2023 Walter Owen Book Prize

The Canadian Foundation for Legal Research has announced its award for the 2023 Walter Owen Book Prize to Modern Criminal Evidence (Toronto, Emond Publishing) for exceptional legal scholarship in Canada.

The Walter Owen Book Prize honours its namesake (1904–1981) who privately practised law for 40 years; served as President of the Canadian Bar Association; and in 1959, became the Foundation’s first President.

A Jury appointed by the Foundation recommended prize recipients from a list of 35 book nominees after more than four months of deliberation. All selections by the Jury were unanimous.

On behalf of the Jury, Professor John N. Davis and David C. Day, K.C. Barrister and Supreme Court Master, remarked that Modern Criminal Evidence “substantially contributes to Canadian legal literature as the currently definitive concise work on its subject.

The Walter Owen Book Prize is awarded on alternating years and covers publications released in the two years prior. Hence, the 2023 award of $30,000 is presented to a publication released in 2021 or 2022; obviously indicating a rigorous selection process. This coming year in 2025, the Walter Owen Book Prize will consider applications for publications released in 2023 and 2024.

Congratulations to everyone involved!

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