On Saturday, March 14, 2015, the Bennett Jones Cup in Health Law Advocacy took place in Edmonton, between student teams from the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary law schools.
This year's problem was based on the recent, and controversial, trial decision of Hamilton Health Corp v DH (2014 ONCJ 603), which addressed the issues of aboriginal rights and a parent's ability to refuse medical treatment for their child.
The Honourable Mr. Justice Russell Brown, Mr. Justice John Little, and Mr. Justice Terrance Clackson presided over the Moot. All participants ably advanced a difficult and complex legal argument in the face of rigorous questioning from the Bench. In the end, the University of Calgary team prevailed and was awarded the Bennett Jones Cup for their over-all performance.
The Health Law Moot is sponsored by Bennett Jones LLP. A $1,000 scholarship was awarded to the top oralist from each University – Laura Comfort from the University of Calgary and Steve Hughes from the University of Alberta. The scholarships are sponsored annually by Valerie Prather (Calgary) and Rose Carter, Q.C. (Edmonton). The moot competition, held at the Edmonton Court Centre, was followed by a reception and awards ceremony at the Bennett Jones office.
Bennett Jones