The Competition Experience

On the first day, teams compete against each other during round one, followed by a cocktail reception at Davies’ Toronto office. On day two, the second rounds commence, with teams arguing the opposite side of the issues. Once the finalists are announced, they appear before a five-judge panel, typically including sitting judges from various courts and OSC members. The winners are named at a dinner ceremony following the final round.

Davies alumna Justice Siobhan Monaghan of the Federal Court of Appeal judged the final round of the Moot from 2019 to 2025. She had previous experience with the Donald G.H. Bowman National Tax Moot and thought, “It’s wonderful that firms are sponsoring these moots and giving students an opportunity to practice what it’s really like to be an advocate. And it’s different than mooting within your law school – this adds a sense of gravitas. And I appreciate that the Davies Moot plays a significant role in the development of the future generation of lawyers. Giving my time to judge it is so little in the grand scheme of things. I am always blown away by the students, and so grateful I’m not 25 and trying to compete against them.”

This year, 14 teams will compete in the Davies Corporate/Securities Law Moot before a panel consisting of The Honourable Justice Malcolm Rowe of the Supreme Court of Canada, The Honourable Justice Elizabeth Walker of the Federal Court of Appeal, The Honourable Justice Benjamin Zarnett of the Ontario Court of Appeal, The Honourable Justice Jane Dietrich of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and Mr. Grant Vingoe, CEO of the Ontario Securities Commission.

Thirty-five years on, the Davies Corporate/Securities Law Moot continues to bring together students, practitioners and members of the judiciary around complex and evolving issues in Canadian business law. Many former competitors have gone on to careers across private practice, academia and the bench, reflecting the lasting impact of the experience.

The Moot’s continued success is the result of the sustained commitment of those who draft the problem, coach the teams and volunteer as judges each year - and, not least, of the enthusiasm and hard work of the students who participate. For Davies, the milestone underscores a long-standing commitment to the development of corporate and securities advocacy and to supporting the broader legal community.

The Davies Corporate/Securities Law Moot: Celebrating 35 Years of Advocacy

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