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​Competition Rules and Forms

This page contains all of the official rules and forms that govern the American Mock Trial Association competitions.  Each of the documents will be updated on this site as new versions are created and approved for use by the AMTA Board of Directors.  Please check back regularly to ensure that you have the most updated version of these documents.

Competition Rules

Rulebook - last updated ​​September 2024

  • The Rulebook contains all rules and policies that govern AMTA competitions, the competition structure, board membership, sanction policies, and membership requirements among other things.  The Rulebook is traditionally updated semi-annually following the AMTA Board of Directors Meeting (July) and the AMTA Mid-Year Meeting (December).  If you have any questions about the rules that govern AMTA competitions, please contact Elizabeth Smiley, AMTA Rules Committee Chairperson.

Tabulation Manual - last updated ​​July 2022

  • The Tabulation Manual contains all procedures for scoring and pairing AMTA competitions.  The Tabulation Manual is used by AMTA Representatives at each AMTA-sanctioned tournament to determine the pairings for each round of competition.  The Tabulation Manual also contains procedures to determine the winners of AMTA-sanctioned competitions, including tie-breaking procedures.  The Tabulation Manual is traditionally updated semi-annually following the AMTA Board of Directors Meeting (July) and the AMTA Mid-Year Meeting (November).  If you have any questions regarding tabulation procedures or the Tabulation Manual, please contact Diane Michalak, AMTA Tabulation Director.

Midlands Rules of Evidence - last updated ​September 2021

  • This document contains the version of the Rules of Evidence that are used in AMTA competitions.  While these rules are based off of the Federal Rules of Evidence, they are tailored to meet the needs of an AMTA competition.

Competition Forms

Judge Presentation

  • This is the presentation used to orient judges in the Judges' Meetings at AMTA-sanctioned competitions.  The PowerPoint is used in each Judges' Meeting before each round of AMTA-sanctioned competitions.  Any questions regarding the AMTA's judging documents should be directed to Elizabeth Smiley, AMTA Rules Committee Chairperson.

Competition Integrity Committee (CIC) Opinions and Forms

  • CIC Advisory Opinion Request Form
    • The Competition Integrity Committee invites programs to submit questions about the permissibility of certain testimony or demonstrative aids in regards to Shahid v. Hopson. Only the primary contact person, coach, or captain of a properly registered program may submit questions. This form will remain open through the Fall. Please return to this page in December and January to ensure any request for an advisory opinion from the CIC is made prior to any deadlines before Regionals.
  • 2024-2025 CIC Advisory Opinions - Will be linked here later this Fall
  • 2024 Notice of CIC Regionals Penalties
    • The CIC has released public notices of all penalties and warnings issued for the 2024 regional tournaments.
  • CIC Post-Tournament Review
    • Forms for CIC Post-Tournament review will be posted on this page before Regionals begin in 2025.
  • For more information on what is appropriate to submit to the CIC, please contact the CIC Chairperson.

Timekeeper Sheet (Online Version)
Timekeeper Sheet (In-person Version)

  • This document is the timekeeper sheet that is used at an AMTA-sanctioned competitions.  Per AMTA Rules, each team is required to provide their own timekeeper at an AMTA-sanctioned competition and should use the Timekeeper Sheet to track the time for each round of competition.

Captains Meeting Forms

  • As permitted by the Midlands Rules of Evidence, this PDF contains the Captains' Meeting Form and Gender Pronouns Form that are to be used in AMTA-sanctioned competitions.

Spirit of AMTA Form

  • This document is the Spirit of AMTA form that is to be used to determine the winner of the Spirit of AMTA award at each AMTA-sanctioned competition.