Blog and news

Justice Margaret Scott Receives Chief Justices’ Award

April 3, 2018

Justice Margaret Ann Scott Receives the 2017 OJEN Chief Justices’ Award On March 29th, Justice Margaret Scott became the 13th reipient of OJEN's Chief Justices' Award. The award recognizes her commitment to justice education in the Durham region. In 2002 she was the driving force behind the establishment of the Durham Public Legal Education Committee, which she has co-chaired for the past 15 years. Justice Scott is best known for the numerous visits she makes to speak to students in their classrooms and assist in their mock trial preparations. Her ongoing efforts to connect with students both in the courthouse and in their classrooms have put a human face on the justice system and contributed to greater understanding of its role in society.

April 20: Indigenous Youth Perspectives on the Justice System: Listening and Learning

March 29, 2018

Lawyers, workers, students, educators, and members of the OJEN community: please join us on April 20th, from 12-3 pm for the Indigenous youth perspectives on the justice system: listening and learning event. This event is an opportunity for our community in Toronto to support Indigenous youth in their ongoing work towards justice system education and […]

Register Now for the 2018 Summer Law Institute!

March 23, 2018

Date: Tuesday, August 28th and Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 Location: Osgoode Hall, 130 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON The OJEN Summer Law Institute gives Ontario teachers an opportunity to participate in presentations and discussions with judges and lawyers about timely legal issues that enhance classroom teaching and learning. Program: 2018 SLI Program Registration Fee: $95 The registration […]

The Killing of Colten Boushie and the Gerald Stanley Verdict

February 16, 2018

On February 9th 2018, Gerald Stanley was found not guilty by a jury in the shooting death of Colten Boushie, a young Cree man, on Stanley’s farm in rural Saskatchewan. Since the verdict was announced, it has been big in the news and people have questions. Here are some resources we found to help you […]

Register Now for the Spring 2018 Charter Challenge!

February 13, 2018

Looking for a culminating activity for your Law 11 or 12 classes? Announcing the Spring 2018 Charter Challenge! Students from anywhere in Ontario can participate in OJEN’s Charter Challenge as an in-class assignment or an extra-curricular option. As Ontario’s only provincial appellate-level mock hearing, the Charter Challenge has students prepare factums in favour of or […]

Justice Education in the Courtroom

February 8, 2018

Each year thousands of students pass through the doors of Ontario courthouses to observe the justice system in action. Enhancing courthouse visits, making the experience a positive and enriching one for high school students, was the initial concept that sparked the creation of the Ontario Justice Education Network. Courtrooms & Classrooms, OJEN’s flagship program, has grown to involve more than 70 courthouses province-wide. Thanks to the Courtrooms & Classrooms coordinators at these courthouses and the judiciary who volunteer their time, approximately 20,000 students enjoyed OJEN’s court visit program last year alone.

London OJEN Committee Organizes Law Institute for Teachers

February 2, 2018

On Friday, February 23, the London OJEN Committee is offering a full day Law Institute, the first in that city since 2005. It will be hosted by the University of Western Ontario Faculty of Law. The committee put together a day of sessions led by an incredible lineup of speakers from the local legal community.

Justice Education Fellowships Expand OJEN Programming

February 2, 2018

Justice Education Fellows meet for intensive skill development in facilitation and OJEN program models.  Students at post-secondary campuses throughout Ontario have often played an important role in delivering OJEN’s justice education programming to youth in their communities. In 2017 OJEN established Justice Education Fellowships to formalize the post-secondary outreach program in Ontario’s law schools.  Six […]

Call for applications: OJEN Justice Education Fellowships 2018-19

January 24, 2018

OJEN is now accepting applications from Ontario law students for six (6) Justice Education Fellowship positions in 2017-18. If you are an incoming 2L, 3L, or LLM student at an eligible law school (including Lakehead University, University of Ottawa, University of Western Ontario, University of Toronto, Osgoode Hall Law School, and Queen’s University) and you […]

The Benefits of Justice Education – Ashley’s Story

January 15, 2018

At 23, Ashley Harripersad is OJEN’s youngest employee. She brings specialized knowledge and experience that is greatly valued in our office. The insight she brings from being on the receiving side of the justice education experience is both helpful and inspiring.

Reason #15 to Donate to OJEN’s 15th Birthday

December 18, 2017

OJEN focuses on building legal capability in youth. We provide young people with opportunities to develop key knowledge and skills that will enable them to be more confident and effective when they encounter the justice system – from navigating a legal dispute, to using the law to effect social change.