civil law mock trial - ojenojen.ca/wp-content/uploads/ojen-civil-mock-hearing_opolsky-v-pas… ·...

1 © 2010 | ojen.caA c i v i l s o c i e t y t h r o u g h e d u c At i o n A n d d i A l o g u e

Scenario: opolSky v. JaSwal and paSha paGeList of participants 2What happened? 3 - 4Relevant Law 5Background information for witnesses 6 - 12Statement of Claim 13 - 17Statement of Defence 18 - 20

role preparation paGePreparing for a Mock Trial 1 - 5Time Chart 6Etiquette 7 - 8Role Preparation for:

Plaintiff and Defendant Lawyers 9 - 12Judge 13Jury 13Court Clerk 14 - 15Court Artist 16Members of the Press 17

For each OJEN Civil Law Mock Trial, there are three packages: » oJen civil law Mock trial Scenario » oJen civil law Mock trial Role Preparation Package » oJen civil law Mock trial Justice Sector Volunteer Package

Youth need the Scenario and role preparation packages. Justice sector volunteers/teachers/organizers need all three packages.

JuStice Sector volunteer packaGe paGePurpose of a Mock Trial 1Mock Trial Time Chart 2Information for:

Lawyer Coaches 3 - 4Mock Trial Judges 5 - 6

CIvIL LAW MOCk TRIAL: opolSky v. JaSwal and paSha

1 © 2010 | ojen.caA c i v i l s o c i e t y t h r o u g h e d u c At i o n A n d d i A l o g u e

thiS packaGe containS: paGeList of participants 2What happened? 3 - 4Relevant law 5 Background information for witnesses 6 - 12Statement of Claim 13 - 17Statement of Defence 18 - 20

CIvIL LAW MOCk TRIAL: opolSky v. JaSwal and paSha

Scenario: OpOlsky v. Jaswal and pasha• Defamation

• Facebook

For each OJEN Civil Law Mock Trial, there are three packages:

» oJen civil law Mock trial Scenario

» oJen civil law Mock trial role preparation package

» oJen civil law Mock trial Justice Sector volunteer package

Youth need the Scenario and role preparation packages. Justice sector volunteers/teachers/organizers need all three packages.

2 © 2010 | ojen.caA c i v i l s o c i e t y t h r o u g h e d u c At i o n A n d d i A l o g u e

civil l aw Mock Trial scenArio: O p O l s k y v . J a s wa l a n d pa s h ap

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liSt of participantS1.Bruce Opolsky(plaintiff)

2.Tahiya Jaswal (Defendant)

3.Jordan Pasha (Defendant)

4.Lani Chu (Witness)

5.Lawyers for the Plaintiff (4)

6.Lawyers for the Defendants (4)

7.Judge (canbeplayedbyastudent,ateacher,ajudge,oralawyer)

8.Court Services Officer (keepsorderinthecourt)(optional)

9.Court Clerk (assiststhejudge) (optional)

10. Jury Members (10) (optional)

11. The Press (2,reportonthetrial)(optional)

12. Court Artists (2,sketchwhathappensattrial) (optional)

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What happened?BruceOpolskyisawrestlerfortheBurdettLakehighschoolwrestlingteam.heisnotthebestonhisteam,buthasworkedhardandrecentlywonthe“Mostim-provedplayeraward.”Onapril23,20**BruceappliedtoLanichu,theco-coordi-natorofGraykesOvernightcamp,forajobasacampcounsellorattheirsummersportscamp.

BrucenicholasisinthesameyearasBruceOpolsky.heisamemberofthefootballteamatBurdettLakehigh.

