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Important notice regarding edition numbering: We have moved to a single-year format on most Annual publications, aligned with the year of publication. This change is intended to standardize edition naming. Content remains fully updated for 2026.
The Canadian Justice System: An Overview, 6th Edition
Designed for those who are planning careers in the Canadian justice system or who will be working with people impacted by various aspects of the system, this text provides the foundational knowledge needed to understand the way the various facets of the Canadian justice system work.
**The CEI Student E-Book version is to be purchased by academia only**
Publication Language: English
Published: September 19, 2025
Publisher: LexisNexis Canada
The Canadian Justice System: An Overview, 6th Edition by Paul Atkinson and Daniel Atkinson is an ideal academic text and a concise practical resource for anyone beginning a study of law in Canada. Broken down into easy to grasp principles, it discusses the sources of law and their application in Canada.
Each chapter provides a brief introduction and a list of terminology to provide structure and guidance, as well as self-test questions to assess the reader’s understanding of key concepts. This book provides direction to those planning careers related to the law in Canada, or who will be working with people impacted by various aspects of the legal system.
What’s New in This Edition
- Updated case law and commentary since the 5th Edition published in 2020
- Brand new chapter on constitutional statutes and conventions
Who Should Read This Book
- Law Clerks, Paralegals and Law Students – the book provides a comprehensive overview for all students entering the legal field. This text provides an overview of the sources of law and its application in Canada. Each chapter provides a brief introduction and a list of key terminology to provide structure and guidance to the reader
- Police Officers – the book provides information regarding criminal law and criminal procedure of fundamental importance to police officers as well as instruction on how to read statutes and how to distinguish between laws that are created by the federal, provincial, territorial or municipal levels of government. The book also provides information on civil and administrative law and explains how such law can impact the daily functioning of a police officer
- Correctional Workers– someone interested in a career in this field will benefit from the book's explanation of the division of law-making responsibilities and of the limits set by government-created statutes (these statutes grant the initial power to provide correctional services and regulations, which set parameters on how that power is exercised)
- Social Workers, Victim Support Workers and Mediators – the book provides the background required to explain the workings of the criminal justice system to clients
- Internationally trained lawyers – the book will provide a useful overview for lawyers starting the process to qualify to practice in Canada
Foreword – Justice R. James Williams, Supreme Court of Nova Scotia
Chapter 1: Law-Related Careers and the Canadian Justice System
Chapter 2: Sources of Law – Statutes
Chapter 3: Sources of Law – Common Law
Chapter 4: Constitutional Statutes and Conventions
Chapter 5: General Categories in the Justice System
Chapter 6: Civil Justice System – Torts
Chapter 7: More Civil Justice System Concepts
Chapter 8: Administrative Law
Chapter 9: Criminal Law – The Big Picture
Chapter 10: Criminal Law – Charging and Compelling Appearance
Chapter 11: Criminal Law – Trial Issues
Chapter 12: Criminal Law – After Conviction
Chapter 13: Trends In the Canadian Justice System
Appendix 1: Glossary of Terms
Appendix 2: Excerpts from the Constitution Act, 1867
Appendix 3: Constitution Act, 1982
Appendix 4: Sample Statutes
Appendix 5: Sample Cases
