Moot Report 2025: The Wilson Moot

For the first time since 2012, the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law fielded a team in the 2025 Wilson Moot which took place February 21 – 22 in Toronto, ON at the Federal Court facilities. The Wilson Moot, is named in honour of the late Honourable Bertha Wilson, the first female justice appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada, and pays tribute to her remarkable contributions to Canadian law.

Founded in 1992, the goal of The Wilson Moot is to explore legal issues concerning women and minorities, and promote the education of students and the legal profession in these areas. Past topics chosen for Wilson Moot problems include Charter implications of the taxation scheme for child support payments, freedom of religion in the context of state-funded education, and a challenge to the anti-terrorism provisions of the Criminal Code.

Manitoba competed in a group of 15 teams from across Canada and Australia. The University of Toronto won, with Osgoode Hall Law School (York) placing second and Bond University (Queensland, Australia), third. A University of British Columbia student won the Peter W. Hogg Memorial Prize (Top Oralist) and Thompson Rivers University won top team facta.

Team Manitoba consisted of Avery Alexiuk (2L), Tess Poulton (2L), Maia Bacchus (3L), Kirsten Nynych (3L), who were coached by Madison Pearlman [JD/18] (Law Society of Manitoba), and Charles Murray (Manitoba Justice, Constitutional Law section). The Moot gave each student the chance to watch oral advocacy and creative problem-solving in action, and allowed them to engage in honing their own advocacy skills at the Federal Court.

“The Wilson Moot was a wonderful opportunity to practice our oral and written advocacy skills,” said Nynych. “We gained valuable feedback from our extremely dedicated coaches who also brought in several guest judges leading up to the competition. I think the Wilson moot in particular, broadened our view of how Charter claims may change as society develops and enabled us to make creative and novel arguments because of how the problem was framed.”

“This experience has affirmed how much I enjoy legal advocacy, and I’m excited to keep developing as an advocate and representing the university of Manitoba in the Laskin moot during my 3L year,” said Poulton.

In a LinkedIn post, Team Manitoba’s Avery Alexiuk reflected on this “unforgettable experience arguing complex Charter issues alongside some of the brightest legal minds from across Canada and abroad.”

“I am incredibly proud of our team for our hard work, perseverance, and commitment over the past few months,” said Alexiuk. “Our performances would not have been possible without our coaches, Charles Murray and Madison Pearlman. We are so grateful for your time, guidance and unwavering support!”

Speaking on behalf of the coaches, Pearlman said, “Coaching the Wilson Moot this year, alongside my co-coach Charles Murray, was such an exciting opportunity and a fulfilling experience. It was great to work with a passionate and committed team of students and to support them in developing and honing their advocacy skills. Mooting is an invaluable, practical learning experience for students and helps to prepare them for their future legal careers. Robson Hall’s return to the Wilson Moot this year was not only a chance for this year’s students to engage with complex Charter rights issues and social policy matters, it hopefully opened the door for future students to do the same.”

Alexiuk also thanked moot program coordinators, Professor Darcy MacPherson and Director of Clinics Elizabeth McCandless for support and resources, as well as members of the Manitoba legal community who served as guest judges at practice sessions.

Story submitted by Faculty of Law.