OnMay12,20**agroupofstudents,ledbytahiyaJaswal,createdaFacebookgroupfortheirschoolnewspaper,the Burdett Lake Bugle.Oneofthediscussionthreadsonthegroup’ssitewascalled“Bruceisacheater.”

intheinitialpost,tahiyaJaswal,theeditorofthenewspaper,wrotean‘exposé’about“Bruce.”initshewrote:

“Bruceisacheater.hetakestheeasywayoutofeverything.hepaidKirantofinishhisenglishreportandhecheatedduringhischemistryfinal.i’msurehedoesn’tcomebyanythinghonestly.hedoesn’tevenknowhowtowork–ibethe’sonsteroids.“

aftertahiya’spost,anumberofotherstudentscommentedaswell.Jordanpashawrote:

“itotallyagree.he’scheatedoffmyworkinclass.the‘roidsprobablymakehistacklesandflipsmoreforcefulbuthisbraincellsuseless!”

thenewspaper’sgroupisavailabletoallstudentsintheBurdettLakehighschoolFacebooknetwork.the“Bruceisacheater”discussionthreadcameuponthenewsfeedforallmembersofFacebookfromBurdettLakehighschool.

BurdettLakeisasmallhighschoolandmoststudentsknowbothBruces.LastyearBrucenicholaswasthepromKingandBruceOpolskyplacedsecondatOFsaaforwrestling.BothBrucesareregisteredingradetwelvechemistrythisyear.

thewrestlingcoachheardabouttheFacebookpostsandmadeBruceOpolskytakeaurineanalysistest.hewasbenchedwhilethecoachwaitedfortheresults.inad-dition,LanichuheardabouttheFacebookpostingthroughherdaughter,astudentatBurdettLake.Basedontheposting,LanideniedBruceOpolskythesummercampcounsellorjobbecauseshedidn’tfeelthathewasatrustworthycandidate.

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aftertheseevents(andacleanbillofhealthfromthewrestlingcoach),BruceOpolskysuedtahiyaJaswalandJordanpashafordefamation.inhislawsuit,BruceOpolskyaskedforthefollowingindamages:

» $2,500 for lost wages as a camp counsellor » $5,000 for general damages

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the laWwhaT is defaMaTion? Defamationordefaminganotherpersoncanoccurwhensomeonemakesanuntruestatementaboutsomeoneelsethatharm’sthatperson’reputationinthecommunity.Whenthestatementiswritten,itisreferredtoaslibel.aspokenstatementiscalledslander.

Foranuntruestatementtobelibelorlibelous,itmustmeetthreecriteria:

1. itmustbepublished

2. itmustbeabouttheplaintiff

3. it musthavecausedharmtoloweredtheplaintiff’sreputationinthe community

defences To a claiM of defaMaTioniftheplaintiffhasestablishedthesethreecriteria,thepersonwhopublishedthestatementcanprovideadefencetodefamation.incanadatherearethreecom-mondefencestodefamation:

Truth:ifthedefendantcanprovethatthestatementistrue,thentheharmtothereputationisrelatedtotheplaintiff’sownactions,notthepublishingofthestate-ment.  Forexample,ifanewspaperreportsthatabusinessownerparticipatedininsidertrading,andcanshowthatthepersonwasfoundguiltyofinsidertrading,thenthenewspaperarticledidn’tcreatetheharm–theinsidertradingcreatedtheharm.

Fair Comment:apersonmayhaveadefencetodefamationifthestatementisanissueofpublicimportanceordebate.ifthepersonhasanhonestbeliefinthestatementandisparticipatinginthedebateonamatterofpublicinterest,heorshemightnotberesponsibleforanyharmcaused.

Privilege:sometimessomeonewillmakeastatementincourtorinthelegisla-turethathurtssomeone’sreputation.however,statementsmadeintheseenvi-ronmentsaresaidtobeprivileged.thismeansthatsomeonecannotbesuedforharmcreatedbyastatementmadeinthesesettings.

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BruCe OPOLSky, PlainTiff

your background:

• YournameisBruceOpolsky.Youare16yearsoldandastudentatBurdettLakehighschool.Youareamemberofyourschool’swrestlingteam.

