WHO WE ARE

Moot Court is a simulation of an argument in front of the United States Supreme Court. Over 100 schools and 500 two-student teams annually compete in a national-level tournament run by the American Moot Court Association (AMCA).

 

At the beginning of every school year, the AMCA releases a case problem that involves a fictitious client appealing the decision of a state Supreme Court or a Court of Appeals. Students will pair up to research and represent the two constitutional issues (each partner represents one) featured in the case problem. Constitutional issues can deal with gender equality, freedom of speech, due process, and more—nothing is off limits!

 

Students compete by defending either the client or the government through oral or written arguments at regional to national level competitions.

 

HOW THE COMPETITION WORKS

Competing differs depending on how you present your arguments. Oral advocacy and brief writing are considered two different competitions under the AMCA and thus have different rules and procedures despite having the same case problem.

 

If you're competing in the oral advocacy competition, you must be prepared to argue for both the client and the government's side. The oral advocacy competition features bracket-style regional tournaments across the United States. Therefore, in order to qualify for nationals, you and your partner must travel and face off against other pairs of students from competing schools until you're the last partnership standing in your regional tournament. At the beginning of your round, you flip a coin to decide which side you'll be arguing for. From there, you have twenty minutes to present your arguments and your rebuttal with your partner. You will be judged on a variety of facets, including speaking tone, quality of arguments, and research. This past year, DMC qualified 7/15 teams to nationals in oral advocacy.

 

If you're competing in the brief writing competition, you will research and compose a 10-page argument with a partner. Unlike oral advocacy, you only need to write for the side you choose to represent, and you and your partner will only compete against partnerships that chose your side. Furthermore, the brief writing competition features no regional tournaments. All brief writers will submit their texts to the national competition. Duke has placed in the top 10 each year since the inception of our brief writing team.

 

Regardless of what team you're on (and you have the option to join both), you need to read, write, practice, and prepare well in advance. Moot Court spans the fall semester, with regional tournaments beginning to take place in late October. This competition is designed to be friendly to newcomers, and DMC will be there to support all of our new members along the way!