Second-year students win annual Blackstone Medals Debate

Second-year students Alex Carter and Nick Sigouin have won the 2017 Blackstone Medals Debate.

Alex and Nick were arguing in the affirmative on the topic "Be it resolved that Canada ban the use of solitary confinement in prisons."

Rick Billington, QC, Susan Billington, QC, and The Honourable Madam Justice Kristine Eidsvik were the judges for the final round, which took place on November 8, 2017.

First-year student Bradley Mills (right) was the top oralist of the competition.

The Blackstone Medals Debate was initiated by the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary in honour of Judge Irwin Blackstone, one of the founding members of the school. Law students have had the opportunity to participate in the Debate since 1980. Teams are comprised of 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students. The Blackstone Medals Debate focuses not on the volume of research that a student prepares and presents, but instead on the students' ability to provide a clear and concise argument during a structured debate lasting 43 minutes. The debate focuses on the true strength of an argument and provides excellent exposure and practice in oral advocacy.