• Youwonthe“Mostimprovedplayeraward”onyourteamandplacedsecondatOFsaaforwres-tling.

• Youhavebeenwrestlingeversinceyoustartedhighschoolandyouthinkyoumighthaveafu-tureinwrestling.

• Youhavenevertakensteroidsoranyotherillegalsubstance.

• Youwerewell-likedatyourschoolbeforetheFacebookgroupthreadwascreated.

• Youaretakinggradetwelvechemistryandyouhavenevercheatedonanyworkinclass.

your version of what happened:

• Onapril23,20**,youappliedtoGraykesOver-nightcampattheirsummersportscampforajobascampcounsellor.

• YounoticedonedaythattherewasaFacebookgroupdiscussionthreadcalled“Bruceisacheat-er”andthatitsaid“Bruce”wastakingsteroidsandcheatingoffothersinclass.

• Youfeltembarrassedandangryaboutthethingssaidaboutyouonthethread.

• afewdaysaftertheFacebookgroupthreadwascreated,peopleatschoolstartedtolaughatyouandcalledyouacheater.studentsdonotwanttoworkwithyoubecausetheythinkyouwillcheatoffofthem.

how can i prepare to be a Good witneSS durinG trial?

» Learn your facts by heart. » You will be sworn in during the trial and need to spell your character’s full name. » Stick to the script. Don’t make up facts because this is unfair to the student lawyers. » Listen to the questions carefully. If you do not understand the question, then ask to have it repeated. » If a lawyer asks a question about something that isn’t in your package, you can say you don’t know the answer. » Speak with the lawyers representing your side ahead of time, and get into character when you take the stand.

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BruCe OPOLSky, PlainTiff• Yourwrestlingcoachaskedyoutotakeaurinetestandyouwerebenched

whilethecoachwaitedfortheresults.

• theotherplayersonyourwrestlingteamtreatedyoudifferentlyandseemedtoloserespectforyouasaresultofeverythingthathadhappened.

• Lanichu,theco-coordinatorofGraykes,deniedyouyoursummerjobbe-causeshedidn’tfeelthatyouwereatrustworthycandidate.

• Youhavenotappliedforanyothersummerjobsandreallywantedtoworkatthesummersportscamp.Youarenotsurehowyou’llearnmoneythissum-mer.

• YoudonotknowwhytahiyaJaswalsaidyouwereacheater.Youhaveneverliedaboutherorhurtherinanyway.

QueStionS you Should think about when preparinG:

How do you feel about people saying that you take steroids?

Why did you want to work as a camp counselor for Grakyes Overnight Camp?

How did you feel about being benched and having to take a urine test?

How has this experience impacted you?

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TAhiyA JASwAL, defendanT

your background:

• YournameistahiyaJaswal.Youare16yearsoldandastudentatBurdettLakehighschool.

• Youaretheeditoroftheschoolnewspaper,theBurdett Lake Bugle.

• Youenjoywritinginterestingarticlesandhopetohaveacareerinjournalismoneday.

your version of what happened:

• Onedayatschool,yourfriendKirantoldyouthatBrucenicholaspaidher$25tofinishhisenglishreport.YoualsoheardarumorthatBrucecheatedonhischemistryfinalexam.

• YoualsoknowthatBruceismemberoftheBur-dettLakehighschoolfootballteam.

• Youbelievecheatingiswrongandwantedevery-onetoknowthatBrucecheated.

• Youcreatedadiscussionthreadontheschoolnewspaper’sFacebookgroupentitled“Bruceisacheater.”YouwroteanexposéonBrucewhichstatedthathecheatsinschoolandthatheisdishonest.Youalsosaidthatyoubethewasonsteroids.

• YoudidnotknowthatthereweretwostudentsnamedBruceintheschool.YoudidnotspecifyBruce’slastnameinthetitleofthegrouporinyourposting.

• inyourmessage,youwerereferringtoBrucenicholas,notBruceOpolsky.

