Three volunteer lawyers (centre) hang out with Richmond Hill High mock trial team members Tiffany Santos (left), Vitushan Jeyakumaran, Rann Wang, Maysum Panju, Jessica Lee and Stephanie Cheung after they won another York Region high school championship.
Richmond Hill
April 15, 2008 12:09 AM
Richmond Hill High students best 23 other York teams for right to argue for provincial title
By: Dwayne Wynter, Contributor
After tirelessly arguing, strategizing and competing against more than 200 students from 24 schools across the region, the end result looked familiar for law students from Richmond Hill High School: first place.
The team won its fourth Regional Judges Cup and is now preparing to pursue the school’s third Ontario Bar Association mock trial championship in four years.
They present their case tomorrow and Thursday inside the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto.
Senior law teacher Michele Axelrod said she decided it would be a great event to have the students in when she heard about the bar association competition.
“Something like this teaches them and helps with their advocacy and communication skills. It strengthens their public speaking and allows them to work on their presentation at a higher level,” Ms Axelrod said.
Noting such an event can lead to a legal career, Ms Axelrod said it has helped steer students into the profession, explaining one graduate is studying at Osgoode Law School in Toronto.
Their lawyer coach, Roy Respicio agreed it is a special learning opportunity.
“I want them to really understand the legal process as well,” Mr. Respicio said. “If only one student goes to law school because of this, I’ve done my job.”
Coaching the team since it started and answering any questions it may have, Mr. Respicio said he wants to show students how the courtroom process is different than what’s portrayed in crime and legal dramas.
“What I’d like is for them to have an appreciation of the process and not expect to see what they watch on television.”
By the flip of a coin all eight teams from across Ontario, consisting of four lawyers, of which two play witnesses, are given a side to argue in the competition’s first round.
During the second round, the case of R. v. Thoroxalon, a case about importing illegal drugs, has the teams reverse positions.
Knowing teams need to be able to both prosecute and defend the case, Mr. Respicio helps the students to develop their strategy accordingly.
“The sign of a great lawyer is a person who can argue both sides,” he said.
Richmond Hill will be prepared, he said.
“They are all great public speakers and we should all really be proud of them. They’re like sponges that soak up every bit of information,” Mr. Respicio said.