RULES

Each team designates one member to deliver the opening speech and the other, the closing speech.

The proposition begins the debate with their opening speech which is followed by the opposition's opening speech. The debate is concluded by the closing speech, first from the opposition and then the proposition.

The opposition raises the first point in the refutation round. The final 30 seconds of the refutation round are reserved for the concluding statement — a clear concise summary of the team's arguments.

No new points may be introduced in the closing speech. If a certain team does bring up a new point; the opposition may request the moderator an opportunity to point out the new points at the end of the closing speech which will lead to a negative marking.

Personal comments of any kind directed against the opposite team are strictly prohibited. Participants cannot comment on the opposite team's stance or statements made in previous competition debates.

Please note that only handwritten materials will be allowed during the debate. Printed material will not be permitted. All electronic devices are strictly prohibited during the debate.

Negative marking for exceeding time limit.

Participants will be judged on the following criteria: Analysis, confidence, engagement with opposition, organization of points, argumentation level and rapport established with partner.

Discrepancies of any sort during the debate will be resolved at the moderator's discretion. The decision will be final and binding.

Note: The topic for the first and second round of debate (League Round 1 and 2) will be given one week prior to the debate. In the next rounds (League Round 3), the topics will be given 30 minutes prior to the debate. For the quarters, semi-finals and the finals the topics will be given one hour prior.