• afteryourexposé,anumberofstudentsmadecommentsonyourthread.

how can i prepare to be a Good witneSS durinG trial?

» Learn your facts by heart. » You will be sworn in during the trial and need to spell your character’s full name. » Stick to the script. Don’t make up facts because this is unfair to the student lawyers. » Listen to the questions carefully. If you do not understand the question, then ask to have it repeated. » If a lawyer asks a question about something that isn’t in your package, you can say you don’t know the answer. » Speak with the lawyers representing your side ahead of time, and get into character when you take the stand.

9 © 2010 | ojen.caA c i v i l s o c i e t y t h r o u g h e d u c At i o n A n d d i A l o g u e

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QueStionS you Should think about when preparinG:

Why did you want to write an exposé about Bruce?

Why didn’t you include a last name?

What effects do you think your article had on Bruce Opolsky?

TAhiyA JASwAL, defendanT

10 © 2010 | ojen.caA c i v i l s o c i e t y t h r o u g h e d u c At i o n A n d d i A l o g u e

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how can i prepare to be a Good witneSS durinG trial?

» Learn your facts by heart. » You will be sworn in during the trial and need to spell your character’s full name. » Stick to the script. Don’t make up facts because this is unfair to the student lawyers. » Listen to the questions carefully. If you do not understand the question, then ask to have it repeated. » If a lawyer asks a question about something that isn’t in your package, you can say you don’t know the answer. » Speak with the lawyers representing your side ahead of time, and get into character when you take the stand.

QueStionS you Should think about when preparinG:

Why did you write that Bruce cheated off of you in class?

Which Bruce were you talking about?

Did you know which Bruce the thread was talking about?

JOrDAn PAShA, defendanT

your background:

• YournameisJordanpasha.Youare16yearsoldandastudentatBurdettLakehighschool.

• YouareinthesamegradetwelvechemistryclassasbothBruceOpolskyandBrucenicholas.

• Youdoverywellinschoolanddonotlikepeoplecheatingoffofyou.

• Youenjoyreadingtheschoolnewspaper,theBurdett Lake Bugle.

your version of what happened:

• WhenyoureadtheFacebookdiscussionthread“Bruceisacheater”,youassumedthatitwasre-ferringtoBrucenicholasbecausehecheatedoffofyouduringthefinalchemistryexam.

• adayafteryousawthepostingbytahiyaJas-wal,youpostedacommentonthesamethreadsayingthatyouagreethatBruceisacheaterbecausehecheatedoffofyouonyourchemis-tryexam.Youalsowrotethathisbraincellswereuseless.

• WhenyouwrotethatBrucecheatedoffofyou,youweretalkingaboutBrucenicholas.

• BruceOpolskyhasnevercheatedoffofyourwork.

11 © 2010 | ojen.caA c i v i l s o c i e t y t h r o u g h e d u c At i o n A n d d i A l o g u e

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how can i prepare to be a Good witneSS durinG trial?

» Learn your facts by heart. » You will be sworn in during the trial and need to spell your character’s full name. » Stick to the script. Don’t make up facts because this is unfair to the student lawyers. » Listen to the questions carefully. If you do not understand the question, then ask to have it repeated. » If a lawyer asks a question about something that isn’t in your package, you can say you don’t know the answer. » Speak with the lawyers representing your side ahead of time, and get into character when you take the stand.

LAni Chu, wiTness

your background:

• YournameisLanichu.Youare39yearsold.

• Youhaveworkedasco-ordinatorforGraykesOvernightcampfor3yearsandareresponsibleforhiringcounsellorsatthecamp.

• Youusuallyhirestudentswhoareresponsibleandenjoysportsbecausethecamphasmanysportactivities.

• Youhavea15yearolddaughterwhogoestoBurdettLakehighschool.

your version of what happened:

• Onapril23,20**,youreceivedaresuméfromBruceOpolskyseekingapositionasacampcounselloratyoursummersportscamp.

