What is the OTLA Cup?
The OTLA Cup is a mock trial that is held once a year by the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association.
I first got involved in the OTLA Cup when I was a Director on the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association Board of Directors. It was such a fun event that I’ve been involved every year since. Seeing the Law student’s excitement as they conduct their first trial is invigoration and sometimes hilarious!
Law students participate in a mock Trial in front of a Superior Court Justice for course credits in advocacy courses. OTLA offers the only trial-level mock Court Trial in the Province of Ontario. The other competitions are usually done as if you are in an Appeal court. The difference is that at a Trial a student must do an Opening Statement; they must conduct an examination in chief (which is the examination of your own client); a cross-examination of the opposing party: and do a Closing Statement which is the final argument to the Jury.
The Jury they face is made up of plaintiff personal injury lawyers such as myself. Usually, a Jury is random members of the public. The students are expected to adhere to formal courtroom etiquette and know how to address the Judge, enter evidence, make formal objections and where and when to sit, stand or bow. Courtroom etiquette can be complicated. It takes a lot of courage to get up before a jury of highly skilled trial lawyers to participate in the Mock Trial. On the upside, OTLA lawyers do tend to be sympathetic to the plaintiff’s case and award outrageous amounts in the final judgement.
What the students want to know is how the Jury divides responsibility for how the plaintiff (the person suing) is injured. Once the law students have completed the trial and closing statements are finished, the Jury goes back to deliberate. While the Jury is out, the Justice gives the students tips and commentary on their performance. What I wouldn’t give for the opportunity to talk to a trial Judge once the trial is complete for a critique of my performance! It is a valuable experience for any litigator!
The Jury also awards cash prizes for the best opening, best closing, best chief or cross, best overall advocate, and the best team. I sponsor the award for Best Witness since they have to bring their own “client” and are dependent on that fellow student to stick to the facts accurately while on the stand.
I am constantly amazed at the quality of the advocacy among the law students. The entire event is funded by individual plaintiff’s lawyers who are members of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association. The OTLA lawyers on the Committee give willingly of their time and expertise to maximize the learning experience for the students, including giving up a Saturday for the “Trial”.