Moot Court Outline

General Outline of a Moot Court Argument unveiling May it please the court, my name is _____ and I represent the Petitioner/ answering __(name)___. REBUTTAL REQUEST & PROCEDURAL BLURB (for Petitioner ONLY) With the courts permission, I would exchangeable to reserve 2 minutes for rebuttal. Thank you. This case is on appeal from the District/Circuit Court (name of court). The District/Circuit Court denied Petitioners request for _____, holding _____. ROADMAP Your honors, _______ is a violation of international law and we ask that you ________ for (the following) two/three reasons 1.First, substantive legal argument strongest point 2. Second substantive legal argument 3. And Third, as a matter of public policy OR as public policy dictates, policy argument ARGUMENT 1. With respect to the first point your honors . . . OR First, . . . CONCLUSION Since first point, second point, and deuce-ace point, Petitioner/Respondent respectfully requests that this Court finds ____ a violation of in ternational law. Thank you. REBUTTAL (for Petitioner ONLY) Respondent made one/two point(s) that I would like to address. (First) Respondent declared that . . However, . . . OR Respondent contends that _____. However, . . . MISCELLANEOUS SUGGESTIONS For Rebuttal o Attack misstatements and glossed-over weaknesses. o Address concerns of the court. o One to two points most important point first. If you on the face of it and/or materially misspeak, say rather, ____ OR pardon me your honors, what I mean to say is ____ and correct yourself. If you are really hard-pressed for a transition, say, which brings me to my second/third point and find a way to fit what you were talking about into that point. If you are going to quote a case, drop the case language lineal into your outline and KNOW the pin cite. If you arent sure what the judge is asking, seek clarification. o This can also be used as a stall tactic if you are unsure how to answer the question. o Say something like, Your hon or, I want to make certain I understand your question, would you mind regarding-phrasing? DONT o Say, I dont know in response to a question. ? If you dont know the answer, say something more like, Your honor, I am unable to fully answer your question at this time.However, I would be more than happy to submit a supplemental brief on the curve/matter/case. o Smile or laugh or otherwise lose composure during argument (unless the judges are smiling and laughing and you bump it would be inappropriate to NOT smile and laugh). o Take a pen up to the podium. DO o Outline your argument ? Try to shorten your argument to 2-3 pages. ? Use headings and sub-heading. Bold, capitalize, etc. for ease of reference. ? Use a manila folder to organize your arguments. Take nothing but that manila folder up to the podium. Listen carefully to opposing counsels arguments and the judges questions. ? Take verbatim notes of both. Quote and/or directly address if appropriate. o Know, in plead of the ar gument, which points you are willing to concede (if any). o Preface your answers with the following ? Yes your honor, however . . . ? No your honor. Be cautious using this one it can appear less-than deferential. ? I (respectfully) disagree with your honors characterization/construction of . . . o Have your introduction, procedural blurb, roadmap, and conclusion memorized.