• YouwereoriginallygoingtohireOpolskybe-causehewasveryinterestedinthejobandyoubelievedthathewasresponsibleandenjoyedsports.

• YourdaughtertoldyouonenightaboutaFace-bookdiscussionthreadthatstatedBrucewastakingsteroidsandthathecheatedonhiswork.

• afteryourdaughtertoldyouabouttheFacebookdiscussion,youchangedyourmindaboutOpol-skybecauseyoudidnotbelievethathewasatrustworthycandidate.Yougavethejobtosome-oneelse.

• YouhaveconcernsthatBrucemayhavetakensteroidsandisdishonestanddon’tthinkhewouldbeagoodcandidateforthepositionifthesearetrue.

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QueStionS you Should think about when preparinG:

What qualities do you look for in a counselor for summer camp?

How did your opinion of Bruce Opolsky change after you heard about the thread?

LAni Chu, wiTness

13 © 2010 | ojen.caA c i v i l s o c i e t y t h r o u g h e d u c At i o n A n d d i A l o g u e

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Defendants

STATeMenT OF CLAiM

tOtheDeFenDants:

aLeGaLprOceeDinGhasBeencOMMenceDaGainstYOUbytheplaintiff.theclaimmadeagainstyouissetoutinthefollowingpages.

iFYOUWishtODeFenDthisprOceeDinG,youoranOntariolawyeractingforyoumustprepareastatementofdefenceinForm18aprescribedbytherulesofcivilprocedure,serveitontheplaintiff’slawyeror,wheretheplaintiffdoesnothavealawyer,serveitontheplaintiff,andfileit,withproofofservice,inthiscourtoffice,WithintWentYDaYsafterthisstatementofclaimisservedonyou,ifyouareservedinOntario.

ifyouareservedinanotherprovinceorterritoryofcanadaorintheUnitedstatesofamerica,theperiodforservingandfilingyourstatementofdefenceisfortydays.ifyouareservedoutsidecanadaandtheUnitedstatesofamerica,thepe-riodissixtydays.

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insteadofservingandfilingastatementofdefence,youmayserveandfileanoticeofintenttodefendinForm18Bprescribedbytherulesofcivilprocedure.thiswillentitleyoutotenmoredayswithinwhichtoserveandfileyourstate-mentofdefence.

iFYOUFaiLtODeFenDthisprOceeDinG,JUDGMentMaYBeGiVenaGainstYOUinYOUraBsenceanDWithOUtFUrthernOticetOYOU.iFYOUWishtODeFenDthisprOceeDinGBUtareUnaBLetOpaYLeGaLFees,LeGaLaiDMaYBeaVaiLaBLetOYOUBYcOntactinGaLOcaLLeGaLaiDOFFice.

Dated:March15,20XX

issuedby:

Localregistrar10thFloor500Legalavenueanytown,Ontarioa1a2B2

tO:tahiYaJasWaL111Mainstreetanytown,Ontaria1a2B2

anDtO:JOrDanpasha403centreroadanytown,Ontarioa1a2B2

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The claiM1. The Plaintiff claims against the defendants:

a. Generaldamagesfordefamationintheamountof$5,000.00;

b. Lostwagesintheamountof$2,500.00;

c. interestfromthedatethatnoticewasgiventothedefendantsuntilJudge-mentpursuanttotheCourts of Justice Act,r.s.O.1990,c.c-43;

d. costsofthisactiononasubstantialbasis;and

e. suchfurtherandotherreliefasthishonourablecourtdeemsjust.

The Parties2.theplaintiff,BruceOpolsky(“Bruce”),isanindividualwhoresidesinthecityoftorontointheprovinceofOntarioandattendsBurdettLakehighschool(“Bur-dett”).heisawrestlerfortheBurdettschoolteam.

3.thedefendant,tahiyaJaswal(“tahiya”),isanindividualwhoresidesinthecityoftorontointheprovinceofOntario.shealsoattendsBurdett,andistheeditoroftheschoolnewspaper.

