UM Today | Faculty of Law

May 5, 2023 — 

The Manitoba Law Journal is excited to announce that the Desautels Review of Private Enterprise & Law will be merging with the Asper Review of International Business and Trade Law to become the Business and Trade Law Review.

The Desautels Review, a peer-reviewed journal published annually through the Manitoba Law Journal, plays host to a broad range of multidisciplinary research in order to promote a deeper understanding of the multifaceted and complex issues facing private businesses. Comparative perspectives are welcomed, as private enterprises play a vital role in the economies of many countries around the world.  Last fall, a small editorial team led by Editor-in-Chief Dr. Virginia Torrie began the challenging and exciting work of launching the new law journal, which published its inaugural issue this Spring.   

The Desautels Review experienced significant growth in its reach in its second year of operation, thanks in large part to the dedicated efforts of a much larger editorial team. The journal continued to build on the success of its inaugural issue, receiving a wide range of high-quality articles, case comments, and book reviews that advanced the understanding of private enterprise and the law.  With their expertise and their commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship, the editorial team brought new energy and fresh perspectives to the journal in its 2^nd year. 

This merger will expand the journal’s scope to include an even wider range of legal issues facing businesses and trade around the world, while still publishing content that focuses on the complex legal issues that face private enterprises in Manitoba.  After two years of excellent work, the leadership of the Desautels Review will be passing from Dr. Virginia Torrie to Professor Darcy MacPherson and Dr. Bryan Schwartz. Dr. Torrie has played an invaluable role in shaping the Desautels Review into the reputable journal it is today and under her guidance, the law journal has made great strides in promoting a deeper understanding of the issues facing private businesses. Dr. Torrie’s vision and commitment to excellence set a high bar for the Desautels Review, and with this merger the Business and Trade Law Review is committed to carrying forward that vision.

As the Business and Trade Law Review opens an exciting new chapter, it does so with a strong foundation and a clear mandate to advance the understanding of private enterprise and the law while expanding to cover matters of global interest, including international economics and geo-politics. The journal’s commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship, high-quality content, and meaningful engagement with its readers and contributors will undoubtedly continue to drive its success in the years to come. The Desautels Centre is excited for the future of the journal and looks forward to the continued growth and success of the Business and Trade Law Review. 

Please read the Manitoba Law Journal 45.2: The inaugural issue of the Desautels Review of Private Enterprise & Law – Fall 2022.

By Connor Jonsson (3L)