Moot - Julius Alexander Isaac Competitive Program
Description
The Julius Alexander Isaac Moot is a distinguished national moot court competition that explores the relationship between Critical Race theory, constitutional principles, and Canadian law. Each year, the moot alternates between Criminal Law and Immigration Law, engaging students in the critical examination of issues relating to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Participants strengthen their written and oral advocacy skills through the preparation of factums and the presentation of arguments before panels composed of leading judges, lawyers, academics, and other members of the legal profession. The competition is traditionally held at the Ontario Court of Appeal during the first weekend of February.
This moot is named in honour of the Honourable Chief Justice Julius Alexander Isaac, the first Black jurist appointed to the Federal Court of Canada. It commemorates his legacy of excellence and leadership by serving as both a forum for rigorous legal inquiry and a platform to inspire the next generation of lawyers to advance racial equity and substantive equality in Canada. Students in second and third year must be members of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) to qualify for this moot. This competition is likely to occur over the course of a weekend, starting on Friday night and ending on Sunday afternoon. Students who do not wish to participate on those days may not enrol in this course.
Evaluation
Option A: 3 ungraded credits for satisfactory completion of the oral and written components of the competition. The grading will take into account the oral and written components of the competition. Option B: With notice to the Records Office and the approval of the Moot Faculty Advisor(s) or another faculty member, 3 credits with full academic grading for completing the moot plus another writing project. The additional writing project is to be 10 to 15 pages and related in subject matter to the moot. For grading purposes, the Julius Alexander Isaac Moot Faculty Advisor(s) will consider the written factum or memorial prepared for the moot and the added written component for grading and will consider the oral presentation as well. If the instructor has not seen the oral arguments, the oral presentation will not be considered. Students pursuing this option must submit the Competitive Moot Credit Form, available in the Academic Handbook, under Forms to the Records Office at least one week before the add/drop date in second term.
Credit Note
3 credits (conditional enrol)
At a Glance
- Academic Year:2025-2026
- Course Session:Full Year Session
- Credits:3
- Course Note:
The Moot is conditional enrol and will be added to the student's course selection once confirmation of participation is confirmed following the moot tryouts. In the meantime, students must select sufficient credits for the term/year. Once approved students will have the opportunity to adjust their credits. Students are allocated their credits as follows: one credit in the fall term and two credits to the winter term.
Enrollment
- Maximum Enrollment:4
- JD Students:4