This information reflects the Society's web site at the date you downloaded or printed it and you should check at www.lawscot.org.uk to see if it is still current.

THE SOCIETY’S COMPETITION

The Society’s Competition is called the ‘Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament’ – the Law Society is not a political organisation, but this was a tribute to an individual, a parliamentarian and a solicitor who contributed greatly to Scotland and Scottish public life.

The competition has now been running for nine years and is open to all secondary schools in Scotland. In certain circumstances we’ll also accept teams from recognised organisations – such as Scouts or Guides – so long as a responsible adult is acting as coach.

We are supported in this work by our sponsors:

Simpson and Marwick, Solicitors

Hodder Gibson Publishers.

We also would like to thank:

  •  In relation to the 2005/2006 tournament, The Scottish Parliament and former Presiding Officer, George Reid,  for hosting the National Final, and for supporting the development of the DVD element of the learning materials. 
  • Our appreciation also goes to Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon  who has supported Scottish schools debating and helped over thirty schools have the opportunity to debate in the Parliament Chamber by being MSP sponsor of the event.  You can see the competing teams below joined on the right by Ruthven Gemmel (former President of the Law Society of Scotland) and on the left by George Reid (former Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament).

    photo of competing teams

  • in relation to the 2006/2007 tournament, the "A Union for a' that" schools education project, with whom the Society collaborated. Once again our thanks go to Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who sat on our judging panel, and the Rt Rev Sheilagh Kesting, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, who chaired the event.

The tournament usually starts around November with first rounds held throughout the country (competing teams have come from the Western Isles right down to the Borders). In 2006/2007 over 120 teams entered this stage of the competition – with 50% progressing to the next round. The first and second rounds take place locally, hosted by a school in the area, and within easy travelling distance.

The second round is usually held around the end of January start of February.

Regional finals come around the end of February or early March. These have a slightly different format. Unlike the earlier rounds the motion is not given out in advance but when teams arrive at the competition venue. They then have an hour to prepare – although the motion and judging take into account that this is an impromptu debate. Teams that have reached this stage have had enough practice in earlier rounds to be well prepared for this slightly different format.

The date of the final of the competition always varies depending on a variety of factors. However, the dates are always set taking account of key dates such as holidays and exam timetables. In 2005/2006 the debate was held in June in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament – a grand event to signify the achievement of the four teams that had beaten 148 others to get to that stage.  In 2006/2007 the final was held in the Church of Scotland Assembly Hall, Edinburgh - the culmination of the Society's involvement in the 1707 Project.

Our ‘Tournament Guidelines’ provide further information on everything you need to know, including:

  • Structure of the tournament and an individual heat
  • Timekeeping issues
  • The roles of speakers 
  • Offering and taking ‘Points of Information’ 
  • Judging Guidelines and Marking Standards 
  • Room layouts 
  • Guidance for hosts (including a ‘tick box’ check sheet of what to organise) 
  • Guidance for Chair persons