Order in the Court! Celebrating the 2026 CDS Mock Trial Team
By Jayne Wyvill Abubakar
Since September, a dedicated group of CDS students has tirelessly built their legal skills, preparing to make their case at the recent York Region Judge’s Cup Competition. Last week, all that hard work paid off as the 2026 Mock Trial team set a stellar example of careful preparation and courtroom decorum.
While the team might have secretly hoped for a dramatic murder trial, they enthusiastically tackled this year's official case: a high-stakes $15,000 bike theft. Week by week, the students built their arguments, supported by invaluable mentorship from Crown lawyer Daniel Galluzzo (assigned by the Ontario Justice Education Network) and Defence lawyer Jeff Hershberg (CDS parent and board member).
The competition featured 24 teams from across the region, and CDS brought their absolute best to the courtroom during their two moots:
- Moot 1 (Defence): The team secured a brilliant win through skillful in-chief examinations, competent cross-examinations, and cunning testimony. In a masterstroke of strategy, they played up the physical similarities between the accused and their roommate. This mistaken identity defense proved essential, demonstrating that such inferences meant an acquittal was the only option. Justice Bauer specifically praised the team for their flawless procedural knowledge and for raising all the correct issues.
- Moot 2 (Crown): The team faced the notoriously difficult task of proving the bike theft beyond a reasonable doubt. Though an uphill battle, their performance was deeply impressive. Justice Townsend commended our students, noting they were the first team in his preliminary rounds to make him even consider a conviction for the Crown—the previous three cases having been easy acquittals. His high praise was the ultimate confirmation that the team had done everything right.
Though the team didn't advance to the final four, they showed collective efficacy and tenacity, qualities we should all aim to possess. The CDS team was anchored by a fantastic group of students, including:
- Team Leadership & Veterans: Led by Galilea Dodgson, alongside the expertise of returning members Mariella Tsiolis, Joah Khalil, and Oleg Popov.
- Legal Supporters: Clever contributions from Zara Basso, Boya Jin, Liza Kamaras, and Lina Sweeney.
- Detectives: Brought to life by Andrea Mascan, Lucas Rites, and Charles Parkes.
Special congratulations to Galilea Dodgson for winning the individual award from our school and the Best Overall Performer Award last night!
Ms. Wyvill handed out certificates to this year's Mock Trial participants at Monday's Assembly and shared the following: "I am richer for having spent this time with such amazing young people. It is times like these that I realise I am very lucky to do the work that I do. This group has done incredibly well to fuse theory and practice, and they should be proud of their efforts."
Congratulations again to the 2026 Mock Trial Team! If you like investigating tricky situations and crafting rational arguments, consider joining Mock Trial next year! Who knows... maybe next year's case actually will be fraud, assault, or murder!
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
