On this page:
±õ.ÌýGold medals
II. Class ranking & academic achievement
III. Achievements in courses & subject areas
IV. Contributions to the life of the Faculty
V. Prizes & scholarships for post-graduate studies
VI. Faculty Essay Contests
VII. Internship Awards and Educational Opportunities
The Faculty of Law offers merit-based, need-based, opportunity-based prizes and scholarships, as well as post-graduate and travelling scholarships, all of which are awarded by the Prizes & Scholarships Committee.
The awards are based on academic achievement, extra-curricular engagement, personal qualities, dedication to the legal profession, current and future aspirations, financial need, or some combination of these.. All prizes and scholarships are approved by the Faculty Council. These awards are made possible through the generous contributions of alumni and friends.
Discretionary prizes
The Prizes and Scholarships Committee awards a number of discretionary prizes and scholarships each year. To assist in the Committee's work, students provide input into the selection process by putting forward candidates via an on-line nomination form. The nomination process typically begins each March.
Post-graduate and travelling scholarships
Described below, a number of Post-Graduate and Travelling Scholarships are available for graduating students, or for recent alumni, who intend on pursuing further studies.
I. Gold medals
- Elizabeth Torrance Gold Medal
Awarded to the student who completes the Â鶹AV BCL/JD Program with the most distinguished standing upon graduation. - Aimé Geoffrion Medal
awarded to the student who completes the Â鶹AV BCL/JD Program with highly distinguished standing, having finished second upon graduation. - Principal David L. Johnston Medal
awarded to the student who completes the Â鶹AV BCL/JD Program with highly distinguished standing and having contributed in an outstanding manner to the Faculty in the areas of academic, social and community life. To nominate yourself, use our online Johnston Medal application form [web]. Deadline: May 1st of each year.
II. Prizes for class ranking and overall distinguished academic achievement
1. Prizes for students in second, third and fourth years
- Class of Law 1986 Most Improved Prize
Established by the Class of 1986 on the occasion of their 30th anniversary of graduation. Awarded by the Faculty of Law Scholarship Committee to one or more BCL/JD students in their 2nd, 3rd or 4th year who have demonstrated the most significant improvement in academic performance from their first academic year. - Stikeman Elliott Diversity Scholarship
Established in 2021 by Stikeman Elliott LLP to contribute towards remedying the exclusion experienced by groups historically underrepresented in higher education and their often limited social or financial support for a legal education. Awarded on the basis of academic and extracurricular achievement to a student who has completed at least one year of the BCL/JD Program. Preference will be given to students facing systemic barriers to education – especially Black and Indigenous students – who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents. - Dentons LLP Black Student Excellence Scholarship
Established in 2023 by Dentons Canada LLP, to support the education and development of Canada’s future leaders through the promotion of diversity and equity in the legal profession. Awarded annually on the basis of academic achievement and community engagement to one Black student who has completed at least one year of the BCL/JD Program in the Faculty of Law.
2. Prizes for students in third and fourth years
- Prix Souvenir George S. Challies Memorial Award (Discretionary Prize)
- The following extract is taken from an address given by the Hon. Chief Justice Jules Deschênes of the Superior Court to the Â鶹AV Law Graduates Association on December 13, 1973: "Mr. Justice Challies, BA (1931), MA (1933), BCL (1935), MCL (1947), left us prematurely earlier this year and the judges of the Superior Court of the Province of Quebec have thought that they should erect a monument, however small, to his memory. Where then better than at his Alma Mater? We have, therefore, raised among ourselves a sum of money which it is our pleasure to donate to Â鶹AV, for the money to be held in trust and the return valued at $300 to be given yearly to a deserving student under the name of “Prix Souvenir George S. Challies - George S. Challies Memorial Award.†- Joseph Cohen Q.C. Award (Discretionary Prize)
Founded in 1962 by the friends and associates of Joseph Cohen, Q.C., this award is made to a deserving student. - Â鶹AV Alumnae Society Prize
Presented annually by the Â鶹AV Alumnae Society, upon the recommendation of the Law Faculty, to a distinguished student for excellence and high academic standing (preference given to women students). - Rosa B. Gualtieri Prize (Discretionary Prize)
awarded to a graduating student deemed to be of high academic standing and exceptional personal qualities as demonstrated in the graduating year or throughout the course of studies. - Cheryl Rosa Teresa Doran Award (Discretionary Prize)
awarded to a deserving graduating student on the basis of academic merit, steadfastness, and dedication to the profession of law. - Stanley Kandestin, Q.C., Prize (Discretionary Prize)
awarded to a graduating student who has achieved a distinguished academic record and who has made a significant contribution to the life of the faculty. - Selma and Jak Almaleh Prize (Discretionary Prize)
Established in 2004 by Mr. Jak Almaleh, BCL'73. Awarded by the Faculty of Law to an outstanding law student in the graduating class, with consideration given to financial need.
