TORONTO – The 2016 Lenczner Slaght/Canadian Bar Association (CBA) Gale Cup Moot, one of Canada’s most prestigious bilingual law school mooting competitions, takes place February 19-20 at Osgoode Hall in Toronto, with 20 law schools from across Canada participating.
Founded in 1974, the Lenczner Slaght/CBA Gale Cup Moot (formerly the Gale Cup) provides top law students across the country with the chance to argue a Constitutional law case before three judge panels hearing a mock appeal from a real-world decision of the Supreme Court of Canada. Judges from across Canada make up the judging panels. Alumni of the Gale Cup include some of Canada’s best known lawyers and most respected legal minds, such as Justice Thomas Cromwell of the Supreme Court of Canada, who won the Gale Cup Moot in 1976.
The competition will open with a special welcome reception in the lobby of Lenczner Slaght’s offices on Friday, February 19. “Our support of the Gale Cup Moot gives us the opportunity to promote new young advocates at the threshold of their career, and at the same time fulfill our commitment to the promotion of the very best of advocacy in our legal community” said Peter H. Griffin, Managing Partner of Lenczner Slaght.
“For over 40 years, the Gale Cup Moot has given law students a glimpse into what it’s like to appear before a court,” says CBA President Janet Fuhrer of Ottawa. “The CBA is proud to support the lawyers of the future and to help them hone the skills they need to succeed in their careers.”
As law students transition to practice, they are facing challenges that previous generations never experienced. To help them thrive in a rapidly-evolving legal market, the CBA’s online guide, Do Law Differently: Futures for Young Lawyers, identifies emerging careers and gives future lawyers the knowledge, perspectives, and leads to adapt.
In addition to the Gale Cup and other team and individual awards, the McLachlin Prize will be awarded to the best female mooter on Saturday, February 20 at Osgoode Hall. Justice Thomas Cromwell of the Supreme Court of Canada will deliver the after-dinner keynote address at the gala awards banquet.
This year’s case is R. v. Nur, 2015 SCC 15, which addresses whether a three-year mandatory minimum sentence for possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm contrary to s. 95(1) of the Criminal Code constitutes a grossly disproportionate punishment that violates s. 12 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Court divided on the issue of whether a hybrid sentencing scheme can adequately protect individuals from grossly disproportionate sentences in circumstances where the mandatory minimum sentence would be demonstrably unfit.
Students taking part in the Lenczner Slaght/CBA Gale Cup Moot are permitted to moot in either English or French, with simultaneous translation provided for oral arguments.
For more information on the Lenczner Slaght/CBA Gale Cup Moot, visit our website.
About Lenczner Slaght Royce Smith Griffin LLP
Recognized as Canada’s leading litigation practice, Lenczner Slaght has successfully represented clients’ interests in complex, high-profile cases across the country. The firm’s lawyers are distinguished by their depth of courtroom experience, appearing regularly at all levels of the federal and provincial courts and before professional and regulatory tribunals, as well as in mediation and arbitration proceedings. Lenczner Slaght is also known for its wealth of talent: the firm’s partners, ranked among the best of their peers nationally, lead a recruitment and mentoring program that attracts gifted litigators who are committed to upholding the highest professional standards.
From commercial disputes, class actions and cross-border disputes to administrative law and professional regulation, Lenczner Slaght brings expert strategy – backed by rigorous research, skilled data management and solid administrative support – to demanding cases in all areas of litigation. Founded in 1992, the Toronto-based firm has a diverse roster of clients that ranges from individuals and small businesses, to large and multinational companies, to professional associations and regulatory bodies. The firm’s 50 lawyers are focused exclusively on litigation.
About the Canadian Bar Association
As the voice and advocate of the Canadian legal profession, the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) is dedicated to supporting the rule of law, protecting the core values of the profession, and improving the administration of justice in Canada and around the world. With more than 36,000 members across Canada – including lawyers, notaries in Quebec, law teachers, and law students – and offices in each province and territory, the CBA enhances the influence of the profession by providing a platform to showcase talents through participation in legislative and legal reform. In its leadership role, the CBA serves the business interests of lawyers through the delivery of accredited professional development programs.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Jessica Lim
Lenczner Slaght
416-865-3700
jlim@litigate.com