Advocacy
Faculty of Law
Oral advocacy at TRU Law
Oral advocacy is a defining feature of a TRU Law education. From the first year of the program through to graduation, students have access to a range of opportunities to develop the skills, confidence, and competitive experience needed to argue effectively in any legal forum.
Advocacy in first year
Every first-year student participates in a moot as part of the Legal Foundations course. Students research and write a factum – the written arguments submitted to a court – and then present oral arguments before a panel, often consisting of local lawyers and judges. This foundational experience introduces students to the full arc of advocacy early in their legal education.
Moot competitions
In second and third year, students can apply to compete in provincial, national, and international moot court competitions as three-credit elective courses. Moot teams are selected through a competitive process and are coached by experienced legal practitioners who provide guidance on both written and oral submissions. Most competitions take place in the winter semester, with preparation beginning in the fall.
TRU Law competes in the following moot competitions:
BC Law Schools Moot
The BC Law Schools Moot is the “grudge match” between UBC, UVic and TRU. The moot generally focuses on a civil case and is argued before sitting judges of the BC superior courts. The competition rotates between Kamloops, Vancouver and Victoria. The team consists of 4 oralists and 1 researcher.
TRU Law placed first in 2015 and 2024.
Coaches
Sponsored by
Davies Corporate/Securities Moot
The Davies Corporate/Securities Moot is a moot focused on corporate law issues. The problem is typically based on an actual court decision. The competition takes place in Toronto. The team consists of 4 oralists and 1 researcher.
Coaches
Sponsored by
Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Law Moot
The Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Law Moot focuses on issues of immigration, refugee and citizenship law. The moot is one of Canada’s newest moots, beginning in 2020–21. TRU Law sent its first team in 2021–22. The team consists of 4 oralists and 1 researcher.
TRU Law placed second in 2024.
TRU Law placed first in 2023.
Coaches
Jessup International Law Moot
The Jessup Moot focuses on international public law. It is one of the oldest moots, beginning in 1960. In 2024, 674 teams from 100 countries participated in the Jessup. The team consists of 4 oralists and 1 researcher.
TRU Law won Top Applicant Memorial in 2022.
TRU Law advanced to the White & Case Advanced Rounds of the Jessup’s Global Rounds in 2021.
Coaches
Sponsored by
Wilson Moot
The Wilson Moot addresses administrative and constitutional law issues. It focuses on issues of equality and issues of particular concern to women and minority groups. The team consists of 4 oralists and 1 researcher.
TRU Law won First Place Facta in 2018.
Coaches
Simone Penney
Moot Coach
MacIntyre Cup
The MacIntyre Cup is the Western Canadian round of the Sopinka Cup — a criminal law trial advocacy moot. The top teams proceed to the Sopinka Cup in Ottawa. The team consists of two members.
TRU Law alumni Kelly Fortune was awarded Top Opening at the MacIntyre in 2022.
TRU Law finished second in 2019 and advanced to the Sopinka Cup that year.
TRU Law hosted the MacIntyre in 2019 and 2026.
Coaches
Kawaskimhon Moot
The Kawaskimhon Moot focuses on Aboriginal and Indigenous legal issues. The word Kawaskimhon means “to speak with knowledge” in the Cree language. The moot itself is a negotiation, with teams representing a variety of parties (e.g., First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities, regional and national Aboriginal organizations, government parties, and industry actors). The moot focuses on negotiation and consensus-building to resolve problems. Teams may be required to draft written proposals that outline their negotiation. The team consists of 4 members and 1 researcher.
TRU Law hosted the Kawaskimhon in 2024.
Coaches
National Family Law Negotiation Moot
The Western Canadian Family Law Moot was established in 2019–20, and TRU Law sent its first team in 2020–21. The Family Law Moot focuses on negotiations around a family law dispute. The coaches are Amanda Winters from Farris LLP and Sara Hilliard from MJB Lawyers. The team consists of 4 members.
TRU Law placed first in 2023.
