Our FAQ

A Team can be composed of up to 6 (six) members. As such, all team members can plead during the SAM General Rounds, more specifically two team members per given round. Teams are most welcome to alternate speakers in between rounds i.e. A given member may plead during one round while not pleading during the second etc.

Yes. It is highly recommended that Teams apply for a visa as early as possible. The location of the SAM Elimination Rounds may vary from one edition to another. As such, the SAM Organization can provide an invitation letter to individuals who require so in order to support their application. That being said, the SAM Organization cannot otherwise interfere with the process of visa procurement.

In light of the configuration of the Competition, a Team may be composed of a minimum of 2 (two) members, without exceeding 6 (six) members in total (excluding the coach(es)).

Yes. The SAM Organization strives to give the opportunity to all students worldwide to practise their advocacy skills. As such, Teams can apply for a registration fee waiver before the deadline for registration passes. To be considered for a fee waiver, any given team must submit evidence of low means that prevent them from paying the applicable price. Each application will be examined on a case-by-case basis.

After the SAM General Rounds, an application form for financial assistance may be circulated by the SAM Organization. Depending on the funds available, it may provide partial financial assistance limited to travel and/or accommodation expenses (in the form of reimbursements). Any concerned Team should provide such application form with all supporting documents within the established time limit. The SAM Organization is not bound to allocate funds to a Team if an application is submitted. Concurrently, the SAM Organization may refuse the reimbursement failing to comply with the applicable deadlines.

The Sports Arbitration Moot aims to create a level playing field for all students. Therefore, a Coach should merely assist Teams in preparation for the SAM General Rounds i.e. guidance with legal research and/or advocacy in general. A Coach should not substitute for the team members during the preparation or during rounds.

No. Many Teams each year qualify for the SAM Elimination Rounds without a coach or any external help. Therefore, we encourage each Team to engage fully in the competition as the absence of a Coach does not constitute any disadvantage.

Of course.

The SAM Camp is a week-long crash course which aims to introduce students to sports arbitration and advocacy in preparation for the SAM General Rounds. The SAM Camp lectures focus on 4 (four) core aspects, with additional special lectures occurring on occasion: Legal Research, Oral Advocacy, Merits issues and Jurisdictional issues.

No. The SAM Camp is reserved to participating teams of a given edition and is included in the registration fees paid by the applicable deadline.

The SAM Organization strives to the extent possible to accommodate students’ academic schedules and diverse time zones. Please do not worry as each lecture will be recorded and provided to you shortly after its occurrence.

Yes. Although this is allowed, not all Team members are given the opportunity to plead and are therefore not “graded” by the SAM Arbitrators. As such, the SAM Organization will only share the Teams ranking in an effort to value collective achievements rather than individual performances.

Yes. This means that in making their oral pleadings in the General Rounds, the Appellant and Respondent should not invoke Legal Authorities that are not on their lists, except if prompted to by the Panel or in their rebuttal. Should you depart from your List of Legal Authorities, the Panel may pick this up and it may prompt you to support your argument with relevant authorities. Likewise, you should not depart from your Skeleton of Arguments. However, as you progress to the next rounds you may of course develop new arguments which can be relevant. If this is done without supportive authority, this may again be picked up by the Panel. Whether or not the weaknesses of your legal submissions should impact your scoring is at the discretion of the Panel. Should you qualify for the SAM Elimination Rounds, you will have the opportunity to amend your List of Legal Authorities and Skeleton of Arguments which can then include the missing and new authorities and/or arguments.

Yes. Mindful that further ideas may emerge after the General Rounds, Teams can provide amendments to their legal submissions (i.e. Skeleton of Argument and List of Authorities) during a specific time period set by the SAM Organization after the General Rounds.

No. As per the SAM Rules Teams may agree on rebuttal and surrebuttal. These shall not exceed 1 minute each unless the Parties otherwise agree. In other words, such rebuttal times should be added to the overall hearing duration (which should not exceed 60 minutes).

No. Legal submissions, especially the List of Authorities will be checked. Teams should limit themselves to specific sections relevant to support their argument. Should we flag a full extract, its withdrawal will immediately be requested. Should the Team not proceed to remove the full extract in delay, it will ultimately be removed by the SAM Organization, preventing said Team to rely on it during the SAM General or Elimination Rounds.

Generally, oralists address the Arbitral Tribunal by saying “Madam President/Arbitrator,”, “Mister President/Arbitrator”. Honorific titles such as “Respected Authorities” or “Your Honour” should be avoided. Counterparts may refer to each other by saying, for example, “Counsel for Appellant” or “Counsel for Respondent”

Yes. Each SAM Arbitrator will have his/her own style of managing a hearing. As such, some may interrupt with questions that should be addressed and count towards pleading time. By contrast, some may prefer to ask questions at the end of an oralist’s argument. In any event, there will be a total of 40 minutes per oral round, which arbitrators can decide, at their discretion, to extend up to 60 minutes for questioning, bearing in mind the principle of equality between the Parties.

No, except with the express approval of all the parties in attendance.

No. The SAM Organization decided not to publicly share the individual scores of every member of each team, as we believe that it will not benefit the ensemble of the participants. Many teams were composed of students that did not get the chance to act as oralists, and thus were not "graded" by the arbitrators and would not appear in the ranking. We also believe that such a ranking will inevitably cause them to shift the focus from the team effort to their individual performance, and this does not reflect the spirit of the competition. After the SAM General Rounds, all participating teams will receive the ranking which determines the Best 16 Teams qualified for the SAM Elimination Rounds. At the end of the Competition, teams scores will be circulated electronically i.e. the overall score of each team during the SAM General Rounds.

No. Despite the SAM General Rounds being held online, Teams should beware that reading through a screen can be visible and impact scoring. During the SAM Elimination Rounds, no electronics should be used, except to keep track of time. It is highly recommended that Teams print hard copies of any relevant document before an in-person hearing.

Any law student in the world can participate in the SAM! Please refer to our Rules for further information regarding eligibility.