The excitement of mooting season has come to an end. And now, instead of practising oral arguments, it’s time to hit the books and get ready for exams. 4Students has gathered the results of this year’s regional, national, and international competitions. Special mention goes to Western University, which fared very well in this year’s events.
Bora Laskin Moot: This long-standing bilingual moot was established in honour of the late Supreme Court of Canada chief justice Bora Laskin. Now in its 27th year, the moot was held in Moncton, N.B., on Feb. 17. It focuses on administrative law issues, this year’s problem related to Canada’s refugee system.
1st: Université Laval
2nd: Université de Montréal
3rd: McGill University
Best factum: McGill University
Best pairs: University of Toronto
Best oralist: Brooke MacKenzie (Queen’s University)
British Columbia Law Schools Competitive Moot: The University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria compete against each other in this moot every year. This year’s case dealt with the 2010 Ontario Court of Appeal case Barber v. Molson Sport & Entertainment Inc., which involved the tort of intentional interference with economic relations. It was held Feb. 11.
Overall winner: University of British Columbia
Canadian Client Consultation Competition: This international moot was established in 1985. The moot simulates a law office consultation in which mooters deal with a client matter. The winning team advances to the Louis M. Brown and Forrest S. Mosten International Client Consultation Competition, which this year is being held in Dublin.
Overall winner: University of Alberta
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP Corporate/Securities Law Moot: Focusing on corporate and securities law, the problem at this year’s moot centred on the potential legal issues when dealing with a wind-up of a subsidiary corporation. It was held March 2-3 in Toronto.
1st: University of Toronto
2nd: University of Alberta
3rd: McGill University
Chaitons LLP Corporate Restructuring Advocacy Competition: Held on March 7, this inaugural moot was established by Western University law students. It focuses on corporate restructuring issues that arise from court decisions. This year’s problem dealt with the Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision in Indalex Ltd. (Re).
The Donald G.H. Bowman Tax Moot: Named after former Tax Court of Canada chief justice Donald G.H. Bowman, who is now counsel at Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP, this moot is now in its second year. It was hosted by FMC on March 2-3 in Toronto.
Overall winner: Western University
Best advocate: Sameer Nurmohamed (University of Toronto)
Best factum, appellant: University of Alberta
Best factum, respondent: University of British Columbia
Mathews Dinsdale & Clark National Labour Arbitration Competition: This moot’s problems are based on actual grievance arbitration cases argued by Mathews Dinsdale & Clark LLP’s lawyers. This year’s dispute involved a teacher who was dismissed over content on his Facebook account. It was held in Toronto on Jan. 28-29.
Overall winner: University of British Columbia
Julius Alexander Isaac Diversity Moot: Named after the late Federal Court of Canada chief justice Julius Alexander Isaac, this moot focuses on equality and diversity issues. It is organized by the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada and sponsored by Koskie Minsky LLP. It was held in Windsor, Ont., on Feb. 16-19.
Overall winner: University of Ottawa
Best oralist: Farida Adam (University of Ottawa)
Harold G. Fox Intellectual Property Moot: Now in its fourth year, this national moot focuses on intellectual property matters. This year’s problem dealt with patent infringement and what damages ought to be granted. It was held on Feb. 17-18 in Toronto.
Overall winner: Western University
Dimock Stratton award for mooting excellence: Charlie Pettypiece (Western University)
Gordon F. Henderson award for best factum: Christopher Langan & Alex Wai (University of Toronto)
Donald F. Sim award for best oralist: Vanessa Ibe (University of Windsor)
Hicks Cup: Sponsored by Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP, this moot focuses on labour arbitration. This year’s problem was based on an appeal of the Saskatchewan Court of Queen’s Bench’s recent decision in R. v. Saskatchewan Federation of Labour. It was held in Toronto March 23.
Overall winner: Western University
Kawaskimhon Moot: The only national moot exclusively on aboriginal issues, it focuses more on negotiation and collaboration, rather than competition. This year’s problem dealt with the interpretation of historic treaties. It was held March 2-4 in Saskatoon, Sask.
