DICHOTOME – The Courtroom Debate

"Where arguments meet justice, and logic rules the hall."

Get ready for an intellectually charged face-off that tests your reasoning, rebuttal, and real-time thinking. Dichotome brings the courtroom to campus with a thrilling 3-round format — from closed chambers to full-on public prosecution.

Structure: 3 Rounds of Intensity

ROUND 1: Chamber Class – Behind-the-Scenes Face-off

• Two teams per house, each with 2 participants.
• Teams from the same house face off in a closed-room debate.
• Motion released 24 hours before the round.
• Each speaker gives a 2.5–3 minute speech (no rebuttals).
• One winning team per house proceeds to Round 2.

Judgement Criteria (out of 100)

• Clarity & Relevance – 30
• Argument Structure – 30
• Originality – 20
• Delivery – 20

ROUND 2: Forum Face-off – Speechesque Debate

• 1 qualifying team from each house (total 4) debates on stage in pairs.
• Each speaker: 3–4 minute constructive speech on shared motion.
• 1–2 rebuttal questions from each opposing team.
• Top 2 teams proceed to final round.

Judgement Criteria (out of 100)

• Clarity & Relevance – 30
• Argument Structure – 30
• Originality – 20
• Delivery – 20

ROUND 3: The Courtroom Showdown – Dramatic, Dynamic, Direct

• Finalist teams act as Prosecution and Defense.
• Structure:
• Opening Statements: 2 mins per speaker
• Argument Presentation: 3 mins per speaker
• Cross-Examination: 1 min per speaker
• Free Exchange & Objections: Moderated session
• Closing Statements: 1.5 mins per speaker
• Use of courtroom language, legal reasoning, and real-life references is encouraged.

Judgement Criteria (out of 100)

• Argument Depth – 20
• Courtroom Demeanor – 20
• Strategy and Tactics – 20
• Crossfire Skill – 20
• Team Coordination – 20

Awards

• Best Advocate (Speaker)
• Best Cross-Examiner
• Best Team (House)

General Rules

• Medium: English only.
• Maintain decorum and respect — undignified behavior leads to disqualification.
• Judges’ decisions are final and binding.

For Queries

• Vaibhav – 7986333190
• Khushbu – 9988680096