Barry Sullivan Law Cup

Barry Sullivan Law Cup 2024 Details

Date: Friday, April 19, 2024
Time: 4:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: UBC Robson Square Campus, 800 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2E7

Topic: War, natural disasters, and persecution are among the reasons people seek refuge in other countries. What responsibility, if any, should Canada bear in respect of refugees?*

*We recognize that participants and audience members will have diverse perspectives on this topic. Please be mindful of this when developing and delivering your speech for the competition.

Applications for 2024 are closed. Please email events@cbabc.org to be added to the list for 2025.

The Barry Sullivan Law Cup is sponsored by:

The Barry Sullivan Law Cup is a province-wide public speaking competition for high school students to honour the memory of Barry M. Sullivan, QC and his contributions the legal profession and education. 

This is an annual event that provides high school students with a unique platform to explore and express their perspectives on legal matters through public speaking. This competition not only hones their oratory skills but also encourages critical thinking and engagement with legal concepts.

The competition involves a five-minute speech on a certain law-related topic, chosen by a panel of lawyers. Participants are judged by esteemed legal professionals during the preliminary round. Final Round judges have included judges from the Courts in British Columbia and representatives from UBC and the media, among others.

The Final Round, usually consisting of 5 finalists, of which there are three winners:

• First prize: $1,500 (School will also receive a trophy to keep for the year in recognition)
• Second prize: $250
• Third prize: $150

Requirements

• Student must be enrolled in Grade 10, 11, or 12.
• Student must reside and study in British Columbia. Students residing outside of the Lower Mainland can request support for transportation and accommodations.
• Due to the interest in participation, a maximum of 3 students per school can enter.

​Schools with more than 3 interested students are encouraged to conduct their own initial speech competition with school educators as judges. 

Rules

1. Each contestant is to prepare one speech on a pre-selected topic.
2. Each speech is to be delivered in less than 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, contestants are penalized one point for every 5 seconds.
3. Contestants will be judged according to the guidelines below.

Guidelines

In judging the contest, the judges will have in mind the following factors:

1. Effectiveness
   1. Was the speech persuasive and convincing?
   2. Does the speech have emotional impact?
   3. Was the speech structured and well-organized?
2. Content
   1. Was the reasoning sound?
   2. Was the speech creative and/or thoughtful?
   3. Did the speech adhere to subject topic?
3. Delivery
   1. Voice: volume, clarity, pace, enunciation
   2. Presence: poise, connection with audience, style

Call for Volunteers

We seek volunteers to be support this competition as emcees and judges. Details here.

Volunteers are required arrive the day-of by 4:30pm and finish by 7:00pm. Prior to the event, volunteers are asked to attend a one-hour virtual orientation. 

Contact events@cbabc.org for more information.