The last two years in law school have absolutely been a life changing experience. It is a place and time where I made lifelong friendships, learned about complex legal issues and topics, and it marked the starting point of a very exciting career in the legal profession.
Looking back in the last two years, I can say without a doubt that being a member of a competitive moot has been the most challenging and yet the most rewarding experience in law school. I was a member of the Gale Cup Moot, which takes place annually at the Osgoode Hall Law Courts (Ontario Court of Appeal in Toronto). This moot is an appeal of a recent Supreme Court of Canada decision, and the topic involves criminal law and often the Charter as well. This year, the moot was an appeal from R.v. Nur (2015 SCC 15) on the question of whether mandatory minimum sentences constitute cruel and unusual punishment, and consequentially resulting in a violation of the Charter.
The 6 month journey, beginning from the receipt of the topic to arguing in front of three judges at the Ontario Court of Appeal, was an incredible learning experience. In the months leading up to the due date for the written arguments (or what we call “facta” or “factum”), I learned how to research and how to be a concise, creative and effective legal writer. In the weeks leading up to the actual moot, our team spent countless hours with our coaches and “judges” (who were practicing lawyers) working on our advocacy skills – from tweaking our voices and body language to substantively restructuring our legal arguments. Before our team left for Toronto, we even had the rare opportunity to have a final practice before the BC Court of Appeal.
But most importantly, what I am most thankful for from my experience in the Gale is having had the opportunity to be mentored by Professor Isabel Grant and Ryan Dalziel. They dedicated countless hours to helping each member of the team improve their written and oral advocacy skills. My experience in this moot and the guidance I received from my coaches make me feel equipped and confident to kick start my legal career.
For more information about the competitive moot program click here (Note: you try out for moots in second semester of your first year).