3. Prizes for students in third year
- Kark Claxton, Jr. Memorial Award (Discretionary Prize)
awarded to a student having achieved distinguished standing in the third year of the BCL/JD Program; the Award is intended to recognize Kark's friendship, good humour and generosity of spirit. - Lyon William Jacobs, Q.C. Award (Discretionary Prize)
awarded to a second or third year student who shows the most progress in his/her studies and is also in financial need. - McMillan Scholarship in Law (Discretionary Prize)
Established in 2014 by McMillan LLP for two or more outstanding students having completed at least one year of the BCL/JD Program in the Faculty of Law. Awarded by the Faculty of Law on the basis of academic merit and leadership in extracurricular and community activities. Value: Varies
4. Prizes for students in second year
- Alexander Morris Exhibition Prize
awarded to the student who obtains the highest standing in the second year. - Maurice Alexander Scholarship
Bequeathed in 1950 by the late Maurice Alexander, C.M.G., K.C., of London, England, as a token of esteem for the late Sir Charles Peers Davidson, BCL (1863), former Professor of Criminal law at Â鶹AV (1898-1919). Awarded to the student obtaining the second highest standing in second year. - Louis Gosselin Scholarship in Law
Established in 2013 by Lorraine Gosselin, in honour of her great uncle, Louis Gosselin, BCL 1903, for outstanding students in the Faculty of Law.Ìý Awarded on the basis of high academic standing to students who have completed at least one year of the BCL/JD Program in the Faculty of Law. Value: Varies - McMillan Scholarship in Law (Discretionary Prize)
Established in 2014 by McMillan LLP for two or more outstanding students having completed at least one year of the BCL/JD Program in the Faculty of Law. Awarded by the Faculty of Law on the basis of academic merit and leadership in extracurricular and community activities. Value: Varies
5. Prizes for students in first year
- The Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP Scholarship (Discretionary Prize)
awarded to a student entering second year who has obtained an academic standing in the top 10% of their class. Special consideration may be given for financial need, involvement in the community and extra-curricular activities at the University or at the Faculty of Law. Renewable for one year provided the holder maintains an academic standing in the top 20% of their class. - Borden Ladner Gervais Professional Excellence Award (Discretionary Prize)
awarded by the Faculty of Law to a first-year student who demonstrates academic excellence together with a commitment to professional and service excellence by consistently expanding his/her knowledge of the law, demonstrating the highest standards of integrity, offering innovative ideas, taking a collaborative approach, and contributing to the community. The Prize was originally created in 1995 by way of a donation from McMaster Meighen, one of the five legacy firms of Borden Ladner Gervais and one of the oldest law firms in Canada. The Montreal office of Borden Ladner Gervais was founded in 1823, two years after the founding of Â鶹AV itself, by William Badgley, who in 1844 was named in charge of teaching law at Â鶹AV in the Arts Faculty. In 1851 he was named as the first Professor of Law, and Dean of the Faculty of Law when it opened in 1853. The firm’s second partner, Sir John Abbott, another partner of the firm, replaced him as Dean in 1855 and remained in that office for 25 years. In 1950, W.C.J. Meredith left the firm to become Dean, which position he held until his death in 1960. - Adolphe Mailhoit Memorial Prize
awarded to the student who achieves the highest standing in first year (to be used for the purchase of law books). - John Claxton Scholarship
Established in 2011 in honour of John Claxton, BCL 1950, for outstanding undergraduate students who have completed at least one year of the BCL/JD Program. Awarded by the Faculty of Law on the basis of academic merit. Value: varies - The Lord Reading Society of Montreal Prize
awarded to the student who achieves the highest standing in first year. - Wilson & Lafleur Ltée Award
awarded to a deserving first year student.
