Mastering Legal Writing in Vis Moot: Claimant and Respondent Memos
Learn the essential requirements for producing Claimant and Respondent Memos in the Vis Moot competition. Understand the strict deadlines, formatting guidelines, and the division of tasks within your team to ensure a successful submission. Draft your memos early, revise often, and collaborate effectively to optimize your team's performance.
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LEGAL WRITING IN THE VIS MOOT, PART I Producing the Claimant and Respondent Memos
Requirements of the Memo Paragraphs must be numbered. References to internal arguments or Claimant s arguments must refer to the paragraph number. Citations should be limited to those that advance the argument being made. List of Authorities must reference each paragraph in the memo where that authority is cited. Memo may be no longer than 35 pages. Table of Contents, List of Authorities, Indices, or Cover pages do not count towards this limit. Type must be no smaller than 12 point; 1 line spacing; 1 inch margins. Must be submitted in searchable PDF format.
Requirements of the Memo It is absolutely essential that the Respondent Memo be responsive to all of the arguments made in the Memo for Claimant. Claimant Memos are to be uploaded to the Vis Moot Website by midnight, VIENNA TIME, on December 10th. At that time, the names and email addresses of all team members must also be submitted. Registration fee is due by December 11th. Respondent Memos are due by midnight, VIENNA TIME, on January 19th. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO FLEXIBILITY ON THESE DEADLINES. IF YOU MISS THEM, YOU WILL NOT COMPETE.
Bad News: As the Coach, it is unquestionably your job to ensure that these requirements have been met. Your faculty advisor may help, but ultimately, you are responsible for ensuring that the memo is submitted on time, and the registration fee has been paid. Furthermore, it is your job to do a final read of the paper and ensure that the team has included all of the elements required by the rules of the Vis.
Good News: You don t have to write the memo!
Divide and Conquer After second or third read through, divide your team along substantive and procedural issues. Have team members focus on their issues, but ensure that they work collaboratively. Substantive and procedural arguments must harmonize with one another. Teams cover more ground when they share their findings with one another. Regular, frequent team meetings and work sessions ensure this practice.
Draft Early; Draft Often Require at least 2 drafts for revision prior to the final draft for submission. The more the team re-writes, the better. Weird fact: it is never good enough the first time. It s also not good enough the second time. You need at least three revisions before it is ready. You might need more. Schedule group reads of each draft. Team members should critique one another s writing and arguments and offer suggestions for improvement. Do not be afraid to demand a re-write if it is not good enough.
Manage Team Schedule The technical elements of the paper are the most time consuming and challenging. List of Authorities List of Abbreviations Table of Contents Citations Paragraph Numbers But, if not done correctly, your memo will be disqualified from consideration for honorable mention. Give your team 2-3 days prior to submission to finalize technical elements.
Checklist Cover page Table of Contents Index of Abbreviations List of Authorities List of Cases/Arbitral Awards Statement of Facts Summary of Argument Argument
Last, but not Least: SPELL CHECK.
