History

Halloween pranks can lead to criminal mischief charges under Section 430 of Canada’s Criminal Code. This piece outlines how actions like trespassing, property damage, or interference with decorations may result in legal consequences—even when intended as seasonal fun.

Roman law evolved from unwritten customs under kings to a codified system that shaped modern civil law. From the Twelve Tables to Justinian’s Corpus Juris Civilis, it reflected shifts in power, social protest, and legal reform. Its legacy endures in legal systems worldwide.

A clear guide to when and where women could own land and manage property. Examples span Egypt, Sparta, Viking Scandinavia, the Haudenosaunee, and the Married Women’s Property Acts, with plain explanations of what changed and what did not.

Canada’s provinces and territories are home to some truly unusual laws—from banning pet rats in Alberta to regulating the height of snowmen in Prince Edward Island. These quirky rules, rooted in history, public safety, or local culture, offer a fascinating look at how municipalities have used law to shape community life. This article explores 13 of Canada’s oddest laws, province by province, and the stories behind them.

Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the right of English and French-speaking minorities to access publicly funded education in their own language. This right ensures cultural and linguistic inclusion for minority communities across Canada, allowing children to learn in the language they speak at home. The provision is key to preserving identity, equality, and belonging in education.

Mechanics in Canada have a legal duty to ensure vehicles are safe before returning them to customers. Known as the common law duty of care, this obligation means repair shops can be held liable if negligence leads to harm—even without a contract.

Canada once empowered citizens through grand juries—panels that investigated crimes and held officials accountable. Abolished decades ago, their absence leaves a gap in democratic oversight. As public trust in government wanes amid repeated scandals, reintroducing citizen-led mechanisms could restore transparency and ensure power remains in the people’s hands.

Explore Section 33 of Canada’s Charter—what the notwithstanding clause means, how it works, and its impact on rights and legislation across provinces.

Discover how Canadian women first won the legal right to vote in 1918 — a landmark moment in Canada’s journey toward gender equality. Learn about the Wartime Elections Act, the 1918 Canadian Elections Act, and how voting rights initially excluded Indigenous and racialized women. This article offers clear, fact-based legal information backed by official sources.

Believed to be the world’s oldest written legal code, the Code of Ur-Nammu—dating back to around 2100 BCE in ancient Mesopotamia—opens with a striking first law: "If a man commits a murder, that man must be killed." This early declaration of capital punishment marks a foundational moment in legal history, illustrating how justice and social order were enforced nearly 4,000 years ago. The law reflects retributive justice principles and highlights the emergence of state-adminis

In Petrolia, Ontario, a now-amended bylaw once prohibited public yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling, or singing at any time, aiming to reduce noise and maintain community peace. Introduced under the authority of Ontario’s Municipal Act, 2001, the bylaw drew attention for its broad scope. In 2009, the town revised the law to focus specifically on noise related to advertising or selling, clarifying its intent and addressing concerns about personal expression. The case highli

Explore the origins of Canadian law through the lens of Indigenous legal traditions and colonial legal systems. This article examines how Indigenous nations governed through oral laws and kinship-based justice before French and British settlers introduced European legal frameworks. Learn how these systems conflicted, the impact on Indigenous governance, and the growing movement to restore legal pluralism in Canada.

The Laws of Ur-Nammu, dating to around 2100 BCE, are the oldest known legal code in history — predating Hammurabi by centuries. Issued in ancient Sumer, this early Mesopotamian code emphasized fairness and monetary compensation over physical punishment, offering deep insight into early justice systems and social values. Its legacy helped shape the foundations of written law in human civilization.