Suggested Topics

Last updated: July 11, 2017

What follows is a list of possible topics for your Paper. These are only suggestions and starting points, and are not necessarily topics which will turn out to be suitable in terms of the length and difficulty of your paper.

Part of your assignment is to restate and redefine your topic so that your Paper satisfies the requirements of the course. One good strategy for doing this is to discuss just one hypothetical fact situation which raises a narrow issue within the broader topic.

You are free to choose a topic which is not on this list.

A minister of the Crown makes a contract on behalf of the government. Subsequently, that minister introduces a bill which is passed by Parliament or the legislature, and which changes the rights of the non-government party to the contract. In these circumstances, can the goverment be found liable on any basis for economic loss as a result of the changes?
The distinction between joint and several liability.
The validity of a municipal bylaw which requires a licence or permit for the use of public spaces for special events, one of the terms being that the organizers of the event will pay for police services associated with traffic control. The bylaw makes no distinction between political demonstrations and cultural events.
Charter implications of the family reunification objective in Canada's immigration policy.
In a dispute settlement agreement between two parties, one party promises not to sue any other person who might claim contribution or indemnity from the other party. To what extent is such a promise enforceable by someone who is not a party to the dispute settlement agreement?
Parent and infant child suffered personal injuries, and claim they were caused by a third person. No settlement agreement is made in respect of the child's injuries. However, in a dispute settlement agreement between the parent and the third person, the parent promises to indemnify the second person in respect of any damages which the parent's infant child may claim from the second person. Is this a valid agreement? If not, is the offending portion severable? and what would be the resulting status of the parent's personal claim?
Divorce and custody litigation and the role of alternative dispute resolution.
Substitute decision making in Ontario.
Same-sex family rights.
International huan rights: the individual in international law.
A "Weird Al Yankovic" type performer parodies a song. How far does the "parody defence" go in Canadian law
Freedom of religion and a high school newspaper editorial.
A bank manager/teller's fiduciary obligations regarding suspicious transactions by the nephew of a long-term, elderly customer under a power of attorney.
A minor enters into contracts on the Internet using the parent's credit card. Whether the transaction is enforceable.
Enforceability of the waiver on the back of a Blue Jays ticket where a parent takes an infant child to the game, the child gets hit by a bat and whether the waiver binds the child (as an infant).
Sanctuary in a church in Canada by a refugee about to be deported.
International law, state sovereignty, and the doctrine of humanitarian intervention.
The doctrine of legal privilege: compelling production of privileged information.
The Appropriation of personality in Canada.
Compulsory drug-testing of employees, and mandatory drug-testing policies.
Young offenders: legislative, judicial and social responses.
The October crisis and invocation of the War Measures Act.
Class action litigation in Ontario: the certification of a class and the bringing of a class action suit.
Legalization of marijuana.
Legalization of prostitution.
The judicial appointment process in Canada.
Holding judges accountable: the sanctioning of judges and the role of the Canadian Judicial Council.
Corporal punishment of children: parental rights versus children's Charter protection.
Cultural bias in jury empanelling.
Hate speech and freedom of expression.
Pornography and freedom of expression.
Euthanasia and assisted suicide.