The Runnymede Society is a membership-based organization that invites speakers from all across the ideological spectrum to debate legal ideas that engage the rule of law, constitutionalism, and individual liberty. The goal is to focus on these age-old principles in the context of real issues that are not often explored in the law school classrooms.

Faisal Bhabha and Dwight Newman: Constitutional Cleaves at the Supreme Court of Canada

  This episode of Runnymede Radio is a special encore presentation of one of our best events from the past school year in which Professor Faisal Bhabha sat down with Professor Dwight Newman to discuss what they refer to as the emerging constitutional cleaves at the Supreme Court of Canada. This event was originally hosted by our Osgoode Hall Law School chapter in February 2023.

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Law & Freedom 2023: The Emergencies Act and the ‘Freedom Convoy’

Prof. Ryan Alford, Prof. Leah West, Asher Honickman, and Cara Zwibel discuss the Emergencies Act and the ‘Freedom Convoy’ in a conversation moderated by Prof. Malcolm Lavoie. Please note that this panel was recorded before the Public Order Emergency Commission released its report regarding the invocation of the Emergencies Act.

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Law & Freedom 2023: The Future of Section 12

Prof. Yuan Yi-Zhu, Prof. Lisa Kerr, and Prof. Steven Penney discuss the future of Section 12 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms following the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in R v Bissonnette. A conversation moderated by Jessica Kuredjian.    

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Runnymede Fellows Program

The Runnymede Society seeks papers relating to themes of the rule of law, freedom, and constitutionalism. Any paper broadly falling into one of these categories is eligible. Papers should be between 5,000 and 10,000 words. Note that fellowship recipients may be required to condense the length of their papers prior to publication. Eligibility: Any current undergraduate law student or current articling/clerking students. Prizes:  Two cash prizes of $4000 are available. The cash prizes come with a chance to be published

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WHY JOIN THE RUNNYMEDE SOCIETY?

INTELLECTUAL ENRICHMENT

We provide funding for debates, symposia, and panel discussions with external speakers and refreshments. We are able to assist with reaching out to speakers and fund out-of-town speaker travel expenses.

SOCIAL LIFE

We host regular networking events with local members of the legal profession, academics, journalists, and other students.

ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE

We aim to connect first-year students with upper-years who can provide mentorship and academic guidance, as well as course summaries.

Mission

In 2016, we founded the Runnymede Society as a national student membership organization dedicated to exploring the ideas and ideals of constitutionalism, liberty and the rule of law. We provide outstanding support and opportunities for intellectual enrichment, networking, and professional development, including by providing members opportunities to meet and enrich their legal knowledge with professors, practitioners, and judges.

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