Supreme Court of Canada Judge Encourages Creativity in the Courtroom

Madam Justice Marie Deschamps, of the Supreme Court of Canada, visited Dalhousie Law School during Law Hour on March 6, 2008 to encourage students to think outside of the box when presenting legal arguments. “It takes skill and imagination to be an effective advocate”, said Deschamps. “You have to know the law, master the facts, and be able to apply both in a creative way.”

Adam Picotte, Madam Justice Marie Deschamps, Dean Phillip Saunders (Daniel Abriel)

Justice Dechamps discussed the importance of using well established principles, but cautioned that if they are not applied in new ways, the law will cease to respond to the reality of people’s situations. In order to keep the law relevant and effective, she offers this advice to students: “analysis and logic are key ingredients to legal reason, but imagination is what it takes to make truly effective advocacy.”

Law Hour is a student organized, student run regular meeting that invites speakers on a range of topics to come to the law school and speak with students. This year’s chair of the Law Hour Committee is second year student, Adam Picotte.