Constitutional Law Mock Appeal Scenario: R. v. J.F.

This resource, originally from the OJEN Spring 2007 Charter Challenge, deals with search and seizure issues under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A school principal has permitted police officers to search students’ lockers for drugs, which results in one student, J.F., being charged with drug possession. J.F. brings an application challenging the school’s policy to allow random police searches as violating his right to life, liberty and security of the person and his right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure under ss. 7 and 8 of the Charter. 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.