The “WE THE STUDENTS” NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL MOOT COURT COMPETITION brings high school students, from the United States and abroad, together to showcase their oral advocacy skills. Students compete in moot appellate arguments that test their understanding of cutting edge legal questions. By focusing on the applicability of current legal issues to the high school setting, this competition provides students with a unique opportunity to strengthen their reasoning skills and increase their understanding of the Constitution and the judicial system. Hosted annually at American University’s Washington College of Law, this competition introduces competitors to 1st and 4th Amendment issues and other contemporary legal topics.All high school students are welcome to compete.

We encourage first time students and coaches to attend. No prior experience with moot court, mock, trial, debate, or any public speaking is necessary in order to successfully participate in the competition. Furthermore, teachers and coaches are not required to have previous moot court experience; we can provide material, including a lesson plan, for the first time coaches and teachers.

Learn more about Moot Court.

EARLY REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN UNTIL JANUARY 14, 2010

ONLINE REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON!! FOR EARLY REGISTRATION PLEASE E-MAIL MOOTCOURTHS@GMAIL.COM TO REQUEST AN EARLY REGISTRATION FORM.

Problem

The 2010 Problem will be released on January 15, 2010.

Bylaws

The 2010 Bylaws will be released by January 15, 2010.

Registration

EARLY REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN UNTIL JANUARY 14, 2010

ONLINE REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON!! FOR EARLY REGISTRATION PLEASE E-MAIL MOOTCOURTHS@GMAIL.COM TO REQUEST AN EARLY REGISTRATION FORM.

Early Registration: November 1, 2009 - January 14, 2010

Early registration will be held from November 1, 2009 to January 14, 2010.We will waive the competitor fee for the first two competitors that register with a school during this time. Schools will only be required to register and pay the school registration fee during early registration; competitor registration fees will not be due until January 15, 2010. The problem will be released to schools upon receipt of payment of competitor fees.

Regular Registration: January 15, 2010 - March 1, 2010

Regular registration will begin when the problem is released on January 15, 2010. At this time, once a school registers and pays the registration fees (both competitor and school), it will receive the problem and all appropriate materials to begin preparing for the competition.Regular registration will remain open until March 1, 2010.

We ask that you provide us with the names and information for each competitor as soon as possible. Competitors can be added or changed up until March 1, 2010, at which point registration will close.

Fees

There are two fees for this competition: the school registration fee and a competitor fee.

School Registration Fee: $30 per school, which includes up to two coaches per school.

Competitor Fee: $15 per competitor, this includes breakfast and lunch for Saturday and Sunday, and the Banquet Dinner.

The competitor fees cover breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday and the Banquet Dinner on Saturday for coaches (limit 2) and competitors. If any guests are traveling with the team and would like to eat with the team an extra fee will apply. Please contact the Competition Directros to make the proper arrangements.

Competition Logistics

The competition will consist of three to four preliminary rounds held all day on Saturday, March 27, 2010. The scores competitors receive in those rounds will determine which competitors advance to the next round. Following the completion of the preliminary rounds we will host a banquet, where we will announce the winners of awards and announce the competitors who will advance to the final day of the competition. Some awards will be given on the basis of the scores of the preliminary round such as Best Team, Most Improved Petitioner and Respondent, Best Oralist, etc.

We plan for the quarterfinal, semifinal, and final rounds will be held on Sunday, March 28 at a courthouse in Washington, DC. The final round will consist of four competitors, two respondents and two petitioners.The final round will conclude by 5:00 p.m.

In addition to the competition rounds, we will also host several activities for competitors and coaches, including information sessions and panel discussions, as well as a college fair for competitors.

Travel and Hotel Arrangements

You are responsible for your own travel and hotel arrangements and costs.Please see http://www.wcl.american.edu/admiss/2007visitorsguide.pdf for more information about accommodations near the law school.

ARRIVAL: You should plan to arrive, if possible, Friday, March 26, 2010, for an evening meeting at the competition site and registration.The competition will start early Saturday morning, so if you cannot attend this meeting on Friday, please be advised that you will be required to attend an information meeting and registration on Saturday as early as 8:00 p.m.We encourage you to contact us as you plan your trip to ensure that arrival and departure times will coincide correctly with the competition.

DEPARTURE: The final round will conclude by 5:00 p.m. Make your travel arrangement around this schedule to avoid conflicts with the final round. Please be advised that it may take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour to get to the airport depending on which airport you choose to travel through.

GROUP HOTEL RATES: Every year we form a partnership with one or more hotels to provide a discounted rate. More information about this option will be available soon. If you are interested please contact us and we will be more than happy to discuss those arrangements with you.

Contact Information

If you have questions or would like further information regarding this competition and how to register, please e-mail the Competition Directors Anna Bercaw and Joe Schlingbaum at mootcourths@gmail.com or call us at (202) 274-4401.

Previous Competition Information

2009 "We The Students" Competition (Final Round Video Available)

2008 "We The Students" Competition