Skip to Main Content
You are now in the main content area

Weirfoulds-Arnup Cup

Arnup Cup group shot

The Arnup Cup

The Arnup Cup (external link)  is an annual trial advocacy competition for Ontario law schools, where student teams conduct trials before a Superior Court judge with witnesses and a jury. It was established in 1988 and is named after the Honourable John D. Arnup, O.C., Q.C., a former distinguished member of the Ontario Court of Appeal and one of Canada’s leading litigation lawyers. The winning team from this competition gets the opportunity to represent Ontario in the prestigious Sopinka Cup, the national trial advocacy competition held annually in Ottawa.

The Sopinka Cup

The Sopinka Cup (external link)  is named in honor of the Honourable Justice John Sopinka, a leading trial and appellate advocate who was appointed directly from practice to the Supreme Court of Canada. Justice Sopinka was involved in many high-profile cases and was known as one of Canada’s most respected judges. Following his unexpected death in November 1997, the American College of Trial Lawyers, in collaboration with his family and colleagues, established the Sopinka Cup competition. This national trial advocacy competition for Canadian law schools began in 1999.

Team Composition

  • 2 Oralists
  • 2 Alternates

Total: 4 Participants

Date Estimates

Competition Day: Beginning of February

Location: Toronto, ON

Course Credit

Participation in this lawyering skills competition is recognized through JUR 345 Directed Studies in the Winter semester.

All 4 participants are required to attend practices for the Arnup Cup, and prepare a Crown/defense case.

Prerequisite Courses

Participants are required to have completed Trial Advocacy, offered in the Fall semester (can be taken concurrently to participating in the Arnup Cup).

Evidence is not required but highly recommended. 

Tryout Process

Tryouts take place in April/May just prior to the McCarthy Tétrault Cup held in May. Participants are selected for the Arnup Cup team through the presentation of an opening statement to a criminal law case provided in advance.