Sponsored by Nelligan Law since 2007, the competition immerses students in the fundamentals of advocacy and experiential learning—just ten weeks after beginning law school.
The competition is named after the late John Nelligan, founding partner of Nelligan Law who was a strong supporter of the first-year moot and attended the event enthusiastically into his 90s. “John Nelligan was a consummate advocate—always well prepared, clear, and persuasive,” shared Janice Payne, LLB ’74, partner at Nelligan Law and a long-time supporter of the event.
“He cared deeply about mentoring young lawyers, involving them in his practice, and supporting their growth. He loved this competition and attended every year to present the Cup that bears his name until his health made that impossible. Continuing that tradition is an important part of our firm’s culture.”
Added Payne: “It’s a real pleasure for us to offer first-year students the chance to get up on their feet and experience what it’s like to argue a case in an appellate court.
“We’ve had great feedback from students and alumni over the years about how this opportunity enhanced their first year and inspired them to pursue careers that get them into court. That means a lot to us.”
Nearly 140 students from the English Common Law program participated this year, showcasing their talents before 60 seasoned legal practitioners who served as judges for the preliminary rounds.
Students were paired into teams of two appellant counsel and two respondent counsel, engaging in simulated hearings that tested their ability to craft persuasive and well-reasoned arguments.
The case under appeal in this year’s competition was Achter Land & Cattle Ltd. v. South West Terminal Ltd. (2025 SCC 41671), a recent Supreme Court of Canada decision exploring whether a thumbs-up emoji can constitute acceptance of a contract. The contemporary and relatable nature of the case added an extra layer of excitement for participants.
Championship Round Highlights
After the preliminary rounds, 16 semi-finalists advanced to four playoff hearings in the afternoon. From there, four students emerged to compete in the championship hearing:
Jayne Hall and Kassandra Neville (appellants)
Grace Harangozo and Greg Lee (respondents)
The championship hearing was presided over by a distinguished panel of judges, including the Honourable Malcolm Rowe of the Supreme Court of Canada, Justice Maria N. Sirivar of the Ontario Superior Court, and the Honourable Daniel Urbas of the Superior Court of Quebec.
Award Winners and Special Recognitions
The day concluded with an awards ceremony.
The John P. Nelligan Cup was awarded to Jayne Hall and Kassandra Neville, the appellant team. Grace Harangozo and Greg Lee (respondents) were recognized as finalists.
The CCLA (County of Carleton Law Association) Best Factum Prize went to Katherine Jang and Sena Lee, while Grace Harangozo received The Allan O’Brien Award for Top Advocate. Renamed in honour of the late Allan O’Brien, LLB ’73, the award celebrates the outstanding advocacy skills he exemplified throughout his career.
“I hope we can continue this competition for many years to come,” said Payne, reflecting on the competition's legacy. “Every year, one of our judges tells me that they participated when they were in law school and how much the experience and feedback meant to them. That’s the kind of impact we want to keep making.”
Congratulations to all the participants and winners, and heartfelt thanks to Nelligan Law for nearly two decades of generous sponsorship and mentorship. The Nelligan Moot continues to serve as an essential foundation for the next generation of legal advocates and is a key element in the Faculty’s extensive experiential learning program.