This is a three-round elimination competition in appellate advocacy. The first round occurs in the autumn term. In this round, each student briefs one issue of a two-issue case and argues both sides of that issue in two oral arguments before benches composed of lawyers and judges.
Some number of competitors advance to the spring semi-final round on the basis of brief and oral scores received from the fall benches. The top-scoring four students from the spring semi-final round argue in the final round before a bench of distinguished judges and a large audience. No new brief is required. Finalists may be assigned by the director to either side of either issue. A prize is awarded for the best oral argument in the Final Round as determined by the judges.