4.thedefendant,Jordanpasha(“Jordan”),isanindividualwhoresidesinthecityoftorontointheprovinceofOntario.healsoattendsBurdett.

The Libel5.OnMay12,20XX,tahiyacreatedadiscussiongrouponthewebsite“Face-book”fortheBurdettschoolnewspaper.Oneofthediscussionthreadsonthegroup’ssitewascalled“Bruceisacheater”(the“thread”).thethreadisdefama-toryoftheplaintiffinitsentiretyaswellasinthefollowingstatementswrittenbytahiya:

“Bruce is a cheater. He takes the easy way out of everything. He paid Kiran to finish his English report and he cheated during our Chemistry final. I’m sure he doesn’t come by anything honestly. He doesn’t even know how to work – I bet he’s on steroids.”

6.eachofthesedefamatorystatementsreferredtotheplaintiffandcouldbeunderstoodtorefertotheplaintiff.eachstatementwasfalseanddefamatoryoftheplaintiff.

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7.thewordsinthethreadmeantandwereunderstoodtomeanintheirnaturalandordinarymeaningthat:

1. theplaintiffwasacheatanddishonestinhisacademics;

2.theplaintiffwasdishonestinhisathletics;and

3.theplaintiffoweshisperformanceontheschoolwrestlingteamtosteroids.

8.thestatementswrittenandpostedonthethreadbythedefendant,Jordan,arealsodefamatoryoftheplaintiff:

“I totally agree. He’s tried to cheat off my work in class. The ‘roids probably make his tackles and flips more forceful but his brain cells useless!”

9.thedefendant,tahiya,isresponsibleforpublishingthedefamatorystate-mentsinhercapacityastheeditoroftheschoolnewspaperandastheowneroftheFacebookgroup.

The Damages10. thedefamatorypostingsdisparagedthecharacteroftheplaintiffinthecommunityandthroughouttheprovince.

11. thenewspaper’sFacebookgroupisavailabletoallthestudentsintheBurdettFacebooknetwork.the“Bruceisacheater”discussionthreadcameuponthenewsfeedforallmembersofFacebookfromBurdett.

12. thedefendantskneworoughttohaveknownthattheplainmeaningandinnuendoofthewordsweredefamatoryandlibelousoftheplaintiffandthatthewords,theirmeaningandtheinnuendowereuntrue.

1. asaresultofthepublicationofthepostingstheplaintiffhasbeengreatlyinjuredinhischaracter,creditandreputationandhasbeenhelduptopub-licscandal,ridiculeandcontempt.thedefendants’conducthascausedtheplaintiffgreatdistress,embarrassment,lossofreputation,humiliationandfinancialloss.

2. thepostingsdisparagedthereputationandcompetenceoftheplaintiffinhisintendedprofession,wrestling.inaddition,asaresultofthedefamatorypostings,theplaintiffsufferedalossofemploymentasacampcounselor.

3. thedefendantsactedoutofmalicetowardstheplaintiffandwiththede-

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liberateintentionofdiscreditedhisreputationandholdinghimuptopublicscandal,ridiculeandcontempt.

The Trial

13. theplaintiffproposesthatthetrialofthisactionbeheardwithajuryintoronto.

Dateissued:May1,20XX The litigator llP 456centrestreet anytown,Ona1a2B2

J. lawyerly, ll.B. Lawyerfortheplaintiff

BruceOpolskyplaintiff

and

tahiyaJaswalandJordanpashaDefendants

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proceedingcommencedattoronto

stateMentOFcLaiM

theLeGaLeaGLesLLpBarristers&solicitors789highstreetanytown,Ona1a2B2

a.JusticeLawyerfortheDefendantservedonFax:416-555-5555

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STATeMenT OF DeFenCe OF The DeFenDAnTSTAhiyA JASwAL and JOrDAn PAShA

1.thedefendantsadmitparagraphs2,3and4ofthestatementofclaim.

