Choosing from the best law schools in Ontario, Canada

Ontario is home to eight law schools, three of which are located in its capital city, Toronto. As of 2025, many of these schools are among the top law schools in Canada. Explore your options by reading some of the best features of these law schools in Ontario, Canada. 

What are the law schools in Ontario, Canada? 

Here’s a look at the different law schools in Ontario, Canada: 

Lakehead University – Bora Laskin Faculty of Law 

Some programs offered 

The Lakehead University offers a Juris Doctor degree with a special focus on the following topics: 

• Sole/small town practice with the IPC 
• Aboriginal and Indigenous law 
• Natural resources and environmental law 

It offers full-time and in-person JD classes covering three years of studies. Currently, the school isn’t accepting international students. 

Admissions criteria 

The school has no minimum requirement when it comes to LSAT or GPA scores. Rather, it investigates the totality of each application before forming a decision. However, each application must include the following documents or requirements before an applicant is even considered: 

• academic record which must show at least three years' worth of undergraduate studies, full time; however, preference is given to those who completed a four-year undergraduate degree 
• official transcript 
• LSAT score 
• personal statements where students can talk about the achievements and strengths 
• autobiographical sketch, which includes research, extra-curricular, and volunteer experience 
• at least two references 
• supporting documents if applying under different categories such as Indigenous, mature, or those who fall under equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility 

Legal clinics and programs offered 

The law school has a law clinic where students can get firsthand experience in assisting with legal disputes. The clinic is administered under the supervision of lawyers and caters to low-income residents of the community.  

The service offered usually falls under the following topics: 

• serious provincial offences 
• minor criminal offences 
• tenant rights 
• small claims court 
• civil disputes under $35,000 
• employment law  

Queen’s University – Faculty of Law 

Some programs offered: 

• Juris Doctor (JD) 
• Master of Laws 
• Master of Economics and JD 
• Master of Industrial Relations and JD 
• Master of Business Administration and JD 
• Master of Public Administration and JD 
• Master of Industrial Relations and JD 

Admissions Criteria 

There are four categories under which students can enroll in Queen’s University – Faculty of Law. There’s the general, Indigenous, access, and Black students. Each category has its own minimum requirements for entry. For example, competitive applicants in the general category should have a GPA of 3.7 and LSAT of 160 at least. 

For the access category, applicants should have a GPA of at least 3.5 and an LSAT of 155. Note though that other factors are considered by the admission committee when making a decision. 

Legal clinics and programs offered 

The Queen’s Law Clinic has several categories that students can choose to participate in. Depending on their interests, students can study cases, provide their legal opinion, and even appear before tribunals. Clinic options include the Prison Law Clinic, Business Law Clinic, Elder Law Clinic, and Family Law. 

There’s also the Queen’s Legal Aid (QLA) Clinic that caters to Kingston residents. Some positions, like articling, also come with payment. The QLA is supported by several organizations like the Legal Aid of Ontario and Pro Bono Students Canada. 

University of Ottawa – Common 

The University of Ottawa (uOttawa) has two law schools in Ontario, Canada. One teaches common law, while the other focuses on civil law. Each one can be regarded as a separate entity having its own faculty, admission requirements, and student services. 

Some programs offered 

• Juris Doctor (English 
• Juris Doctor (French) 
• JD – National Program 
• Master of Laws 
• Certificate of Common Law (French) 
• Doctor of Philosophy in Law 
• Programme de droit canadien 
• JD and Bachelor of Commerce 

Admissions Criteria 

uOttawa looks through an array of factors when considering student applications. Other than scores, they consider matters like significant achievements and extracurricular activities. Linguistics, culture, and even personal success are also taken in during the evaluation process. 

Minimum requirements for applications include three years of undergraduate studies. Strongest applicants typically have a CGPA of 80 percent or an A minus. For the English JD program, students must be above the 70th percentile in their LSAT scores. The weight of scores, however, still depends on the applicant’s total profile. 

Legal clinics and programs offered 

Those who are accepted in uOttawa’s civil law program can choose from different clinic categories for practice. Here are just some of the clinics: 

• University of Ottawa Community Legal Clinic 
• Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic 
• Samuelson-Glushko Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC) 
• Startup Law Clinic 

Here’s a great simplified explanation on common and civil law practiced in Québec. 

University of Ottawa – Civil 

uOttawa's two law schools in Ontario, Canada gives students a wider network when they graduate. For the Civil Law section, programs are available in both English and French. 

Some programs offered 

• Licence en droit 
• Maîtrise générale en droit 
• Certificat général en droit 
• Programme National 
• Doctorat en droit 
• Licence en droit civil et Maîtrise en administration des affaires 
• Licence en droit civil et B.sc.soc. (développement international et mondialisation 

Admissions Criteria 

Admission to the Civil Law section of uOttawa varies depending on the program you want to enroll in. Strong applicants, however, would meet the minimum requirements already stated under the Common Law program. Required documents are uploaded directly through a dedicated page for easy review. 

The school also has several scholarships to help with their studies. Here's an overview of some of them: 

• Elias-Elias scholarships for students with notable life experiences 
• Ruth Bansoba scholarship for Black law students 
• Nicole Sénécal scholarship for Indigenous law students 

Legal clinics and programs offered 

The school has a student exchange program in partnership with other institutions in different regions. Those who want to practice their litigation skills can participate in moot court competitions. As with the Common Law section, legal clinics or outreaches are also available for students to participate in. 

