Harmonizing Law in a Multilingual and Plurijural Space: A Canadian Point of View (Harmoniser Le Droit Dans Un Espace Multilingue Et Pluri-Juridique: Un Point De Vue Canadien)
Uniform Law Review, Vol. 13, p. 39, 2008
21 Pages Posted: 10 Dec 2009
Date Written: December 8, 2009
Abstract
The paper traces the constitutional backdrop for Canadian law as bilingual and bijural. It outlines the process of legal harmonization undertaken by the federal government so as to make its statute book speak to the chief four legal audiences: common law in English, common law in French, civil law in English, and civil law in French. In particular, harmonization is necessary to address the needs of the recodified civil law of Quebec and readers of the common law in French. Despite the techniques adopted by the federal government, some debates persist about the appropriate means of harmonization. Still, the larger point is that federal law provides a space of encounter for language and different legal traditions.
Note: Downloadable document is in French.
Keywords: harmonization of law, bilingualism, bijuralism, Canada
JEL Classification: K30, K39
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation