Legal Debates ICM Sarajevo Raise your hands how many have organised a legal debate? Raise your hands how many are planning to organise one?

Critical thinking Analytic skills Public skills

Interactive Comparatively little preparation time Flexible

Briding theory and practice Moot court competitions Legal debates

So what is it?

No-one knows There are a lot of different debate formats in the world, all of them have a different set of rules, however the main goal behind them is to grant an equal opportunity for both teams, to present their case.

A definition by the Estonian Debating Society Debate is a formal contest of argumentation according to specific rules. Motion that is debated has been provided and the sides are drawn. Debate ends with a decision made by an impartial judge.

Structure British Parliamentary 15 min preparation 5-7 min speeches II government teams II opposition teams Points of Information

Structure American Parliamentary 15 min preparation 7, 8, 8, 8, 4, 5 min speeches I goverment team I opposition team Points of Information

Types of motions This house believes THBT every criminal defendant should be required to use a government provided defense lawyer

Types of motions This house would In cases of persistent tax evasion, THW revoke an individuals right to vote THW make bosses criminally liable for the corruption of their subordinates

Types of motions Policy Vs Values The beauty of debating: emphasis on analysing 1) what is the impact of the policies we have; 2) why do we have some values

The key to debating? What? Why?

With whom to coperate?

Your time to shine

Volunteers for: 3 judges 2 speakers for speeches of 3 minutes