This House Competes

Inner Temple Debating Society holds 3 competitions throughout the year exclusively for members of the Inner Temple. The Rawlinson Cup, the Public Speaking Competition and the Debating Shield.

The Rawlinson Cup is a prestigious competition where competitors compete as individuals. Each debate consists of 2 competitors for the proposition, and 2 competitors for the opposition. Speakers have 7 minutes to present their arguments, between minutes 1 and 6 they may be challenged with “Points of Information” from the other speakers. Their job is to respond to these points quickly and not allow this to disrupt their argument. The final of the Rawlinson Cup is a Qualifying Session, those attending to watch the debate will receive 1 Advocacy Qualifying Point, finalists are entitled to 2 Qualifying Points for Advocacy and Preparation.

The Debating Shield is a British Parliamentary-Style debating competition. Like the Rawlinson Cup, you will have 7 minutes to present your argument and will be challenged with point of information from speakers during minutes 1 and 6 of your speech.  You will be paired (or pair yourself) with another member of the Inn to compete against 4 other teams in ‘heats’ of the competition. The highest-scoring teams will progress to the Semi-Final and the highest scoring teams from the Semi-Final will progress to the Final. This year, the Final will take place at Bristol Magistrates’ Court.

The Public Speaking Competition is a multi-round competition where competitors are each given different motions to argue and then face off while presenting two entirely different arguments. The challenge is the ability to research and present arguments on your own topic, as well as engaging with and undermining your opponent’s (entirely different) topic. Whoever presents the most persuasive and well-prepared argument, which stands up to questions from Judges and from their competitor, will win. Competitors are provided with the topic 1 day in advance. The final of this topic traditionally takes place on circuit, at Manchester, University of Law.

There are countless opportunities to attend debating tournaments externally. We are happy to send you to any and all tournaments once you have attended your first practice session, because there is no better way to learn than by practicing! 

ITDS is currently the only Inn of Court Debating Society which sends it’s members to debates on the university circuit. In the academic year 2024-2025 we have sent debaters to Liverpool, Birmingham, King’s College London, Imperial, Cambridge and St Andrews. If you would like to get involved in British Parliamentary debating as a newcomer, or if you are a current university debater who would like to continue to debate past your degree and once you are studying the Bar course, Inner Temple Debating Society is the place for you! Please join our mailing list and follow our social media to remain up to date on the external competition we plan on entering.

If you have any questions, please email debating@innertemplesocieties.org.