III. Prizes for achievement in courses and subject areas
1. Corporate and Commercial Law
- Allan Neil Assh Memorial Award
awarded to the student having the highest standing in the basic course in the law of Business Associations. - I.M.E. Prize in Commercial Law
awarded to the member of the graduating class having the highest standing in Commercial Law throughout the program. - Yoine Goldstein Book Prize in Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law
awarded to the student obtaining the highest mark in the Faculty's basic course in Bankruptcy Law.
2. Corporate and Taxation Law
- Philip F. Vineberg Q.C. Award
awarded to a graduating student having achieved distinction in the fields of Corporate Law and Taxation. - MacKay Award
awarded to the student obtaining the highest standing in the Corporate Taxation course.
3. Criminal Law
- John E. Crankshaw Prize (Discretionary Prize)
awarded to the student who has the highest standing in Criminal Law subjects at Â鶹AV and who has been admitted to the Bar of Quebec. - Chief Justice Greenshields Prize in Criminal Law
awarded to the member of the graduating class having the highest standing in Criminal Law throughout the program.
4. Civil Law (general)
- Daniel Mettarlin Memorial Scholarships (Discretionary Prize)
awarded to one or two students entering third or fourth year who have achieved academic distinction in the study of civil law and who have shown an interest in public interest advocacy. - Montreal Bar Association Prize
awarded to the student who obtains the highest standing in Civil Law throughout the program. - Thomas Alexander Rowat Prize (Discretionary Prize)
awarded at present to a student who has shown the most progress in the French language and proficiency in the Civil Law either by attaining a high aggregate standing in the group of courses consisting of Obligations and Property, or through the submission of a meritorious written contribution on a civil law subject in French, whether the contribution be a term essay or paper written as part of a course requirement.
5. Civil Law (The Law of Security)
- Caron Memorial Trophy Cup
awarded to the student who attains the highest academic achievement in the Civil Law courses related to the Law of Security.
6. Civil Law (Obligations)
- H. Eric Feigelson Obligations Prize
awarded to the first year student obtaining the highest standing in the Law of Obligations.
7. Civil Law (Special Contracts)
- Gerald S. Tritt, Q.C. Prize
awarded to the student with the highest ranking in Special Contracts.
8. Civil and Common Law (Insurance)
- Prix d'Excellence Robinson Sheppard Shapiro
awarded to a student in the BCL/JD Program for distinction in the law of insurance.
9. Civil and Common Law (Property)
- Justice Jeffrey Edwards Prize
awarded to anÌýundergraduate student for the best overall grade or essay, factum, or memorandum submitted in an area of the law relating to product quality and liability, including but not limited to, consumer law, property law, torts, obligations, commercial, construction and environmental law. - Elizabeth Carmichael Monk, Q.C. Property Law Prize
awarded to a graduating student who achieves high standing in the Law of Property throughout the program. - William Kagan Memorial Prize
awarded to a graduating student who has achieved distinction in the study of real estate law.
10. Civil and Common Law (Evidence and Procedure)
- Dawson A. McDonald, Q.C. Memorial Prize
Established in 1986 in memory of the late Dawson A. McDonald, Q.C., BA (1915), BCL (1920), City Attorney of the City of Montreal for many years. Funded by his late wife, Mrs. Margaret McDonald, his late son, Mr. Hamilton McDonald, and Mrs. Susan Button McDonald. In recognition of Mr. McDonald's skill as a trial advocate, this prize is awarded to the student obtaining the highest standing in the course Judicial Law and Evidence. - Philip Meyerovitch, Q.C. Prize
awarded to the graduating student obtaining the highest standing in Evidence.
11. Civil Procedure
- Montreal Bar Association Prize
awarded to the student who obtains the highest standing in Civil Procedure throughout the law program.
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- STEP Canada Award in Equity/Estate/Trusts awarded on the basis of academic excellence to the top student (or split between the top two students in the event of equal academic performance) enrolled in one of the following courses: LAWG 504 Death and PropertyÌý,ÌýPRV4 549 Equity and Trusts,ÌýPRV4 548 Admin Property of Another and Trusts or any other combination thereof.
