers and non-unionized employees. The course applies contract principles to the employment relationship from both employer and employee perspectives to achieve equitable employment relations. This course does not discuss unionized workplaces.
LEGL 315
Business Law II
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students examine selected business law topics including the Sale of Goods Act and consumer protection legislation, priority of creditors and enforcement of secured and unsecured debt obligations, the law of personal and real property including enforcement of mortgages along with bailment of personal property and landlord and tenant relationships. The course includes an introduction to the various forms of intellectual property including copyright, patents, trade-marks, and industrial designs. In addition, the student learns about common law protection of confidential information and trade secrets along with protecting intellectual property in the online environment.
Prerequisites: LEGL 210.
LEGL 320
Law of Business Organizations
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students are introduced to the three principal forms of business organization (proprietorships, partnerships, corporations) including variations of these forms such as limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, professional corporations as well as distributing and non-distributing corporations. Students evaluate the advantages and costs of all three forms pertinent to business persons in Alberta and Canada. Topics include liability and duties of directors and officers of corporations and shareholders' rights and remedies. Students are introduced to the process of forming a simple non-distributing corporation in Alberta.
Prerequisite: LEGL 210.
LEGL 350
Real Estate Law
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students learn the basics of real property law, and other legal rules relating to the ownership and use of real property in Alberta. Various types of land ownership are explored, and the Alberta Land Titles system is examined in some detail. The students also gain and understanding of the essentials of mortgages and leases (both commercial and residential). Finally, matters dealing with responsibility for and restrictions on land use, both as outlined in legislation and the common law, are covered.
Prerequisites: LEGL 210.
LEGL 420
Intellectual Property Law
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students are introduced to the principal forms of intellectual property (IP), including copyright, patents, trademarks, industrial designs and confidential information (trade secrets). IP law will be discussed using the case law method with reference to applicable legislation. Students will be able to understand the place of IP law in innovation and develop an IP strategy for business and non profit enterprises.
Prerequisite: Minimum of C- in one 300 level LEGL course.
LEGL 430
Ethics and the Law
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
This course explores the relationship between ethics and the law, between legal rules and the ethical overlay of law. Through reported judicial decisions, legal commentary and current events, students will explore the diversity and range of law as it relates to ethics.
Prerequisite: Minimum of C- in one 300 level LEGL course.
LEGL 440
Law of Corporate Finance
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students are introduced to the law and practice of financing corporations in Canada. Topics covered include the legal nature of equity and debt, basic securities law, structure of the Canadian public markets, private company fundraising, public company finance, private and public mergers & acquisitions and the due diligence process. Processes, procedures, forms of agreements and standard terms & conditions relating to corporate finance law will be discussed, with the goal of providing students with a foundational understanding of the law relevant to the process of raising capital for business growth and development.
LEGL 450
Individual Research Topics in Legal Studies
3 Credits Total (0-0-45)
This course permits a senior-level student to work with an instructor to explore a specific topic in depth through research or directed reading in primary and secondary sources. The student plans, executes, and reports the results of their independent research or study project under the direction of a faculty supervisor. To be granted enrollment in the course, the student must have made prior arrangements with a faculty member willing to supervise his or her project.
Prerequisites: LEGL 210 & LEGL 211 & Consent of the Department.
LEGL 460
Legal Issues in Indigenous Business Relations
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students will gain insight into the intersection between law and policy in developing and sustaining successful business relations involving Indigenous people, communities, and territory.
Prerequisites: 300-level LEGL course.
LEGL 470
Jurisprudence
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students are introduced to fundamental jurisprudential principles underlying global legal systems. They will critically examine some central problems in jurisprudence concerning the nature of law and the relevance of legal theory to legal practice. In doing so, students will reflect on how key legal concepts and ideas are shaped by historical, societal, economic, and moral considerations. Topics include defining law; morality versus law; theories of liberty, autonomy, rights, justice, and equality; the rule of law; and civil disobedience.
LEGL 497
Special Topics in Legal Studies in Business
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
This course involves reading, discussing and critically evaluating current research on specialized topics of interest to senior students in the Bachelor of Commerce who declare their major in Legal Studies in Business. Topics covered vary with the interests of students and faculty and may include an applied field research component in business, government or community. Students should consult with faculty members in the Department of International Business, Marketing, and Strategy and Law for details regarding current offerings.
Prerequisite: Minimum of C- in one 300 level LEGL course and consent of the department chair or designate.
LEGL 498
Independent Studies in Business Law
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
In consultation with and supervised by a member of the department or an approved professional in the community, a senior student undertakes advanced scholarly work related to the field of legal studies in business. The faculty member guides the student in designing and undertaking this work, using appropriate assumptions and methods to arrive at warranted conclusions and outcomes that will advance legal studies in business knowledge or practice. Note: This course can be taken twice for credit.