معرفی
Steve Coughlan is a Professor of Law at Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law. He is also a member of the Law and Technology Institute and serves as a Board Member for the Dalhousie Law Journal. His work focuses on criminal law reform and intersections with technology and privacy. He has been admitted to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1986.
Education
- BA, University of Ottawa
- MA, University of Toronto
- LLB, Dalhousie University
- PhD, University of Toronto
Teaching & Professional Contributions
Coughlan teaches Criminal Law and Procedure, Constitutional Law, Health Law, and Medical Ethics, extending to non-law students via the Introduction to Law course. He has coached competitive moot teams for years. His interdisciplinary work addresses adult protection and elderly treatment within the legal framework.
Research Interests
His research emphasizes criminal law reform, particularly updating Canada’s Criminal Code, privacy law, and technology’s impact on legal procedures. He explores ethical dilemmas in criminal justice and has co-authored influential texts like Criminal Procedure (4th ed., 2020) and Law Beyond Borders: Extraterritorial Jurisdiction in an Age of Globalization (2014).
- Key Research Themes
- Criminal procedure and sentencing
- Charter rights and policing
- Information technology law and privacy
- Ethics in health and criminal law
Awards & Honours
- 2019: Top 25 Most Influential in the Justice System
- 2011: Culliton Lecturer, University of Saskatchewan
- 2009: Hanna and Harold Barnett Award for Excellence in Teaching First Year Law
- 2005: Association of Atlantic Universities Distinguished Teacher Award
- 2004: Dalhousie Alumni Association Award of Excellence for Teaching
- 2004: Hanna and Harold Barnett Award (reiteration of teaching excellence)
- 2000: Award from Dalhousie Law Students' Society and Alumni Association for Teaching
Advising & Service
Coughlan supervises students in criminal law and procedure. He has served as a Consultant for the Law Reform Commission of Canada (1988–1992) and as a lawyer at the Metro Community Law Clinic (1986–1988). His service includes contributions to the National Judicial Institute’s Criminal Law Essentials eletter and co-editing the IT.Can Newsletter on tech law developments.
Labs & Teams
He is affiliated with the Law and Technology Institute at Dalhousie, where he examines technology’s role in legal systems. His moot teams have competed nationally, reflecting his commitment to legal training and advocacy.
