Marine & Environmental Law Institute

Schulich School of Law

Current Students

Many students will soon be considering courses for the upcoming academic year. Below are updates to some of the MELP courses as you may be considering registering for a specialization certificate in Marine Law or Environmental Law (or both) in the Schulich School of Law’s Marine & Environmental Law Program (MELP).

Information about the MELP specialization certificate program is available on the Schulich School of Law website. The program is also described in our Academic Calendar. 

If you register in a MELP specialization, you will need to take the two mandatory courses and two other courses (electives) from the list of MELP courses. For these courses to count towards the certificate they will need to be completed with no grade below C and a with a weighted average in those classes of at least B- (ie., 68). If you complete the requirements then the specialization will be noted on your transcript and you will receive a MELP specialization certificate along with your JD degree from the law school.  If you register for a MELP specialization but do not meet the requirements there is no reference to the registration on your transcript i.e., there are no negative effects if you do not complete the specialization.

Details about the various MELP courses are set out in the Academic Calendar. For the upcoming academic year, we wish to highlight changes to a few courses. For credit hours and exam (if any) schedules and other information see the Schulich School of Law course selection materials.

To register for the MELP Certificate, complete the MELP Certificate registration form [PDF - 598 kB] and return to Lauri MacDougall by email (melp@dal.ca) or drop off to room 413.

Course updates

Coastal Zone Management

This course is offered by the Marine Affairs Program, but is cross listed with the Law School and has 4 places reserved for law students.  The course is taught by Professor L. Fanning and will be offered in the winter term on Tuesdays from 11:30-2:30pm in the Rowe building.

Environmental Law Moot

The Environmental Law Moot course (a bi-annual competitive moot) requires application at the end of the winter term (i.e. April 2019 for 2020/2021 moot).

Environmental Law Placement

This placement provides students with the opportunity to work with environmental law practitioners in Halifax during the winter term. Students can do their work placement with East Coast Environmental Law Association (ECELAW) or with another suitable host organization, including government, non-governmental organizations or with in-house council in the private sector.  This placement is open to three (or perhaps four if a suitable placement is available) students per academic year.

If you are interested in the Environmental Law Placement, please send a copy of your transcripts along with a letter of interest to MELAW@dal.ca by August 1st for placement in the Winter term.

For course description, see the Schulich School of Law Academic Calendar or for more information contact the MELP Director.

Planning Law

The class introduces students to the planning process through study of the legal tools used to regulate the use of land. It is a course that is also offered (cross-listed). This class will be taught in the fall term by Professor J. Baxter on Tuesdays from 3:00-4:20pm at the Schulich School of Law. For more information, see the Schulich School of Law Academic Calendar. 

International Exchanges

It is now possible for students to take one of the two electives needed for a specialization when on an international exchange term. The course must be approved in advance by the MELP Director.

NOTE: Not all courses are offered every year.

If you have any further questions about the MELP course offerings this year, do not hesitate to contact the MELP Director.