U of T law school bans laptops from some classrooms starting this fall
The Jackman Faculty says handwriting forces deeper thinking and discussion. But students' survey shows 78% disagree the policy will benefit their legal education.
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Some classrooms at the University of Toronto's Jackman Faculty of Law will be laptop-free starting this fall, a move the school says is designed to deepen student engagement and thinking.
Associate Dean Richard Stacey wrote to students that the concern is not distraction but the act of type-writing comprehensive notes. "Handwriting forces students to slow down, process information and decide what's most important to write down," the faculty said. Dean Christopher Essert added that the school is also responding to concerns about sophisticated AI tools being used during lectures.
But students are sharply divided. A survey by the Students' Law Society found that of 208 responses—nearly 30 per cent of the student body—163 disagreed the policy will benefit their legal education. Many student responses focused not on handwriting but on autonomy: "They're adults in a professional degree who worked out how they learn a long time ago, and that decision is being made for them now," the SLS said.
Accessibility emerged as another major concern students raised. The SLS plans to continue discussions with the faculty about the policy. It is not yet clear which courses will go laptop-free or what exceptions or alternatives the school will offer for students with documented accessibility needs. Course outlines are expected to be released next month.
What accessibility accommodations or exemptions will the law school provide for students with documented needs?
How many professors have opted into the laptop-free classroom policy?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
Which University of Toronto faculty is banning laptops from some classrooms?
The Jackman Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto is banning laptops from some classrooms starting fall 2026.
What percentage of surveyed students oppose the laptop ban?
78% of the 208 students surveyed by the Students' Law Society disagreed that the policy will benefit their legal education.
Why is the Jackman Faculty implementing this ban?
The faculty says handwriting forces students to slow down and process information more deeply. The school is also responding to concerns about sophisticated AI tools being used during lectures.
