The 11th Annual National Law School Debate 2013 will follow the 3-on-3 Asian

parliamentary style of debating governed by the following rules, regulations, and

guidelines.


1.1 Each debating match will consist of two teams; one to propose the motion and one
to oppose it. The team proposing may be known as The Proposition, The
Affirmative or The Government. The team opposing may be known as The
Opposition or The Negative. Teams will be designated as the Proposition or the
Opposition for each round of the competition.
1.2 Each debate shall be adjudicated upon by a panel comprising of an odd number of
adjudicators. One of these shall be designated as Chairperson. In situations as per
the discretion of the adjudication core (only in rounds before the Break), a debate
may be adjudicated by a single experienced adjudicator.
1.3 Each debate shall be timed by a timekeeper. In the absence of a timekeeper, a
member of the adjudication panel will time the speeches.
1.4 Teams will comprise the following members.
1.4.1 AFFIRMATIVE
a) Prime Minister, or First Affirmative.
b) Deputy Prime Minister, or Second Affirmative.
c) Government Whip, or Third Affirmative

The
XI
NLS
Debate
March 29
th
-
2
nd
April
2013
National Law School of India University | Bangalore

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1.4.2 NEGATIVE
a) Leader of the Opposition, or First Negative.
b) Deputy Leader of the Opposition, or Second Negative.
c) Opposition Whip, or Third Negative
1.5 Debaters will speak in the following order:
i) Prime Minister, or 1
st
Affirmative.
ii) Leader of Opposition, or 1
st
Negative.
iii) Deputy Prime Minister, or 2
nd
Affirmative.
iv) Deputy Leader of Opposition, or 2
nd
Negative.
v) Government Whip, or 3
rd
Affirmative.
vi) Opposition Whip, or 3
rd
Negative.
vii) Opposition Reply Speech, to be given by either the 1
st
or 2
nd
Negative
speaker.
viii) Government Reply Speech, to be given by either the 1
st
or 2
nd
Affirmative
speaker.
1.6 Speakers not holding the floor may not rise during a speech unless it is to offer a
Point of Information (see Part Five of this document). Speakers doing so, or considered
to be heckling, barracking or whose behaviour is interfering with the acceptable course
of a debate will be declared out of order or will be called to order by the Chairperson.


2.1 The motions for each round will reflect a specific and well-known theme, and each
round of the competition will comprise of three choices of motions.
2.2 On release of the motions, both teams to a match-up rank their preferred motions.
The third option of both teams is immediately dropped. If there remains a clear
favourite, that motion is directly selected.

In case of an undecided tie between the two remaining motions, the motion for that
round and match-up will be decided on the basis of toss of coin. It is the responsibility of
the timekeeper to oversee the choice and selection of the motion.


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3.1 Match-ups and venues will be announced before motions are revealed.
3.2 Once the motions are released, teams must immediately rank their motions, select
the motion in the presence of the runner and/or the adjudicators of that round and
proceed to their venues, where the motion is decided upon. From the time of release of
the motions, teams have 30 minutes preparation time until the commencement of the
debate in that round.
3.3 The Affirmative have the right to prepare in chambers (venue).
3.4 Printed and prepared materials may be used during the preparation period. No
access to electronic media or electronic storage or retrieval devices is permitted after
motions have been released. This includes but is not limited to, all kinds of computers,
electronic data banks, cellular phones, etc. Printed and prepared materials may be
accessed during a debate, but may not be used by a speaker holding the floor.
3.5 Teams must prepare on their own. Once motions have been released, there must be
no contact between debaters in a particular team and coaches, trainers, friends,
observers or any other individual for the purposes of assistance in the context of the
debate. Such contact and assistance is deemed as cheating and will be punished strictly.
3.6 Teams failing to arrive in time for the debate will forfeit that particular round.


4.1 It is the duty of the timekeeper, or of a panel member or Chair (in absence of a
timekeeper), to time all the speeches in each round.
4.2 The timing of each speech starts at the moment that the member begins speaking.
4.3 Times for speeches:
Substantive Speeches: 6 + 1 minutes.
Reply Speeches: 3+1 minutes in all rounds.
4.4 Time signals will be given in the following manner,
End of first minute - single knock of the gavel.
End of sixth minute - single knock of the gavel.
End of seventh minute - double knock of the gavel.