2.thedefendantsdenytheremainderofthestatementofclaimandspecifi-cally,denythattheplaintiffisentitledtothereliefclaimedinparagraph1.

3.thedefendanttahiyaJaswaladmitsthatshecreatedtheprivateFacebookdiscussionthreadentitled“Bruceisacheater,”andthatshewrotethestatementsinparagraph5ofthestatementofclaim.

4.thedefendantJordanpashaadmitsthatshecreatedtheprivateFacebookpostingthatbeganwiththeline“itotallyagree.”

5.theFacebookwebsitepermitstheownerandapprovedmemberstopostcommentsinthediscussionthreadsandtocreatesame.readercommentsof-

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tentaketheformofaconversationordebate.

6.Facebookprovidesanopportunityforuserstocorrectorchallengeassertionsmadebytheauthoroftheoriginalposting,materialthatisquotedfromothersourcesortoaddinformationthatexpandsthediscussion.

7.thedefendantspleadthatopinionsandfactspostedonFacebookaresubjecttorevision,correctionandrefutationbyothermembers.

8.thedefendantspleadsthatthewordscomplainedofarenotdefamatoryoftheplaintiff,didnotrefertotheplaintiff,andarenotcapableofreferringtotheplaintiff.thewordscomplainedofreferredtoanotherindividual,Brucenicho-las,alsoastudentatBurdettLakehighschool.anyonewhoreadthewordscomplainedofwouldhaveknownthattheyreferredtoBrucenicholas,andnottheplaintiff.

9.thedefendantsdenythatthewordscomplainedofbearorarecapableofbearingthemeaningssetoutinparagraph7ofthestatementofclaim.

10. inthealternative,insofarasthewordscomplainedofconsistofstate-mentsoffactaboutBrucenicholas,theyweretruestatementsoffact,andinso-farastheyconsistofexpressionsofopiniontheywerefaircommentmadehon-estlyingoodfaithandwithoutmalice.

11. thesedefendantssaythatthewordswerepublishedingoodfaithwith-outmaliceonanoccasionofqualifiedprivilegeinthatthedefendantshadale-gitimateinterestanddutytopublishthewordstotheBurdettLakehighschoolgroup,whichhadacorrespondinginterestinreceivingthatinformation.

12. thesedefendantsstatethatthewordscomplainedofwerepublishedasanincidentoftheFreedomofexpressionguaranteedbysections1and2ofthecharterofrightsandFreedoms.

13. thedefendantsdenythattheplaintiffhasbeeninjuredorsufferedanylossordamagesasalleged,andputstheplaintifftothestrictproofthereof.iftheplaintiffhassufferedanylossordamageitistheresultoftheactionsoftheplaintiff,thefulldetailsofwhichareknowntotheplaintiffandnottothesede-fendants.

14. thedefendantspleadandrelyuponsections23and24oftheLibelandslanderact,r.s.O.1990c.L.12.

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15. thesedefendantssubmitthatthisactionbedismissedwithcostsonasubstantialindemnitybasis.

Date:May2,20XX

theLeGaLeaGLesLLpBarristers&solicitorsanytown,Ona1a2B2

a.Justice,,LL.B.solicitorforthedefendants,tahiyaJaswalandJordanpasha

TO: The Litigator LLP 456centrestreet anytown,Ona1a2B2

J.Lawyerly,LL.B. Lawyerfortheplaintiff

BruceOpolskyplaintiff

and

tahiyaJaswalandJordanpashaDefendants

courtFileno:09-aB-876543cD2

ONTARIOsUperiOrcOUrtOFJUstice

proceedingcommencedattoronto

stateMentOFDeFence

theLeGaLeaGLesLLpBarristers&solicitors789highstreetanytown,Ona1a2B2

a.JusticeLawyerfortheDefendantsservedonFax:416-555-5555