Constitutional Law Mock Appeal Scenario: R. v. Genevieve Polyandry

This resource, originally from the OJEN Spring 2008 Charter Challenge, deals with a woman, Genevieve Polyandry, who is charged with bigamy after she wed two men in a Pluralian faith ceremony. Ms. Polyandry challenged the law on the grounds that it violated her freedom of religion, freedom of association and right to life, liberty and security of the person under ss. 2(a), 2(d) and 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This resource includes the trial level decision, which provides the basis for the appeal, as well as a factum template.

About the Charter Challenge

As Ontario’s only provincial appellate-level mock hearing, the Charter Challenge has students prepare arguments of Charter issues raised on appeal. While researching their arguments, students have the opportunity to connect online with other students around the province, as well as with lawyer mentors. Their factums are reviewed and finalist teams have the opportunity to argue the issue before a Court of Appeal judge, either in person or through video-conferencing.