13. The Â鶹AV Program
- Henry Benson Prize
awarded to a student entering third year who achieves the highest standing in those courses which comprise the entire obligatory content of the first two years of the Â鶹AV Program.
14. The Notarial Profession
- H.E. Herschorn Prize (Discretionary Prize)
awarded to the highest ranking graduating student who intends to enter the Notarial Profession.
15. Intellectual and Industrial Property
- Bereskin and Parr Prize
awarded to the student who achieves highest standing in the basic course in the Law of Intellectual and Industrial Property. In any year in which the course is not offered, the prize may be awarded instead for distinguished writing in the field.
16. Human Rights
- Nathan Cotler Memorial Prize in Human Rights Law
awarded annually to the graduating student who achieves the highest standing in the field of Human Rights throughout the program. - The Nancy Park Memorial Prize
awarded on the basis of academic merit. Preference will be given to a student participating in an internship in Russia. - The Lindsey Anne Cameron Award
awarded annually by the Faculty in consultation with the Student Aid Office to an outstanding undergraduate student participating in a human rights internship. Financial need will also be taken into consideration.
17. Constitutional Law
- Stephen A. Scott Award in Constitutional Law
created in 2002 on the occasion of Professor Scott's retirement, by colleagues, staff and current students, as a tribute to his dedication and loyalty throughout 35 years of service to the Faculty of Law. Awarded each year to the first-year student most meritorious in the field of Constitutional Law. - Francis Reginald Scott Prize in Constitutional Law
awarded annually to the student who achieves the most distinguished standing in Constitutional Law in the BCL/JD Program.
18. Constitutional and Public Law
- Maurice Goldenberg Memorial Scholarship
awarded annually to the student who shows particular promise in the field of Constitutional and Public Law.
19. Public International Law
- Louis H. Rohrlick Memorial Prize
awarded to the student of the graduating class having the highest standing in Public International Law throughout the program. - Hans Hermann Oppenheimer Scholarship
awarded annually to a student in second or third year who has shown particular promise in the field of public international law and is also in financial need. - Maxwell Cohen Award
awarded to a student in the graduating class who has demonstrated overall highest academic achievement in the course in public international law and in at least one advanced course in the area of public international law.
20. Air and Space Law
- Nicholas Mateesco Matte Prize
founded in 1978 by Dr. Nicholas M. Matte, O.C., Q.C. An annual prize awarded to an Institute of Air and Space Law student obtaining the highest mark in the "Space Law and Institutions" course. - Jose Bogolasky Memorial Prize in International Air Law
awarded on the recommendation of the Institute of Air and Space Law to the student or students in the Masters or Diploma program in the Institute of Air and Space Law achieving the highest standing in public international air law. - The Setsuko Ushioda-Aoki Prize
awarded on the basis of academic merit to a graduate student in the LLM program at the Institute of Air & Space Law. - George S & Anne K. Robinson Space Law Prize
Established in 2014 by friends and family of Dr. George S. Robinson III, a visionary space law scholar who obtained the world’s first doctoral degree in space law from Â鶹AV in 1970, the prize is awarded to a graduating student at the Institute of Air and Space Law on the basis of his/her successful doctoral thesis exhibiting advanced research capabilities and constituting an original contribution to space jurisprudence.
21. Foundations of Canadian Law
- Mr. Justice Harry Batshaw Prize
awarded to the student having the highest standing in the Foundations of Canadian Law course.
22. Jurisprudence
- Fern Gertrude Kennedy Prize in Jurisprudence
awarded to a student who achieves high academic standing in the study of Jurisprudence and Legal Theory. The prize may also be awarded for distinguished writing, whether within a course or as a supervised essay.
23. Legal History
- Osgoode Society Legal History Book Prize
awarded to a student who, in the opinion of Faculty, merits special recognition for work in legal history.
24. Real estate law
- De Grandpré Chait Real Estate Award
Established in 2009 by De Grandpré Chait LLP. Awarded by the Faculty of Law to a student who has completed at least one year of the BCL/JD Program and who has demonstrated excellence in the field of real estate law. In honour of the recipient of the De Grandpré Chait Real Estate Award and in recognition of the importance of financial support to Law students, De Grandpré Chait will make a gift to the Law Prize Winners Bursary Fund, which will be used to support bursaries for students in the final year of their studies in the Faculty of Law.
