Moot Court team sweeps Dalhousie competition

Camila Baquerizo, Alex Ryan, Charlotte Boulting and Kyra Lustig, members of STU moot court team, holding their prizes for the Dow Cup competition. (Credit: Dalhousie University)

St. Thomas University’s moot court teams delivered a standout performance at the Dow Cup competition hosted by Dalhousie University, sweeping all four awards presented and marking a major milestone for the program.

The team of Kyra Lustig and Camila Baquerizo claimed victory in the final round of the competition. Meanwhile, teammates Charlotte Boulting and Alex Ryan advanced to the semifinals. Individually, Boulting was named Top Orator, while Ryan earned Top Scorer in the preliminary rounds.

The Dow Cup marked the first year the competition was opened to universities beyond Dalhousie, allowing STU to compete against other schools from across the Maritimes.

“Moot court is basically [an] appellate court,” said Lustig. “You’re given a case about a month before the competition and you have to be prepared to argue both sides—the appellant and the respondent.”

Competitors work in teams, with legal issues divided between partners. In the Dow Cup case, Lustig argued the first issue, which focused on immunity to arrest under Section 4.1 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, while Baquerizo addressed a second issue related to Charter rights.

The final round consisted of 12 minutes of argument, though Lustig noted it was largely driven by judges’ questions.

“It was intense, but really rewarding,” she said.

Preparation for the competition was rigorous. The team practiced at least three times a week in addition to one-on-one sessions with their professor, Amanda DiPaolo.

“We worked a lot on how we spoke, how we delivered our arguments and making sure our case law was solid,” said Lustig. “The more you understand the case, the easier it is to respond when judges start asking questions.”

Lustig believes the skills developed through moot court align closely with her role as STUSU’s Indigenous representative and Baquerizo’s work as vice-president education.

“Moot court is all about advocacy,” she said. “Whether you’re arguing for the respondent or the appellant, you’re learning how to advocate using case law. That’s something that really connects to student union work.”

For Lustig, advocacy is deeply personal. As an Indigenous student whose community is based in Winnipeg’s Red River area, she sees public speaking and representation as essential tools.

“Advocating for Indigenous students has always been close to my heart,” she said. “Moot court has helped build confidence in speaking up and making sure your voice is heard.”

She added that the experience has significantly strengthened her public speaking skills.

“Speaking in front of a room of 50 people used to scare me,” she said. “Now, it’s helped me become more confident …  and more intentional with my words.”

Lustig said the team’s success puts STU on the map, particularly because the university offers moot court as a credit course, something she believes sets the program apart.

“That extra time and access to resources makes such a difference,” she said. “It’s amazing preparation for law school. Moot court is something you have to do in your first year of law school, so getting that experience as an undergraduate is huge.”

Looking ahead, Lustig expects the STU moot court program to continue growing, supported by mentorship from law students at the University of New Brunswick and increasing recognition across the region.

“We’re just going to keep progressing,” she said. “Not only is our team behind us, but the university is too. It’s about making sure those bigger universities know who STU is.”

She added that increased financial support would help the team compete in more national and international competitions, as travel costs can be a barrier, especially during the ongoing affordability crisis.

For students who may be interested in joining moot court but feel unsure, Lustig offered simple advice: ask questions.

“Talk to people who are already in moot,” she said. “Ask about their experience and what support is available. It can feel overwhelming, but you’re supported, and you’re capable of doing it.”

With a clean sweep at Dalhousie and growing momentum behind the program, STU’s moot court team is proving that dedication, advocacy and preparation can compete with the biggest names.