The overarching theme is the influence of supreme courts on the development of the common law. In particular, how the institutional position of supreme courts causes them to shape the common law; and conversely how the traditions of the common law shape the way supreme courts conceive of their role.
The keynote address will be given by Chief Justice McLachlin, who coming up to her retirement will be in a good position to look back at the relationship between the Supreme Court of Canada and the common law in recent decades.