25. Advocacy/Litigation
- James A. Woods Scholarship in Civil Litigation
Established in 2013 by Me. James A. Woods, BA 1970, BCL 1974, LLB 1974. Awarded by the Faculty of Law to an outstanding student who has completed at least one year of the BCL/JD Program and who has shown strong potential in advocacy/litigation, as evidenced in courses with a focus on advocacy and litigation-oriented co-curricular activities. Value: varies.
26. Law journals
- I. Ballon Memorial Medal
Awarded to the most outstanding student on the Board of Editors of the Â鶹AV Law Journal/Revue de droit de Â鶹AV. - Max Crestohl Prize
Awarded to the student who has submitted the best written contribution to any of the student-run journals in the Â鶹AV Faculty of Law. - Gary Nachshen Journals of Law Prize
Established in 2011 by family and friends in memory of Gary Nachshen, BCL 1987, for a full-time student in the Faculty of Law who is involved in a law journal and who demonstrates academic excellence. Awarded by the Faculty of Law to a student involved in the Joumal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy, the McGiII Joumal of Law and Health, or the McGiII Law Joumal, with the highest GPA.
27. Moots
- John G. Ahern, Q.C. Memorial Award
awarded for the most meritorious contribution to the Faculty's Mooting Program for outstanding performance in external moots.
28. Essays
Please note that candidates for the following prizes must be nominated by the supervisor of an essay, or by the Director of the Institute or Fund.
- Wainwright Essay Prize
Awarded for the best written contribution in Civil Law by an undergraduate law student, whether the contribution be an essay or other paper and whether written as an elective or as part of a course requirement, or voluntarily. It will only be awarded if a high standard is achieved. This prize is intended to support student writing in the Faculty and to encourage a student having written an outstanding essay to revise such essay for publication. - J.S.D. Tory Writing Awards
awarded to one student or shared by up to four students to support student writing in the Faculty of Law and to permit students having submitted outstanding term essays to revise such essays for publication. - H. Patrick Glenn Graduate Essay PrizeÌý(formallyÌýInstitute of Comparative Law Essay Prize) (for graduate students)
awarded annually on the recommendation of the Institute of Comparative Law to a DCL or LLM student in the first year of residence in the Institute.​ - The Honourable Madam Justice Carol Cohen, BA 1977, BCL 1982Ìýawarded by the Faculty of Law to a student or student team for the best essay, factum, or memorandum, having an emphasis on ethical advocacy, submitted in the areas of advocacy, legal ethics, evidence, and/or civil or criminal procedure.
IV. Prizes for contributions to the life of the Faculty
- David Litner, Q.C. Scholarship (Discretionary Prize)
awarded to a meritorious student entering second or third year who has made a significant contribution to the life of the Faculty. - The Richard Golick Extracurricular Achievement Prize (Discretionary Prize)
awarded to a second year student for leadership in extracurricular activities, particularly those extracurricular activities that bring recognition to the Faculty through service to the community. -
The Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella PrizeÌý(Discretionary Prize)
A graduating law student in each of the law schools in Canada who is most likely to positively influence equity and social justice in Canada or globally upon graduation. Each year the prize winners will be celebrated collectively through an announcement by the RSC in early April.Ìý
V. Prizes and scholarships for post-graduate studies
Use our online web form to apply for one of these post-graduate scholarships. The deadline is May 1, each year.
