Legal Foundations
Complete 33-Week Canadian Law Curriculum
Start Date
January 2026
Duration
33 Weeks
Course Format
100% Multiple Choice
Grade Level
High School
Lead Instructor: Yianni Patiniotis
Credentials: JD/MBA student at Osgoode Hall Law School & Schulich School of Business
Experience: Professional experience at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, RBC, Fidelity, and TELUS Global Ventures. Passionate about making law accessible and engaging for young learners, with extensive background in legal education and business strategy.
Course Overview
Legal Foundations provides high school students with a comprehensive understanding of Canadian law, from constitutional principles to everyday legal matters. This engaging 33-week course demystifies the legal system and empowers students with practical knowledge they'll use throughout their lives, whether pursuing legal careers or simply becoming informed citizens.
⚖️ Standardized Testing Format
This course uses 100% multiple choice assessments to prepare students for standardized testing environments. All quizzes and exams mirror the format of law school entrance exams (LSAT) and develop critical legal reasoning skills essential for future legal education.
What Your Child Will Learn
🏛️ Constitutional Knowledge
Master Canada's Charter of Rights, constitutional history, and division of powers
⚖️ Criminal & Civil Law
Understand both criminal justice processes and civil dispute resolution
🤝 Practical Applications
Learn about contracts, property rights, consumer protection, and human rights
🌍 Indigenous Perspectives
Explore Indigenous legal traditions and reconciliation
👨⚖️ Court Systems
Navigate Canada's judicial system and legal procedures
📚 Real-World Cases
Study landmark cases that shaped Canadian rights and freedoms
Unit 1: Introduction to Law & Legal Systems (Weeks 1-3)
Understanding why we need laws, how Canada's legal system is structured, natural law versus positive law, and Indigenous legal traditions including traditional approaches to justice and healing.
Unit 2: Constitutional Law & Rights (Weeks 4-8)
Constitutional foundations from 1867-1982, Charter of Rights and Freedoms, division of powers, parliamentary versus constitutional supremacy, and landmark Charter cases that shaped Canadian rights including analysis of Oakes and Morgentaler decisions.
Unit 3: Court Systems & Criminal Justice (Weeks 9-14)
How Canadian courts work, jurisdiction and legal ethics, criminal justice process from investigation to trial, Youth Criminal Justice Act, civil law and torts including negligence and liability, contract law and property rights essential for employment and housing.
Unit 4: Rights & Responsibilities (Weeks 15-20)
Consumer protection and human rights legislation, comprehensive assessment review, mock trial competition with complete case materials, civil law applications with real-world scenarios, contract law and consumer rights in digital age, and human rights implementation in workplace and housing.
Unit 5: Mock Trial & Advocacy (Weeks 21-23)
Case analysis and legal theory development, evidence rules and courtroom objections, opening statements and closing arguments, persuasive advocacy techniques and the art of legal storytelling.
Unit 6: Legal Research & Writing (Weeks 24-26)
Professional legal research skills, advanced research techniques including citation and database searching, LSAT preparation with analytical reasoning and logical thinking exercises.
Unit 7: Advanced Topics (Weeks 27-33)
Advanced criminal law concepts and sentencing, family law fundamentals including marriage and custody, employment law essentials and workplace rights, environmental and administrative law, international law and global justice, legal ethics and professional responsibility, comprehensive course review and final assessment.
Assessment Structure
Weekly Assessments
- Multiple choice quizzes covering weekly content
- Questions designed to develop legal reasoning skills
- Immediate feedback and detailed explanations
- Legal vocabulary and terminology building
Unit Examinations
- Comprehensive unit tests at the end of each major unit
- Cumulative questions integrating legal concepts
- Performance analytics to identify areas for improvement
Canadian Law Focus
This curriculum is specifically designed for Canadian students and covers:
- Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
- Constitution Acts of 1867 and 1982
- Provincial and federal division of powers
- Indigenous legal traditions and reconciliation
- Canadian Criminal Code and Youth Criminal Justice Act
- Landmark Supreme Court of Canada decisions
- Provincial human rights legislation
- Consumer protection and employment standards by province
Law School Preparation
This course provides valuable preparation for students considering legal careers:
LSAT Preparation Integration
- Logical reasoning and analytical thinking development
- Reading comprehension with legal texts
- Argument analysis and identification of logical fallacies
- LSAT-style question practice and strategies
Legal Career Exploration
- Understanding different areas of legal practice
- Law school admission requirements in Canada
- Professional ethics and responsibility
- Legal research and writing fundamentals
Special Features
- Guest Speakers: Legal professionals share insights about their careers
- Courthouse Tours: Virtual or in-person visits to courts and legal institutions
- Mock Trial Competition: Complete mock trial experience with authentic case materials
- Case Analysis: Study of landmark Supreme Court decisions
- Professional Development: Legal writing, research skills, and ethical reasoning
Who Should Enroll
This course is ideal for high school students who:
- Are considering a career in law or legal services
- Want to understand their rights and responsibilities as Canadian citizens
- Are interested in government, politics, or public policy
- Need to understand legal concepts for everyday life
- Are preparing for law school or LSAT
- Want to develop critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills
- Are interested in advocacy, debate, or public speaking
Prerequisites: No prior legal knowledge required. Strong reading comprehension and willingness to engage with complex texts are essential. Interest in current events and social issues is beneficial.
Course Schedule & Time Commitment
- Duration: 33 weeks (January - August 2026)
- Weekly Time Commitment: 4-5 hours per week
- Format: Online with live sessions and recorded lectures
- Live Sessions: Weekly 90-minute interactive classes
- Self-Study: Reading assignments, case studies, and practice questions
- Assessment Time: Weekly quizzes and unit exams
What Parents Need to Know
Practical Life Skills
Beyond legal knowledge, students develop practical skills for everyday life including understanding rental agreements, employment contracts, consumer rights, and how to navigate government systems and bureaucracy.
Civic Engagement
Students learn to be informed citizens who understand their rights, can participate effectively in democratic processes, and recognize when to seek legal assistance.
Progress Tracking
Parents receive regular progress reports detailing quiz scores, participation levels, and areas of strength and improvement. The 100% multiple choice format provides clear, objective performance metrics.
Career Exploration
Students gain realistic insight into legal careers through guest speakers, mock trials, and exploration of different practice areas, helping them make informed decisions about their future education and career paths.
Support Resources
Students have access to instructor office hours, peer discussion forums, additional practice materials, and guidance on legal career paths and law school preparation.
Enroll Your Child Today
Give your child the foundation to understand Canadian law, protect their rights, and become an informed citizen.
Course Starts: January 2026
Limited Enrollment Available
Enroll NowQuestions? Contact us at info@nexxgenedu.com