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Reply Speeches:
End of third minute- single knock of the gavel.
End of Fourth minute- Double knock of the gavel.

4.5 Once the double knock of the gavel has sounded, speakers have a 20-second grace
period, during which they should conclude their speech. After this grace period has
elapsed, there will be a continuous knocking of the gavel, and adjudicators must
disregard the rest of that particular speech. Speakers continuing after the grace period
can also be penalized by the adjudicators in the Method category.
4.6 If the speaker concludes his/her speech before the second single knock of the gavel,
he or she should be penalized under Method and possibly also under Matter. The latter,
assuming that less matter was advanced, or that it was clearly underdeveloped. (See
parts 10, 11, and 12 of this document for more on Matter, Manner, and Method)


5.1 Points of Information (POIs) may be offered during the six substantive speeches
only, after the first single knock of the gavel and up to the second single knock of the
gavel. Points of Information may not be offered during the first and last minutes of
substantive speeches. If a Point of Information is offered in the first or the last minute of
a constructive speech, it is the duty of the speaker holding the floor to reject the same as
being out of order. Only if the speaker holding the floor fails to do the same, the chair of
the adjudicator panel may very briefly intervene and call the house to order.
5.2 A POI must be indicated by a member of an opposing team rising from his/her seat.
A member offering a Point of Information may draw attention to the offer by saying on
that point Sir/Madam, or a short word calling attention to the member of the opposing
team raising the point of information. If entire questions are posed in the tag this can be
marked down under method.
5.3 A member holding the floor must respond to an opposing member, or members
offering POIs, in one of the following ways.



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5.3.1 A clear gesture or hand signal rejecting the offer.
5.3.2 A verbal rejection of the offer, or
5.3.3 A verbal acceptance of the offer.

5.4 If a POI is accepted, the point should be phrased as a question, or clarification, or
comment, and ideally made in no more than 15 seconds. Points of Information should be
such that they allow the member holding the floor some chance of responding.
5.5 After a POI has been offered, no further clarifications may be sought either by the
speaker holding the floor or by the member offering the Point of Information, except
strictly in situations where the Point of Information is clearly inaudible, and therefore a
repetition of the same is necessitated.
5.6 Points of Information are marked for their strategic use under Method, and for their
content under Matter. Unwarranted use of points of information can be marked down
under Manner. (See parts 10, 11, and 12 of this document for more on Matter, Manner,
and Method).


6.1 The definition is the interpretation of the motion as put forward by the Prime
Minister, or First Affirmative, in his opening remarks. The onus for establishing how the
definition ties in with the given motion lies completely upon the Prime Minister. All
subsequent speakers have a purely clarifying role (if any) in this regard.
6.2 The definition should be reasonable.
6.3 The definition should state the issue or issues arising out of the motion to be
debated, state the meanings of any terms in the motion requiring clarification and
display clear and logical links to the wording and spirit of the motion.
6.4 The definition should not be:
6.4.1 A truism (a matter stated as fact).
6.4.2 A tautology (a definition which, in development, proves itself).
6.4.3 Place set (setting an unnaturally restrictive geographical or spatial location
as its major parameter).


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6.4.4 Time set (setting an unnaturally restrictive chronological duration as its
main parameter).
6.4.5 Wholly unreasonable (displaying no clear or logical links to the motion).
This is referred to as squirreling. As mentioned earlier squirreling essentially
implies that a denition has been proposed which is clearly not in keeping with
the spirit of the motion.
6.5 The Negative may only challenge the definition advanced by the Affirmative on the
basis of one of the above-mentioned conditions, and must clearly state which individual
condition based upon which it is challenging the definition.

The Negative may not challenge a definition supplied by the Affirmative on the basis
that:
6.5.1 The definition does not adhere to the theme provided for the round
6.5.2Its own definition is MORE reasonable.
6.5.3A better debate will result. Nor may the Negative re-define terms or words
contained in the motion so that a completely different debate is thereby set up.
However, a Negative may contend with the specific or general approach to
terminology supplied by the definition of the Affirmative.


