Law Debate Rules

LAW DEBATE RULES & PROCEDURE (from ANC Square Off) PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY Team Composition and Selection. A Team is composed of three (3) debaters. DEBATE MECHANICS 1. There are two sides (called Affirmative and Negative) and three debaters per side. The motion is announced a week before the debate. 2. The burden of proof, while real, is much less significant in this debate format. Because here, there are two cases on the floor—The most compelling case wins. The affirmative does not carry a significant burden. Each debater is given two minutes to interpellate (cross-examine) the opposing debater. The judge is also allowed to ask one question of each debater. 3. There are three (3) arguments on both sides – Necessity, Beneficiality, Practicability. Each debater has four (4) minutes to deliver a constructive speech, rebut the speaker before him (except the First speaker of the Affirmative) and discuss his assigned argument. 4. The first speakers argue on the necessity (affirmative) or non-necessity (negative) of the motion. The second speakers on beneficiality and the third speakers on practicability (feasibility) of the motion. 5. The first affirmative speaker must make the affirmative’s case crystal clear. He must discuss the status quo (whether they seek to defend it or change it) and why their proposal is necessary. 6. The first negative speaker will be given two minutes to interpellate the first affirmative. He must only ask categorical questions (answerable by yes or no) and arrange these questions in a cross-examination style to establish the weakness of the affirmative’s case and/or establish the negative’s case. 7. He then has four minutes to clash with the points just made by the first affirmative and to advance his argument that the affirmative’s proposal is not necessary. 8. The first affirmative will then have two minutes to interpellate the first negative speaker (also asking only categorical questions). He may use this opportunity to rebuild his case and/or destroy the negative’s case.

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9. The second affirmative has four minutes to clash with the opposition case and to deliver his constructive speech on the benefits of adopting their proposal. He will then be interpellated by the second negative speaker for two minutes. 10. The second negative speaker then has four minutes of his time to divide between clashing with the affirmative case and delivering his constructive speech on the repercussions or harmful effects of adopting the affirmative’s proposal. He will then be interpellated by the second affirmative speaker for two minutes. 11. The third affirmative has four minutes to clash with the opposition case and to deliver his constructive speech on the feasibility of adopting their proposal. He will then be interpellated by the third negative speaker for two minutes. 12. The third negative speaker will then have two minutes of his time to clash with the affirmative case and to deliver his constructive speech on the impracticability of adopting the affirmative’s proposal. He will then be interpellated by the third affirmative speaker for two minutes.

JUDGES 1. There is one adjudicator per debate. 2. A judge is allowed to ask ONE categorical question (no follow-ups) of each debater, either during his speech or as he is being interpellated. The question and response must fall within the time limits of the speech delivery or interpellation period. COMPETITION COMMUNICATIONS 1. Only oral communications described in this Rules are permitted. In particular, no written communication or exhibits may be delivered by any Team Member to any judge. 2. Written communication during the debate round shall be limited to written communication among Team Members seated at the table. No other written communication may take place among the debaters, spectators or Team Members not present at the table. 3. During a debate round, debaters at the podium and those seated at the table may not operate laptop, cell phones, handheld or desktop computers or any other computing device for any purpose.

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MARKING OF DEBATERS

1. There are four evaluation criteria: Constructive Speech or Matter (40 points), Persuasive Skills or Manner (30 points), Interpellation (30 points). 2. The Matter mark is scored as if the speech was submitted in essay form. It has everything to do with logic, preparation, arguments, evidence cited, jurisprudence cited and analytic skill. It has nothing to do with the presentation. 3. Teams are required to conduct research and prepare their speeches. The formula is ARGUMENT + EVIDENCE = PROOF. An argument without citing an evidence to support the same is a mere assertion and does not merit any consideration. 4. As law students, the debaters are expected to use provisions of law and relevant jurisprudence in support of their arguments. Judges should also consider the quality of each argument and the relevance of the cited authorities. 5. MANNER: Manner or Presentation is marked out of a possible 30 points and judged from a purely public speaking perspective: How did the debater actually deliver the speech? Was the tone correct? The rate of speech? The pitch? The pauses? The eye contact? The confidence? Etc. 6. Clarity and organization. Judges should listen to the debate as an average reasonable person with an understanding of the law. The ability of the debater to convey his/her ideas in a clear manner and with facility of expression are to be considered. 7. The use of humor, the manner of delivery, eye contact, voice, posture, and the ability of the debater to convince an audience, are some of the elements within the purview of the Manner criterion. 8. INTERPELLATION: This refers to the ability to cross-examine the opposing debater. This refers to the success the debater has in clashing with the arguments of the opposing team. Has he thoroughly understood the presented arguments and have they responded effectively, logically and comprehensively in refutation. 9. This also includes courtesy and compliance with the rules. Judges should take note of how a debater asks his questions, the logical sequence of these questions, and their relevance. Debaters are advised to ask only categorical questions (i.e., those answerable by yes or no); otherwise broad questions (i.e., how or why questions) will elicit long explanations and sordid answers. Each debater is allowed two (2) minutes each to conduct his/her interpellation.

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