Lenczner Slaght-CBA Gale Cup Moot: This bilingual moot focuses on criminal-constitutional law. This year mooters re-litigated the Supreme Court of Canada decision in R. v. Sinclair.
1st: University of British Columbia
2nd: University of Toronto
3rd: Université du Québec à Montréal
McLachlin prize for best female mooter: Léa Brière (Université du Québec à Montréal)
Peter Cory prize for best factum: University of British Columbia
Niagara International Moot Court Competition: This international moot was held Feb. 23-25 in Washington, D.C., in the International Court of Justice. This year’s case dealt with private, government, and corporate responsibilities when it comes to intervention during a natural disaster.
Overall winner: University of Windsor
Best applicant’s written brief/factum: Western University
Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association Cup: This annual full mock trial focuses on a civil case. It was held on March 3 in Ottawa.
Bergeron Clifford award for best team: Western University
George Bonn award for best cross-examination: Julie Menten (Western University)
Tim Boland award for best overall advocate: Julie Menten (Western University)
Will Davidson award for best opening argument: Matthew Gianotti (University of Windsor)
Greg Monforton award for best examination-in-chief: Elscar Chung (Queen’s University)
H. Bruce T. Hillyer award for best closing argument: Andrew Menchynski (Osgoode Hall Law School)
SOPINKA CUP
Guy-Guérin Cup: Named after the late chief justice Guy Guérin, this bilingual competition is the Quebec qualifying regional round for the national Sopinka Cup. With a focus on criminal law, this year’s case involved the unlawful act of manslaughter. It was held Feb. 10 at the Montreal courthouse.
Overall winner: McGill University
Arnup Cup: This competition is the Ontario qualifying regional round for the national Sopinka Cup. It was held in Toronto Feb. 4.
1st: Queen’s University
2nd: Western University
Western/McIntyre Cup: The McIntyre Cup is the qualifying round for law schools in Western Canada for the Sopinka Cup. It was held in Manitoba from Feb. 9-11.
Overall winner: University of British Columbia
McKelvey Cup: The McKelvey Cup is the qualifying round for law schools in Eastern Canada for the Sopinka Cup.
Overall winner: Université de Moncton
Sopinka Cup: This national bilingual competition was established in honour of the late Supreme Court of Canada justice John Sopinka and sponsored by the American College of Trial of Lawyers and The Advocates’ Society. It was held in Ottawa March 16-17.
1st: University of Saskatchewan
2nd: University of British Columbia
3rd: Université de Moncton
Best overall advocate: Zoë Marszewski Paliare (Queen’s University)
Best opening address: Scott Harron (Dalhousie University)
Best closing address: Renee Zatzman (Dalhousie University)
Best direct examination: Lauren Ignacz (University of Saskatchewan)
Best cross-examination: Jared Epp (University of Saskatchewan)
The Wilson Moot: In honour of the late Supreme Court justice Bertha Wilson, this moot is based on constitutional issues, mainly focusing on women and minorities. This year’s problem revolved around proposed amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and was held Feb. 24-25 in Toronto.
1st: University of Toronto
2nd: McGill University
Best written argument: University of Toronto
Top oralist: Andrew McLean (University of Windsor)
White & Case Canadian National Division Qualifying Tournament: The White & Case is the Canadian nationals branch to the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. This year’s topic involved the legality of the destruction of a cultural site and a debate over who can represent a state following a coup d’etat. It was held March 7-10 in Montreal. Winners advanced to the White & Case international rounds.
1st: University of Ottawa
2nd: Western University
3rd: University of British Columbia
Top oralist: Anisah Hassan (University of Toronto)
Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition: As the largest moot competition in the world, this is the mother of all moots. Law schools from more than 80 countries compete. It involves a dispute between countries before the International Court of Justice. It was held in Washington, D.C., from March 25-31.
The team from the University of Ottawa finished in the top eight of the 109 teams but full results won’t be known until all written arguments are evaluated over the summer.
