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Grand Moot: Hemmings v. Padmore
Join us for a special Grand Moot at Queen’s Law, featuring the Honourable Justice David W. Stratas, as our top student advocates take on a challenging question of tort law and compete for the title of Grand Moot champions.

The case, Hemmings v. Padmore, arises from a tragic medical negligence claim involving Sophia Hemmings, who suffered a severe brain injury after cardiac arrest during a caesarean section at Scarborough Hospital. Following a $12-million damages award at trial, the appeal turns on a fundamental and often difficult question in tort law: causation.

Student advocates will argue the case before Justice Stratas, putting their legal analysis, advocacy and courtroom skills to the test. At the conclusion of the moot, Justice Stratas will select the two winning students.

Come join us for an engaging afternoon of advocacy, competition and tort law at its highest level.

Justice David Stratas. LL.B. (Queen’s University, 1984); B.C.L. (Oxford University, 1986); LL.D. (Queen’s University, 2012, honoris causa). Born in Toronto, Ontario. Law clerk to Justice Bertha Wilson of the Supreme Court of Canada (1986-1987). Called to the Bar of Ontario (1988). Litigation partner in firms in Toronto, Ontario. Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (2008). Appointed Special Advocate by the Minister of Justice (2008). Appointed Judge of the Federal Court of Appeal, and a member ex officio of the Federal Court on December 11, 2009. Appointed Judge of the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada, May 3, 2012. Chair of the Subcommittee on Global Revision to the Federal Courts Rules (2012-2013). Member of the Federal Courts Rules Committee (2010-2019) and the Registry Committee (2020-2025). Adjunct member, Faculty of Law, Queen's University (1994-2026), winning multiple faculty teaching awards. Instructor and presenter at over 70 judicial education sessions across Canada since 1994, most frequently in administrative law. Author of over 250 articles, conference papers and presentations on various legal topics, particularly in the areas of administrative law, constitutional law, and legal writing. Appointed Judge of the Federal Court of Appeal, and a member ex officio of the Federal Court on December 11, 2009. Appointed Judge of the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada, May 3, 2012. Acting Chief Justice, July-November 2023. Currently the senior justice on the Federal Court of Appeal.