Sopinka Cup


The Sopinka Cup is an annual trial advocacy competition in Canada organized by The Advocates' Society and sponsored by the American College of Trial Lawyers. This two-day event is aimed to encourage law schools to train students in the art of oral advocacy. Elimination occurs in four regional competitions across Canada, leaving eight law schools to represent various geographical areas of Canada and compete in the bilingual National Finals hosted in Ottawa. Universities in the western provinces compete in the MacIntyre Cup. Universities in Ontario compete in the Arnup Cup. Both are mock trial advocacy competitions. Universities in Quebec compete in the Guy Guérin Cup. Universities in the eastern provinces compete in the McKelvey Cup.
The Sopinka Cup was established in 1999 to honour the late Supreme Court of Canada Justice John Sopinka, who was a long time Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Past winners

MacIntyre Cup

The regional round for law schools in the western provinces is called the MacIntyre Cup.

Past winners

WeirFoulds-Arnup Cup

The regional round for law schools in Ontario is called the WeirFoulds-Arnup Cup, named after Justice John Arnup. It is held in Toronto and is run by WeirFoulds LLP, where Justice Arnup practised during his career as a litigator.

Past winners

Guy Guérin Cup

The regional round for law schools in Quebec is called the Guy Guérin Cup, named after Judge Guy Guérin, who was Justice and then Chief Justice of the Court of the Sessions of the Peace, which became the Court of Quebec, Criminal and Penal Division in 1988. The University of Ottawa has competed in this competition on occasion.

Past winners

McKelvey Cup

The regional round for law schools in the eastern provinces is called the McKelvey Cup, named after Neil McKelvey, Q.C.

Past winners

  • 2025: Aleida Whidden and David Cruz from Dalhousie University
  • 2021: Elizabeth Matheson and Anthony Buckland from Dalhousie University
  • 2020: Marie-Eve Nowlan and Catherine Poirier from Université de Moncton
  • 2018: Nicole Briand and Alexandre Vienneau from Université de Moncton
  • 2017: Ian Wilenius and Lisa Delaney from Dalhousie University
  • 2016: Ria Guidone and Mary Brown from Dalhousie University
  • 2015: Noémie Doiron and Élaine Lang from Université de Moncton
  • 2014: Alexis Couture and Alexandre Gibson from Université de Moncton
  • 2013: Suzanne Kittell and Michele Charles from Dalhousie University
  • 2012: Ludmilla Jarda et Clémence Talbot from Université de Moncton
  • 2011: Sophie Rioux and Thomas Raffy from Université de Moncton
  • 2010: Renée Blanchard and Richard Deveau from Université de Moncton
  • 2009: Francine Ouellette and Jonathan Saumier from Université de Moncton
  • 2008: Mat Brechtel and Conor Dooley from Dalhousie University
  • 2007: Brian Gallant and Luc Roy from Université de Moncton
  • 2006: Tammy Lamarche and Junie Saint-Fleur from Université de Moncton
  • 2005: Nadia Bérubé Mélanie Trembley from Université de Moncton
  • 2004: Eric Charland and Carley Parish from Université de Moncton
  • 2003: Marc Bourgeois and Luc Desroches from Université de Moncton
  • 2002: Jennifer Grey and Grant McKenzie from University of New Brunswick
  • 2001: Lisa Taylor and Jonathoin Feasby from Dalhousie University
  • 2000: Christine Doucet and Eli Lederman from Dalhousie University
  • 1999: Charlotte Kanya-Forstner and Kim Von Arx from University of New Brunswick