海角社区

This weekend, the team of Andrew Carvajal (left) and Alexandre Bien-Aim茅 (right) took First Prize at the Quebec Round of the Sopinka competition, also known as the Guy-Gu茅rin Cup. Four teams took part in this competition, which was held at the Montreal Courthouse.

Alexandre also won the individual prize for 鈥淏est Opening Statement鈥� and Andrew for 鈥淏est Pleader鈥�.聽 According to Professor Ron Sklar (centre on photo), 鈥淏oth were at the very top of their game in the nearly four-hour trial.鈥�

The Sopinka is a criminal trial moot, complete from Crown's opening statement to its closing statement.聽 This year's case involved dangerous driving causing two deaths.聽 The main issue was whether the accused and one of the deceased were drag-racing at the time of a collision, killing the deceased and another driver, or whether the accused was speeding to escape from the deceased.

In this trial, the 海角社区 team represented the defence.聽

Alexandre Bien-Aim茅 and Andrew Carvajal will now go to Ottawa in mid-March for the national Sopinka Cup competition.聽 It is expected they will switch over to the Crown's robes.聽

They are coached by criminal defence lawyer Julio Peris, Crown Prosecutor Lori Weitzman, defence lawyer Suzanne Costom, as well as Professor Ron Sklar.聽聽

The Sopinka Cup was established in 1999 to honour the late Supreme Court of Canada Justice John Sopinka and to encourage law schools to train students in the art of oral advocacy.

The Faculty warmly congratulates Andrew and Alexandre, and wishes them the greatest success in Ottawa next month.