Update: April 4. Clarification made regarding the winner of the McLachlin prize for best female mooter.
Update: April 17. Clarification made regarding the top oralist of the White & Case Canadian National Division Qualifying Tournament.
1st: Université Laval
2nd: Université de Montréal
3rd: McGill University
Best factum: McGill University
Best pairs: University of Toronto
Best oralist: Brooke MacKenzie (Queen’s University)
British Columbia Law Schools Competitive Moot: The University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria compete against each other in this moot every year. This year’s case dealt with the 2010 Ontario Court of Appeal case Barber v. Molson Sport & Entertainment Inc., which involved the tort of intentional interference with economic relations. It was held Feb. 11.
Overall winner: University of British Columbia
Canadian Client Consultation Competition: This international moot was established in 1985. The moot simulates a law office consultation in which mooters deal with a client matter. The winning team advances to the Louis M. Brown and Forrest S. Mosten International Client Consultation Competition, which this year is being held in Dublin.
Overall winner: University of Alberta
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP Corporate/Securities Law Moot: Focusing on corporate and securities law, the problem at this year’s moot centred on the potential legal issues when dealing with a wind-up of a subsidiary corporation. It was held March 2-3 in Toronto.
1st: University of Toronto
2nd: University of Alberta
3rd: McGill University
Chaitons LLP Corporate Restructuring Advocacy Competition: Held on March 7, this inaugural moot was established by Western University law students. It focuses on corporate restructuring issues that arise from court decisions. This year’s problem dealt with the Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision in Indalex Ltd. (Re).The Donald G.H. Bowman Tax Moot: Named after former Tax Court of Canada chief justice Donald G.H. Bowman, who is now counsel at Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP, this moot is now in its second year. It was hosted by FMC on March 2-3 in Toronto.
Overall winner: Western University
Best advocate: Sameer Nurmohamed (University of Toronto)
Best factum, appellant: University of Alberta
Best factum, respondent: University of British Columbia
Mathews Dinsdale & Clark National Labour Arbitration Competition: This moot’s problems are based on actual grievance arbitration cases argued by Mathews Dinsdale & Clark LLP’s lawyers. This year’s dispute involved a teacher who was dismissed over content on his Facebook account. It was held in Toronto on Jan. 28-29.
Overall winner: University of British Columbia
Julius Alexander Isaac Diversity Moot: Named after the late Federal Court of Canada chief justice Julius Alexander Isaac, this moot focuses on equality and diversity issues. It is organized by the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada and sponsored by Koskie Minsky LLP. It was held in Windsor, Ont., on Feb. 16-19.
Overall winner: University of Ottawa
Best oralist: Farida Adam (University of Ottawa)
Harold G. Fox Intellectual Property Moot: Now in its fourth year, this national moot focuses on intellectual property matters. This year’s problem dealt with patent infringement and what damages ought to be granted. It was held on Feb. 17-18 in Toronto.Overall winner: Western University
Dimock Stratton award for mooting excellence: Charlie Pettypiece (Western University)
Gordon F. Henderson award for best factum: Christopher Langan & Alex Wai (University of Toronto)
Donald F. Sim award for best oralist: Vanessa Ibe (University of Windsor)
Hicks Cup: Sponsored by Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP, this moot focuses on labour arbitration. This year’s problem was based on an appeal of the Saskatchewan Court of Queen’s Bench’s recent decision in R. v. Saskatchewan Federation of Labour. It was held in Toronto March 23.
Overall winner: Western University
Kawaskimhon Moot: The only national moot exclusively on aboriginal issues, it focuses more on negotiation and collaboration, rather than competition. This year’s problem dealt with the interpretation of historic treaties. It was held March 2-4 in Saskatoon, Sask.
Lenczner Slaght-CBA Gale Cup Moot: This bilingual moot focuses on criminal-constitutional law. This year mooters re-litigated the Supreme Court of Canada decision in R. v. Sinclair.