- Macdonald Travelling Scholarship (for Â鶹AV Law Graduates Pursuing Graduate Studies Elsewhere)
The Macdonald Travelling Scholarship, founded by the will of the late Sir William Macdonald, will be awarded by the Faculty of Law to one or more members of the graduating class, or of a recent class, with a distinguished academic record in the Faculty, to enable such student or students to pursue graduate studies in law. Preference is to be given to students who wish to pursue their graduate studies in a language other than their mother tongue, and preference is also to be given to students intending to study in a francophone institution. - Thomas Shearer Stewart Travelling Fellowship
awarded annually to a recent graduate of the Faculty of Law designated by the Dean of the Faculty, preference being given to a graduate who is a Canadian citizen intending to reside in Canada upon completion of his/her studies. The Fellowship is to be used for a graduate to follow a program of studies in Law at a university approved by the Dean of the Faculty, other than at a university in Québec. Candidates should make application for this Fellowship through the Undergraduate Student Office. - Spiegel Sohmer Taxation Scholarship (Discretionary Prize)
awarded to a member of the graduating class or of a recent class on the basis of distinction in the field of Taxation throughout the program and interest in the study of Taxation as a legal discipline, including possible post-graduate intentions. Candidates may indicate their eligibility for this award through the Undergraduate Student Office. - John W. Cook, K.C. Prize
awarded annually to an outstanding member of the graduating class in law on the basis of high academic standing throughout the program, participation in Faculty activities and possible postgraduate intentions. Candidates may indicate their eligibility for this award through the Student Affairs Office. - Edwin Botsford Busteed Scholarship
awarded to an applicant chosen by the Faculty who desires to carry out graduate research on some subject connected with the law of Quebec and approved by the Faculty. The scholarship can be used to supplement funds for graduate studies already received from other sources. Candidates should make application through the Student Affairs Office. - Gualtieri-Doran Scholarship
awarded by the Faculty of Law, on the basis of academic merit, to a graduating student who wishes to pursue further studies in law or a related discipline. Special consideration will be given to students who demonstrate financial need and have made a distinctive contribution to the profession of law or the wider community. - Daniel Jutras International Graduate Studies Award
awarded to a graduating student, or a student having graduated in the previous three years, who will be or is pursuing graduate studies abroad, with a preference given to a student focusing on comparative law.
VI. Faculty Essay Contests
- Nappert Essay Prize in International Arbitration
Made possible by the generosity of Sophie Nappert, BCL’86, LLB’86, this biannual essay contest aims to further research in commercial arbitration or investment arbitration. Find out more. - Baxter Family Competition in International Federalism
This biannual essay contest, which has been made possible through the generous support of Rachel Baxter, BSc’84, BCL’88, and Colin Baxter, BCL’90, LLB’90, aims to advance research and foster informed debate on federalism. Find out more.
VII. Internship Awards and Educational Opportunities
Students interested in going gaining internship experience should be aware of the following:
- Elizabeth L. Thomson International Experience Award Established by Elizabeth L. Thomson, LLB’74, BCL’75, for BCL/JD students to gain practical experience during their studies and broaden their horizons by undertaking an international internship in Hong Kong. Find out more.
- The Katherine Petcher & Brett Carron Internship Award
Established by Katherine E. Petcher, BCL’92, LLB’92, and Brett A. Carron, BCL’95, LLB’95, for BCL/JD students to gain practical experience during their studies and broaden their horizons by undertaking an international internship, with preference being given to internships in Burkina Faso and second preference being given to internships in West Africa. Find out more. - The Nathan Schipper Internship Award
Established by the Class of Law of 1992, in memory of their classmate, Nathan Schipper, BCL’92, LLB’92, to help BCL/JD students gain firsthand experience related to their fields of study through an internship. Awarded to help defray travel and accommodation expenses related to the internship. Preference will be given to students interning in Israel. Find out more. - The David W. Binet Student International Award
Established by David W. Binet, LLB'85, in 2014, this award supports extended international study and research projects, normally of a duration of between one semester and an academic year, such as an exchange abroad, or an internship abroad as part of a Major option (WRIT 300D1/D2). This fund is only for emergency aid for students abroad and is disbursed byÌýthe Student Affairs Office. If you are in need of funds and have exhausted all other resources, please write to the SAO. - Enriched Educational Opportunities (EEOs) Bursaries
EEOs are high quality mobility or work experience opportunities that take place outside of the classroom and are officially recognized by the Faculty of Law. The University has provided the Scholarships and Student Aid Office with special funding to pilot a need-based EEO Bursary Program for full-time undergraduate already receiving need-based aid. Funding is available for qualifying Law students for the following EEO opportunities: Unpaid Internships; Major Internships; Legal Clinic Course; Student Clerkships; International Human Rights Internships; or Independent Human Rights Internships. Find out more.