About

When Victoria Ventura discovered that Waterloo didn’t have a Mock Trial Club, she decided to start her own. Having done mock trials in high school, she knew how valuable an experience they were. “Since our BA degrees are more focused on the theoretical side of law and society, mock trials are the best way to get practical law experience and apply some of the concepts you’ve learned in class,” says Ventura

Mock trials simulate real-life court proceedings, where participants act as lawyers and witnesses to present a case. Working with pre-determined facts and statements, a team will represent either the Crown or Defense through opening statements, witness examinations and closing arguments. At competitions, teams typically have two to three weeks to prepare their case, and their performance is scored by a judge.

The club’s mission is to provide a platform for students passionate about law to immerse themselves in practical legal experience, enhancing their academic pursuits and career aspirations.

The club formed its first competitive teams in Fall 2023, where they are currently focusing on competing in domestic Mock Trial Cups.

In the summer of 2024, with support from the Arts Endowment Fund, the Mock Trial Club won their first championship at the Ontario Mock Trial Association’s (OMTA) summer tournament. “It was right around our one-year anniversary as a club. It’s not often teams climb the ranks so quickly,” Ventura comments, “but the students in this club truly impress me term after term.”

The biggest piece of advice the team offers is to put yourself out there because you never know the impact it will have. “Mock Trial is what caused me to pivot from a STEM degree to an Arts one, helped me land my first co-op and introduced me to some of my closest friends,” Ventura says. “I cannot recommend it enough.”