There are efforts to collaborate with different organizations in communicating legal information to those who may need it. This involves dispending on legal advice, offering lectures, or even games for better understanding of the community. 

Explore the top law schools in Ottawa, Canada. Learn about the programs, admission requirements, and student life. A perfect overview for aspiring law students.

University of Windsor – Windsor Law 

Some programs offered 

• Juris Doctor 
• JD and Master of Business Administration 
• JD and Master of Social Work 
• Canadian and American Dual JD 
• Master of Laws 

Legal clinics and programs offered 

Students of Windsor Law get hands-on experience through Community Legal Aid Practice Program. There’s also a Volunteer Program and Legal Assistance of Windsor Practice Program. Legal Assistance is focused on immigration, housing law, and social benefits. Some clinics also have paid positions for students who want to earn while learning. 

Admissions Criteria 

Windsor Law has a holistic approach to the admission process. While they consider LSAT scores, other factors come into play. These include the work experience of the applicant, any community involvement, or objectives in their career. The applicants can also talk about personal accomplishments in their applications. 

Western University – Western Law 

Somes programs offered 

• Juris Doctor 
• Master of Laws 
• Master of Studies in Law 
• Doctor of Philosophy in Law 

Legal clinics and programs offered 

Western Law gives its students the opportunity to really learn about the law profession. They have an array of clinics and services that focus on specific aspects of the practice. Here are some of the clinics of the school: 

• Dispute Resolution Centre 
• Sports Solution Clinic 
• Western Business Law Clinic 
• Pro Bono Students Canada 
• Community Legal Services 

Admissions Criteria 

Western Law has several categories for admission. There’s the general category and discretionary categories for access, mature, and Black applicants. Each category has its own set of requirements for admission. 

Those who fall under the general category must have a GPA of 3.7 or more. For LSAT, the student must be above the 80th percentile to be considered. Note though that the totality of the student’s profile would still be assessed for admission purposes. 

Here’s a helpful video about taking the LSAT for law schools in Ontario, Canada. 

York University – Osgoode Hall Law School 

Somes programs offered 

• Juris Doctor 
• Master of Laws – Research 
• Master of Laws – Professional 
• Doctor of Philosophy in Law 

Legal clinics and programs offered 

Osgoode Hall Law School students are supervised by lawyers during the conduct of legal clinics. Students can also choose to participate in clinics that they’re most interested in. Their options include the Investor Protection Clinic, IP Innovation Clinic, Community and Legal Aid Services Program, Osgoode Mediation Clinic, and more. 

Admissions Criteria 

The school is open for Indigenous applicants. Those who don’t fall under this category must apply through the general section and meet the following requirements: 

• proof of proficiency in the English language 
• complete at least three years of study 
• LSAT scores 
• applicants with less than three years of study must demonstrate their ability to complete the JD program through non-academic experience 

University of Toronto – Faculty of Law 

Degree programs offered 

• Juris Doctor 
• Master of Laws 
• Doctor of Juridical Science 
• Master of Studies in Law 
• Global Professional Master of Laws 

Legal clinics and programs offered 

University of Toronto has several legal clinics that are available for students to practice their legal skills. In-house clinics include the Downtown Legal Services, Constitutional Advocacy Clinic, Investor Protection Clinic, and International Human Rights Clinic. 

For students who wish to further expand their education while enrolled in law schools in Ontario, Canada can volunteer in clinics. Examples include the Aboriginal Legal Services Toronto, the Health Equity and Law Clinic, and others. 

Admissions Criteria 

The school screens for sound judgment, high intelligence, and other factors when considering admission. To do this, they look through student profiles beyond the GPA and LSAT scores of the student. Typical factors include non-academic achievement, impact of disabilities, or response to disadvantaged experiences. 

Toronto Metropolitan University – Lincoln Alexander School of Law 

Somes programs offered 

• Juris Doctor 

Legal clinics and programs offered 

One of the youngest law schools in Ontario, Canada, the Lincoln Alexander School of Law is just getting started with their in-house legal clinic. Students who enroll in Legal Clinic I and II are expected to offer direct services under the lawyer’s supervision. During its first year, the clinic is focused on social assistance and housing cases. 

Admissions Criteria 

This is one of the law schools in Ontario, Canada that considers the totality of the student’s profile. This means that other than LSAT or GPA scores, the committee also looks at the following: 

• personal statement 
• reference letters 
• resume 
• online interview 

How Canada approaches legal education 

Canada follows both common law and civil law legal systems. Specifically, common law is used in all provinces and territories except Québec. With Québec, civil law is followed when it comes to private laws. As a federal state, Canada has national laws that coexist with province or territory specific laws. 

Law schools in Ontario, Canada are therefore equipped to teach law at a federal level. Depending on their location, the curriculum will also include province-specific laws that students will use in their practice. 

What’s is the cheapest law school in Ontario? 

Of the list, the University of Toronto seems to be the cheapest for a full-time JD student. Of course, that’s just a small snapshot of the law schools in Ontario Canada. Some law schools tend to be tougher to get into while others have more lax requirements.  

If you’re looking to study law in Canada, a complete list of Canadian law schools should help you better compare and decide where to enroll. 

Get to know the law schools in Toronto. Discover the best options, and learn about admission requirements for Canadian students pursuing a legal education.