This is Canada’s pre-eminent continuing legal education program in the field of criminal law.

The NCLP is an annual, week-long, not-for-profit continuing legal education program that takes place every July. The NCLP consistently draws in excess of 600 attendees from across the profession, including federal and provincial prosecutors, defence counsel, judges, members of the law enforcement community, members of the Canadian military, and volunteers from local law schools. Registrants come from every province and territory in the country and many of our attendees return year after year.

The NCLP rotates annually through three themes: Substantive Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure and the Charter, and Evidence. Each year also includes content relating to ethics, inclusivity, and diversity. Registrants from across Canada can typically fulfill all of their annual CLE requirements through attendance at the NCLP.

The format of presentations includes plenary lectures, panel discussions, debates, and demonstrations; as well as small group workshops and concurrent break-out sessions, which allow registrants to attend the presentations of most interest to them.

The faculty of 40 to 45 members consists of prosecutors, defence counsel and judges from across Canada who are regarded as leaders in the criminal law Bar and Bench. Members of the Supreme Court of Canada past and present have participated in the Program, including former Chief Justice McLachlin, the late Justices Sopinka and Cory, and Justices Iacobucci, Binnie, Fish, Rothstein, Cromwell, Moldaver, and Martin.

Each year, the faculty prepare approximately 80 papers for the Program. The written materials are highly regarded and, based on feedback received by the NCLP, they provide attendees with a useful reference and research tool for their practice or judicial role.

The week also includes many opportunities for networking such as a first-timers welcoming event, an opening reception, mentoring breakfasts and an optional social event on the penultimate evening.