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The Big (Legal) Picture: An Introduction to Legal Studies 2

The Big (Legal) Picture: An Introduction to Legal Studies 2

Author(s): Rebecca Jaremko Bromwich

Edition: 1

Copyright: 2025

Pages: 119

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$65.00 USD

ISBN 9798385161966

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New Publication Coming Soon!

Find an entry point into the world of Canadian law with A Big (Legal) Picture, an accessible introduction designed for post-secondary students and curious laypeople alike. Whether you're exploring law for the first time or just want to understand your rights and responsibilities, this guide breaks down the key principles of Canada’s legal system in clear, everyday language, and provides an overview of critical perspectives on legality and governmentality. 

From the foundations of constitutional law to the workings of criminal, civil, and administrative law, this book covers the essentials with real-world examples and engaging explanations. Learn how laws are made, how courts operate, and how legal decisions impact everyday life in Canada. Perfect for beginner students in legal studies, law, other social science disciplines, or for anyone looking to grasp the basics of Canadian law. This book is a ready roadmap to a complex and vital part of Canadian society.

1. Introduction to Canadian Law and Legal Studies

  • What is law? 
  • Doctrinal and Critical Approaches to understanding law 
  • Understanding the Canadian Legal System 

2. Sources of Canadian Law:

  • Indigenous Law and Reconciliation
    • Indigenous Rights and Title
    • The Relationship Between Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian Legal System
    • Treaties, Land Claims, and Self-Government
  • Common and Civil Law
    • Common law and equity 
    • Civil law
    • The legislative process and law reform
  • Constitutional Law
    • The Role of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
    • The Constitution and Federalism
  • Secondary Sources and law
    • The role of academic literature
    • News media and popular culture in law 

3. Constitutional Law, Public Law, and the Structure of Government: Federal vs. Provincial Powers

  • Division of Powers and Responsibilities
  • Constitutional Amendments and Interpretation 
  • The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
  • Public Law
  • Human Rights 

4. Adjudication: The Courts and Administrative Tribunals in Canada

  • Structure of Canadian Courts: From Lower Courts to the Supreme Court
  • Judges and Their Roles
  • Administrative decision makers and public law
  • How Cases Progress Through the Courts 

5. Criminal Law and Procedure

  • Principles of Criminal Law in Canada
  • The Criminal Code: Offenses and Penalties
  • Rights of the Accused and the Court Process 

6. Civil Law and Private Disputes

  • Tort Law: Personal Injury and Liability
  • Contract Law: Formation, Breach, and Remedies
  • Corporate and Commercial Law
  • Property Law: Ownership, Transfers, and Land Use 

7. Family Law

  • Marriage, Divorce, and Separation
  • Children: Parenting Time, Protection, Access, and Support
  • Spousal Support and Division of Property 

8. Employment and Labour Law

  • Employee Rights and Employer Responsibilities
  • Human Rights in the Workplace
  • Collective Bargaining and Unionization
Rebecca Jaremko Bromwich

Rebecca Jaremko Bromwich, MBA, PhD, LLM, LLB, BA (Hon) is a Canadian lawyer and legal scholar. She is a member of the Bars of Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, and Nunavut. Rebecca has worked in a variety of capacities in legal practice and law teaching at law schools and in legal studies programs for over 25 years. She was the first graduate of the PhD program at Carleton University's Department of Law and Legal Studies. Having worked as a law reform lawyer for several years, Rebecca has had an unusually generalist experience as a lawyer, working as a Crown Prosecutor, Defence counsel, civil litigator, law professor, mediator, and legal academic at various points in her career. She is currently involved with efforts to ensure access to justice and continuing legal education are made available in Canada's Arctic with a focus on economic reconciliation and eradicating gender-based violence. She has published several textbooks on various areas of law, as well as critical perspectives on social issues, and two novels. Rebecca is mother to four grown children.

New Publication Coming Soon!

Find an entry point into the world of Canadian law with A Big (Legal) Picture, an accessible introduction designed for post-secondary students and curious laypeople alike. Whether you're exploring law for the first time or just want to understand your rights and responsibilities, this guide breaks down the key principles of Canada’s legal system in clear, everyday language, and provides an overview of critical perspectives on legality and governmentality. 

From the foundations of constitutional law to the workings of criminal, civil, and administrative law, this book covers the essentials with real-world examples and engaging explanations. Learn how laws are made, how courts operate, and how legal decisions impact everyday life in Canada. Perfect for beginner students in legal studies, law, other social science disciplines, or for anyone looking to grasp the basics of Canadian law. This book is a ready roadmap to a complex and vital part of Canadian society.

1. Introduction to Canadian Law and Legal Studies

  • What is law? 
  • Doctrinal and Critical Approaches to understanding law 
  • Understanding the Canadian Legal System 

2. Sources of Canadian Law:

  • Indigenous Law and Reconciliation
    • Indigenous Rights and Title
    • The Relationship Between Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian Legal System
    • Treaties, Land Claims, and Self-Government
  • Common and Civil Law
    • Common law and equity 
    • Civil law
    • The legislative process and law reform
  • Constitutional Law
    • The Role of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
    • The Constitution and Federalism
  • Secondary Sources and law
    • The role of academic literature
    • News media and popular culture in law 

3. Constitutional Law, Public Law, and the Structure of Government: Federal vs. Provincial Powers

  • Division of Powers and Responsibilities
  • Constitutional Amendments and Interpretation 
  • The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
  • Public Law
  • Human Rights 

4. Adjudication: The Courts and Administrative Tribunals in Canada

  • Structure of Canadian Courts: From Lower Courts to the Supreme Court
  • Judges and Their Roles
  • Administrative decision makers and public law
  • How Cases Progress Through the Courts 

5. Criminal Law and Procedure

  • Principles of Criminal Law in Canada
  • The Criminal Code: Offenses and Penalties
  • Rights of the Accused and the Court Process 

6. Civil Law and Private Disputes

  • Tort Law: Personal Injury and Liability
  • Contract Law: Formation, Breach, and Remedies
  • Corporate and Commercial Law
  • Property Law: Ownership, Transfers, and Land Use 

7. Family Law

  • Marriage, Divorce, and Separation
  • Children: Parenting Time, Protection, Access, and Support
  • Spousal Support and Division of Property 

8. Employment and Labour Law

  • Employee Rights and Employer Responsibilities
  • Human Rights in the Workplace
  • Collective Bargaining and Unionization

Rebecca Jaremko Bromwich
Rebecca Jaremko Bromwich

Rebecca Jaremko Bromwich, MBA, PhD, LLM, LLB, BA (Hon) is a Canadian lawyer and legal scholar. She is a member of the Bars of Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, and Nunavut. Rebecca has worked in a variety of capacities in legal practice and law teaching at law schools and in legal studies programs for over 25 years. She was the first graduate of the PhD program at Carleton University's Department of Law and Legal Studies. Having worked as a law reform lawyer for several years, Rebecca has had an unusually generalist experience as a lawyer, working as a Crown Prosecutor, Defence counsel, civil litigator, law professor, mediator, and legal academic at various points in her career. She is currently involved with efforts to ensure access to justice and continuing legal education are made available in Canada's Arctic with a focus on economic reconciliation and eradicating gender-based violence. She has published several textbooks on various areas of law, as well as critical perspectives on social issues, and two novels. Rebecca is mother to four grown children.