1st: University of British Columbia
2nd: University of Toronto
3rd: Université du Québec à Montréal
McLachlin prize for best female mooter: Léa Brière (Université du Québec à Montréal)
Peter Cory prize for best factum: University of British Columbia
Niagara International Moot Court Competition: This international moot was held Feb. 23-25 in Washington, D.C., in the International Court of Justice. This year’s case dealt with private, government, and corporate responsibilities when it comes to intervention during a natural disaster.
Overall winner: University of Windsor
Best applicant’s written brief/factum: Western University
Ontario Trial Lawyers’ Association Cup: This annual full mock trial focuses on a civil case. It was held on March 3 in Ottawa.Bergeron Clifford award for best team: Western University
George Bonn award for best cross-examination: Julie Menten (Western University)
Tim Boland award for best overall advocate: Julie Menten (Western University)
Will Davidson award for best opening argument: Matthew Gianotti (University of Windsor)
Greg Monforton award for best examination-in-chief: Elscar Chung (Queen’s University)
H. Bruce T. Hillyer award for best closing argument: Andrew Menchynski (Osgoode Hall Law School)
SOPINKA CUP
Guy-Guérin Cup: Named after the late chief justice Guy Guérin, this bilingual competition is the Quebec qualifying regional round for the national Sopinka Cup. With a focus on criminal law, this year’s case involved the unlawful act of manslaughter. It was held Feb. 10 at the Montreal courthouse.
Overall winner: McGill University
Arnup Cup: This competition is the Ontario qualifying regional round for the national Sopinka Cup. It was held in Toronto Feb. 4.
1st: Queen’s University
2nd: Western University
Western/McIntyre Cup: The McIntyre Cup is the qualifying round for law schools in Western Canada for the Sopinka Cup. It was held in Manitoba from Feb. 9-11.
Overall winner: University of British Columbia
McKelvey Cup: The McKelvey Cup is the qualifying round for law schools in Eastern Canada for the Sopinka Cup.
Overall winner: Université de Moncton
Sopinka Cup: This national bilingual competition was established in honour of the late Supreme Court of Canada justice John Sopinka and sponsored by the American College of Trial of Lawyers and The Advocates’ Society. It was held in Ottawa March 16-17.
1st: University of Saskatchewan
2nd: University of British Columbia
3rd: Université de Moncton
Best overall advocate: Zoë Marszewski Paliare (Queen’s University)
Best opening address: Scott Harron (Dalhousie University)
Best closing address: Renee Zatzman (Dalhousie University)
Best direct examination: Lauren Ignacz (University of Saskatchewan)
Best cross-examination: Jared Epp (University of Saskatchewan)
The Wilson Moot: In honour of the late Supreme Court justice Bertha Wilson, this moot is based on constitutional issues, mainly focusing on women and minorities. This year’s problem revolved around proposed amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and was held Feb. 24-25 in Toronto.1st: University of Toronto
2nd: McGill University
Best written argument: University of Toronto
Top oralist: Andrew McLean (University of Windsor)
White & Case Canadian National Division Qualifying Tournament: The White & Case is the Canadian nationals branch to the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. This year’s topic involved the legality of the destruction of a cultural site and a debate over who can represent a state following a coup d’etat. It was held March 7-10 in Montreal. Winners advanced to the White & Case international rounds.
1st: University of Ottawa
2nd: Western University
3rd: University of British Columbia
Top oralist: Anisah Hassan (University of Toronto)
Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition: As the largest moot competition in the world, this is the mother of all moots. Law schools from more than 80 countries compete. It involves a dispute between countries before the International Court of Justice. It was held in Washington, D.C., from March 25-31.
The team from the University of Ottawa finished in the top eight of the 109 teams but full results won’t be known until all written arguments are evaluated over the summer.
Update: April 4. Clarification made regarding the winner of the McLachlin prize for best female mooter.
Update: April 17. Clarification made regarding the top oralist of the White & Case Canadian National Division Qualifying Tournament.