New edition of Canadian bankruptcy law textbook setting the standard for open access legal resources

Over the last twenty years, law professionals across Canada have begun to see a shift in the way they access legal resources. Since its founding in 2001, resources like the Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII) have provided free online access to case law, statutes, and regulations, and this semester, students at UCalgary Law are reaping the benefits.

With the launch of the second edition of Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law in Canada: Cases, Materials, and Problems, students in Professor Jassmine Girgis’ Bankruptcy and Insolvency class are able to access their course materials for free via CanLII. 

Co-authored by Girgis, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law in Canada: Cases, Materials, and Problems is the first open-access casebook and textbook on Canadian bankruptcy and insolvency law. Examining case law, statutory rules, and scholarly articles, the book offers students and professionals alike a deeper understanding of this ever-evolving area of law.

Accessibility is a driving force

Inspired by her time writing for ABlawg, UCalgary Law’s open-access blog, Girgis realized the need for quicker, more easily accessible, and cheaper legal materials. 

“As any lawyer knows, other wesbites are really expensive to access. So that’s what we were thinking when we decided to do this book,” she said.

While the primary intention behind writing the book was to make it accessible to students, Girgis notes that it also would be a good resource for lawyers, judges, or the public to access if they have a bankruptcy or insolvency question.

The impact on students

Each year, first-year students entering UCalgary Law can expect to spend up to $2,000 on their course textbooks. Thomas Nguyen President of the Society of Law Students (SLS) and third year law student believes that the introduction of Girgis’ book in her course will have a long-lasting impact on students. 

“The biggest challenge is it is often students don't just have one textbook to buy, they have many. These costs add up,” he explained. 

Nguyen also believes that the book will be a resource for students beyond their time at UCalgary Law. “They won't feel the need to re-sell their textbook to make up the financial cost. There won't be a loan system with the student returning their textbook. The students will always have it, and that value is immense,” he said.

Establishing a Primary Source in Canadian Bankruptcy Law

Looking ahead, Girgis hopes that the book will become a primary source for Canadian bankruptcy law. With a mix of case studies, legal commentary, and analysis of leading cases, Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law in Canada: Cases, Materials, and Problems aims to fill the resource gap and become the go-to for understanding Canadian bankruptcy and insolvency law.

Girgis said, “There’s not much out there in this field, and our goal is to create something that is comprehensive and will stand the test of time.”