Preface

• Author: Emily Lapper - Anna Johnston
• Pages: 1-2

PREFACE

By Emily Lapper and Anna Johnston

e genesis and development of a student law journal is not unlike the educational journey

of a law student. From those rst fumbling steps into the halls of legal academia to our ac-

ceptance into the Bar, the journey of a edgling advocate is marked with struggle, reform and,

at times, triumph. In infancy, journal and student alike are slightly awestruck by the com-

manding presence of intellect that has walked the halls before us. Aer time, we learn to defy

custom, to test the boundaries and challenge the wisdom of our superiors. Finally, during this

slow process of maturation we begin to discover an expressive form that enables us to be

useful, to ll necessary gaps or provide much needed services; we become wise, even.

Originally, Appeal adopted the style of a magazine, characterized by shorter articles with

relatively sparse footnoting. Over the years, its aesthetic and contents have shied to that

of an academic journal, with longer articles that rely signicantly more on references. It was

during this transition that the journal acquired a spine, which, in conjunction with its more

compact size, makes it a comfortable t on just about any bookshelf. is adaptation was

not accidental: as Appeal grew and developed in form, its content and purpose concur-

rently transitioned from being a forum for students to gain experience in legal scholarship

to also being an opportunity for those voices to impact and inform the law. Along with the

‘rebranding’ it underwent for Volume  in , adopting its signature green jacket and

more mature style, Ap peal condently put itself forth as a strong player in the eld of Cana-

dian legal scholarship and has proven itself to be an important component of research li-

braries across the country.

Appeal is not about aiming to please. It is about respect for law, but it is also about testing

the law. It is about close examination of law in all its applications, bringing innovative ideas

and new modes of communicating to the growing body of Canadian legal scholarship. It

is also about encouraging new voices to be heard in legal dialogue. A common perception

abounds that student legal scholarship lacks sucient experience and knowledge to pro-

vide new insights into legal issues. Not true. Students are capable of producing high-qual-

ity, provocative work that can form a part of the Canadian legal literature. Many of us enter

law school with diverse and oen extensive experience as professionals in other elds, lend-

ing relevance to our voices and insight into a wide range of legal issues and topics. As a ve-

hicle to support new methodologies in and approaches to legal scholarship, Appeal aims to

enrich the legal community by playing an active role in its development. Our articles have

begun to be referenced. Our voices are being heard.

It has been a great honour and a rewarding experience to have edited this th Volume of

Appeal, w hich contains some of the journal’s strongest academic work to date. e range

of legal issues discussed and perspectives drawn from in these articles are as impressive in

their breadth as they are in their depth. From a deep and thoughtful examination of the

APPEAL VOLUME 15 w1