The Advocacy Cup

A student mock trial event where an argument is built and defended

The Advocacy Cup is a student-run mock trial competition organized around trial advocacyL the practice of building a case, practicing, and defending it in front of real judges. Participants work around these four strategies: 1) Strategy - reading a set of facts and developing their argument 2) Evidence - Analyzing information and deciding how to use it efficiently and effectively 3) Communication - presenting the argument both clearly and persuasively 4) Advocacy - holding the argument strongly in a high-pressure environment and adjusting without losing it. In this competition, students are taught that advocacy is a skill that needs practice. They need to read the material, form their theory, form their case, and defend it under pressure. The cycle of read, think, argue, respond, advocate is the structure the competition is built around.