About the award

The Mundell Medal celebrates excellence in legal writing by Ontario writers who have made notable contributions to law and letters published in the past year or over the course of a career. The award recognizes:

  • literary craftsmanship
  • clear expression
  • expertise

Who is eligible

Eligible candidates include:

  • lawyers
  • academics
  • other legal writers such as journalists or historians

You can nominate someone who was previously nominated. 

Submit a nomination

The nomination period for the Mundell Medal is now now closed.

Award winner

We will announce the winner(s) of the Mundell Medal in Spring 2024.

History of the award

The Mundell Medal was established in 1986 by Ian Scott, former Attorney General, to advance and foster the effective use of language in the legal profession.

The award honours the late David Walter Mundell, a renowned constitutional lawyer and the first director of the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Constitutional Law Branch.

The medal was designed by the late Kenneth Jarvis, a lawyer and former Secretary of the Law Society of Upper Canada.

Past recipients

Learn about past Mundell Medal recipients below.

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

  • Lorne M. Sossin

2011

  • Allen Linden
  • Kent Roach

2010

  • Constance Backhouse

2009

  • Brenda Cossman
  • William Kaplan

2008

  • Robert J. Sharpe

2007

  • Patrick J. Monahan

2006

  • Don Stuart
  • Michael J. Trebilcock

2005

  • James G. McLeod

2004

  • Garry D. Watson

2003

  • Jean-Gabriel Castel

2002

  • David M. Paciocco

2001

  • Mark M. Orkin

2000

  • The committee concluded that no award should be made for 2000.

1999

  • Gerald H.L. Fridman

1998

  • John M. Evans (co-author)
  • Donald J.M. Brown (co-author)

1997

  • John Honsberger

1996

  • Margaret H. Ogilvie

1995

  • Stephen Waddams

1994

  • Paul Perell

1993

  • Maurice C. Cullity

1992

  • Peter W. Hogg

1991

  • Sharon A. Williams

1990

  • Peter D. Maddaugh (co-author)
  • John D. McCamus (co-author)

1989

  • Martin L. Friedland

1988

  • The committee concluded that no award should be given for 1988.

1987

  • Harry W. Arthurs

1986

  • William R. Lederma