Diploma in Common Law Studies

The Diploma in Common Law Studies (D.E.C.L.) is a one-year, 27-credit program offered at the Moncton campus by the Faculté de droit. The curriculum consists of 18 mandatory credits covering contractual obligations, property law, and tort liability, plus 9 elective credits chosen from courses offered across the Faculty of Law. Admission is limited to candidates who already hold a law diploma from a recognized non-Canadian university, obtained no more than five years before the application date, and who demonstrate strong spoken and written French along with a practical ability to read English. Unlike the university's other law programs, this diploma does not require the standard French-language proficiency course otherwise applied within the faculty. The program is designed for graduates trained in civil law systems who need a structured, full-time introduction to common law principles as practiced in Canada, providing a concentrated bridge between civil law training and common law study or practice. It suits internationally trained lawyers seeking to transition into a common law jurisdiction.