7.1 The definitional challenge must be made in the speech of the Leader of the
Opposition, following a clear statement that the definition is being rejected. The onus for
establishing the definitional challenge lies completely upon the Leader of the
Opposition. Subsequent speakers are strictly permitted a purely clarificatory role (if
any) in this regard.
7.2 In the event of a challenge, the Leader of the Opposition must justify his/her
rejection by supplying the grounds on which the original definition has been rejected.
Furthermore, a substitute definition must be supplied, which the Opposition benches
must then go on to negate. The opposition is also expected to, in the case of the
definition being a squirrel, place or time set to submit some arguments to negate the


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definition proposed by the government, in the sense of an even if, i.e. that even if the
challenge doesnt stand, these arguments would negate the governments case.
7.3 If the Leader of the Opposition does not challenge the definition, no other speaker
may do so.
7.4 The onus to prove that a definition is unreasonable is on the Opposition, and should
not be presumed by the adjudicators.
7.5 Adjudicators should not indicate during the debate whether the definitional
challenge has succeeded. They cannot indicate which definition they find to be (more)
acceptable. The final decision as to whether a definitional challenge has succeeded must
take into consideration all 8 speeches in any debate, subject to conformity with 7.1 and
8.1.
7.6 Neither team should abandon either the definitions or the challenges of its opening
speakers.
7.7 Definitions should not require members of the house to have access to, or possess,
specific or expert knowledge.
7.8 If a definitional challenge is upheld, the team making the challenge does not
necessarily win by the largest possible margin. If the definitional challenge fails, then the
team making such a challenge does not necessarily lose by the largest possible margin.
Adjudicators are expected to make a holistic decision about the debate on the
parameters including the success or failure of the challenge, as well as how well both
teams defend their definitions and fulfil their rule in proposing and opposing the
definitions they have assumed. A definitional challenge should take place in the rarest of
rare cases.

8.1 Matter relates to the issues in debate, the case being presented and the material
used to substantiate argumentation.
8.2 The issues under debate should be correctly prioritized (by teams) and ordered (by
individuals), dealing with the most important/pertinent first. This guideline may be
departed from, in order to preserve logical continuity and coherence.

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8.3 Matter should be logical and well reasoned.
8.4 Matter should be relevant, both to the issue in contention and the cases being
advanced.
8.5 Matter should be persuasive.
8.6 Matter will be assessed from the viewpoint of the average reasonable person.
Adjudicators must disregard any specialist knowledge they have, even though pertinent
to the issues under debate.
8.7 Bias will not affect an adjudicators assessment (objective) or evaluation (subjective)
of a debate. Debaters must not be discriminated against on the basis of religion, sex,
race, nationality, sexual preference, age, social status, accent or any disability.
8.8 A debater should ideally take at least two points of information during a speech.
8.9 The Opposition Whip may not introduce any new matter in to the debate. Similarly,
no new matter may be introduced in both Reply speeches.


9.1 Manner refers to the presentation and delivery style of a speaker.
9.2 The following list represents some of the elements which are, or may be, subsumed
under Manner. The list is intended as a guide, rather than as a number of marking
categories. It is the combination of these elements (rather than the accomplishment of
each), in various proportions that contributes to an individual speakers style. The major
influence on an adjudicator must be: Is the speakers manner EFFECTIVE in advancing
the case?
9.2.1 a) Vocal Style : Volume, clarity, pronunciation, pace, intonation, fluency,
confidence, and authority.
b) Language: Conversational.
c) Use of notes: Should not distract, should not be read.
d) Eye Contact: With audience.
e) Gesture: Natural, appropriate.
f) Stance

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g) Dress: (only an issue if really inappropriate to the place or occasion).
h) Sincerity: Believability
i) Personal Attacks:
j) Humour: Effectiveness of and appropriateness.

9.3 Debater and adjudicators in the competition must be aware that they will experience
many different debating styles different colleges and countries. There is no single
correct or right style to adopt in this competition. Nor should a speakers style be
dismissed as inappropriate in the national or regional context of the adjudicators or
debaters who witness it.
9.4 As with Matter, personal bias must not be allowed to influence an adjudicators
assessment of Manner.


