Vancouver. West Coast Environmental Law today held Twitter Moot 2014 – an on-line court-appeal argued over Twitter and featuring law students from across Canada. The winners of this unique social media event were Erin Gray and Mae Price of the University of Victoria. The two tweeters were also selected by the audience – through an on-line poll – for the “people’s choice award.”
The students were arguing an appeal from the precedent setting judgment of the Yukon Court of Appeal in Ross River Dena Council v. Yukon, which focused on a conflict arising from tensions between “free entry” mining laws and the constitutionally protected title and rights of First Nations. Students were also encouraged to address broader public policy and environmental issues raised by the case. The winning team represented the Ross River Dena Council.
“All of the students were professional and very articulate – despite being constrained by 140 character tweets,” said Andrew Gage, Twitter Moot Administrator and Staff Lawyer with West Coast. “This was a great opportunity for law students and Canadians to learn and discuss about whether and how the law protects the environment and Aboriginal rights.”
The Twitter Moot, which was held at 10am PST, was the number 1 trending topic in Canada. Students from Victoria, Edmonton, Thunder Bay, Toronto and Halifax competed in the on-line contest. This is the third time that West Coast Environmental Law has hosted a Twitter Moot.
Twitter Moot 2014 is sponsored by the Law Foundation of BC, Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP, Saxe Law Office, Parlee McLaws LLP, Rana Law, Mandell Pinder LLP, and others.
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For more information or to arrange interviews with Twitter Moot Contestants contact:
Jeanette Ageson, Twitter Moot Clerk, West Coast Environmental Law - 604-601-2511.