The Guile Debate

A debate is held annually to honour the memory of Robert H. Guile, Q.C. The debate emphasizes humour and camaraderie in the law. Tryouts are held in November. All students are eligible. The tryout consists of a five minute presentation, for or against a resolution announced in advance.  The tryouts, which have become a major social event at the law school, are viewed and much enjoyed by the law school community. Judges—usually faculty members and former Guile debaters—select the four best students for the final. The final round is held in late January. The venue alternates between the Law Courts Inn and the UBC Faculty of Law. Judges are drawn from the BC Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and Provincial Court, the Law Society of British Columbia, the BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, SMALL and the law Student Society.  Each member of the winning team receives a prize of $500 and each member of the runner up team receives a prize of $250.  The faculty advisor for this moot in 2008-09 was Professor Liz Edinger.