10.1 There are three major elements in the context of Method. These are:
10.1.1 Individual Method.
10.1.2 Team Method.
10.1.3 Overall response to the dynamics of the debate.

10.2 Individual Method pertains to the structure and organization of an individual
speech. This may be evident in a reasonably clear outline of the responsibilities of the
speaker and the order of the issues to be dealt with in his/her speech. It may also be
apparent in the degree of fluency with which a speech moves from one point to another
in a clearly logical sequence. Similarly, a speaker may signpost his/her transitions from
one phase to another.
10.3 Individual Method pertains to the balance of a speech. Whereby, an equable
division of speaking time is made to allow each of the phases of the speech a reasonable
time for development (opening remarks, rebuttal, own points, summary, etc).
10.4 Individual Method pertains to good time management and good time keeping.


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10.5 Team Method pertains to the effectiveness of the teams case organization and
structure as a whole.
10.6 Team Method pertains to the equable division of roles (speakers) and
responsibilities during a debate and the effective discharge of those roles and
responsibilities.
10.7 Response to the dynamics of the debate pertains to the reactive abilities of
speakers and teams to the ongoing strategies being employed by both sides, and the
shifts in the balance of power from one side to another.
10.8 Teams and speakers should respond to clear strategic issues, not minor slips of the
tongue or insignificant points.
10.9 Dynamic response could also be reflected in Matter marks for a speaker in cases
where the identification of a vital point, the cogent analysis of this point in the context of
the debate, and a balanced attack on the same, is developed in an ensuing speech.
10.10 Team members may keep time and signal members holding the floor. Time
signals may not be spoken aloud. Speakers may also keep their own time.


11.1 At the end of every debate, each adjudicator must complete their adjudication
forms.
11.2 There are no draws in competitive debating.
11.3 Teams failing to turn up for the debate on time, and with no valid reason, will lose
the debate by the widest possible margin. The other team will then face-off against a
stand-by swing team [non-competitive for the purposes of the competition] constituted
by the host University. Failure to turn up for two rounds in the preliminary phase will
result in automatic disqualification from the tournament
11.4 For constructive speeches, marks shall be awarded to speakers based on the
following
11.4.1 An average speech shall be awarded
Matter: 30/40
Manner: 30/40

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Method: 15/20
Total: 75/100
11.4.2 A speaker may not under any circumstance be awarded less than 28/40
in Matter and Manner, and less than 13/20 in Method. Therefore, the worst
speech in the history of debating would still get 69/100
11.4.3 A speaker may not under any circumstance be awarded more than 32/40
in Matter and Manner, and more than 17/20 in Method. Therefore, the best
speech in the history of the world would get no more than 81/100.
11.5 For reply speeches, marks shall be awarded to speakers based on the following.
11.5.1 An average reply speech shall be awarded as a normal substantive
speech and then the marks will be halved. Thus, an average speech shall 37.5/50
(75/100)
11.5.2 A speaker may not under any circumstance be awarded less than 34.5/50
(69/100)
11.4.3 A speaker may not under any circumstance be awarded more than
40.5/50 (81/100)
11.6 The average mark for an average team is therefore: 75+75+75+37.5 = 262.5/350
11.7 The lowest possible score is therefore: 69+ 69+69+34.5 = 241.5/350
11.8 The highest possible score is therefore: 81+ 81+81+40 = 283.5/350


12.1 Adjudicators must determine, at the conclusion of a debate whether the overall
margin of win/loss separating the teams was (independently of speaker scores) close,
clear or a thrashing margin on a scale of 1 to 12.
12.1.1 Close win = 1 to 4 points.
12.1.2 Clear win = 4 to 8 points.
12.1.3 Thrashing = 8 to 12 points.
12.2 Win/Loss Margins lower than 1 and higher than 12 are not permitted on any count.
12.3 The difference between the cumulative speaker scores of the two teams in the
match need not be the same as the win loss margin
12.4 However, the team which wins the debate must have a higher cumulative score.