This is the first simulated trial in Canada, and possibly the world, to be held entirely in a virtual reality (VR) courtroom, specially built by EngageVR. The moot competition brings together technology and entrepreneurialism while providing students with an immersive experiential learning opportunity.
In the virtual dispute over the design of a sneaker, students Clara Mustata (1L) and Aram Ebrahimi (1L) represented the claimant, while Angie Ortiz Romero (1L) and Rutvi Patel (1L) represented the respondent.
The presiding judges were Ron LeClair of LeClair and Associates, which sponsors the moot, Justice Jodie-Lynn Waddilove of the Ontario Court of Justice in Barrie and the Honourable Barry Leon, former Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Virgin Islands.
“Today’s competition really reflects who we are, and what we aspire to be, as a law school,” Kristen Boon, the Susan & Perry Dellelce Dean of the Common Law Section said in her opening remarks.
She explained the VR moot supports several of the Faculty’s core values, such as a commitment to technology, entrepreneurialism, and improving access to justice. “We are at the forefront of technology and the law… Today’s competition is an example of leveraging technology to support legal innovation.”
She also noted that the Faculty is well known nationally and internationally for its mooting program, as well as a wide array of experiential learning opportunities.
“We strongly believe that not all learning takes place in the classroom,” she said, highlighting other opportunities for students to gain invaluable work experience such as legal clinics, internships at law offices, government departments and agencies and courts.
Yasir Naqvi, an alum who is Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre and former Attorney General of Ontario, delivered the keynote address. Referring to how VR technology provides new opportunities for the future of real courtrooms, Mr. Naqvi said: “This work … speaks to the future that is upon us. The VR moot is presenting the University of Ottawa Law School as a leader in all this and also demonstrating a path forward … to make access to justice a lived reality for people across our province, the country and perhaps around the world.”
Following the presentation of arguments and deliberations, each of the judges remarked on how ground-breaking this competition was, and the kinds of changes it could lead to for the future of the legal profession.
“The University of Ottawa is showing great vision with this moot, as is LeClair and Associates who support it.”
The Honourable Barry Leon
— Arbitration Place
Justice Waddilove, who was judging the competition, said "The possibility of using virtual reality in the courtroom is both exciting and promising. From an accessibility perspective, the technology …would be significant for those living in rural and or remote areas and who do not have close access to a courthouse.”
“From an accessibility perspective, the technology …would be significant for those living in rural and or remote areas and who do not have close access to a courthouse.”
Justice Jodie-Lynn Waddilove
— Ontario Court of Justice
“It's interesting and exciting to think about what the future holds for students, as the law continues to develop and evolve to reflect Society.”
Ron LeClair
— LeClair and Associates P.C.
Professor Anthony Daimsis, who supervises the mooting program in the Common Law Section, said he is excited by the prospects offered by the VR moot competition and says “this is yet another example of how uOttawa’s mooting program continues to lead and innovate. We have many students who are hungry to sharpen their advocacy skills.”
The LeClair x uOttawa Metaverse Moot was established in 2022 by then-student Ritesh Kotak. Kotak is a tech entrepreneur who left a career in policing to pursue his MBA, then obtained his Juris Doctor in 2022. The metaverse project is generously funded through to 2026 by LeClair and Associates.
