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  • This house prefers the use of jury trials over bench trials.

    Infoslide

    In criminal trials, a jury is a group of usually 12 ordinary citizens chosen at random to hear the evidence of the case given to the court, decide what facts of the case they believe, and deliver a verdict of the case (i.e. "guilty" or "not guilty"). Members of the jury are prohibited from discussing the case with anyone other than another member of the jury until the trial is complete. The decision of the jury must be unanimous or reach an acceptable majority. If the jury decides a "not guilty" verdict, the accused is let go; if the jury decides a "guilty" verdict, the accused is convicted of the crime and the judge proceeds to determine the criminal sentence. Although the judge cannot directly influence the jury, they typically brief members of the jury how to properly and fairly assess the evidence of the case. A criminal trial that includes a jury is called a jury trial. A criminal trial that does not have a jury is called a bench trial. In bench trials, only the judges themselves hear a case and decide the verdict.

    Singapore International Schools Debating Championships 2025 · Senior Quarterfinals · 2025-11-16

  • This house, as the journalist, W take the bribe.

    Infoslide

    You are a journalist living in a democratic state with endemic corruption covering the upcoming elections. A local politician that is known to engage in corrupt actions has approached you to bribe you to focus on his opponents instead of scrutinising his actions. Agreeing to this would ensure a steady source of future funding for your journalistic career.

    LUMS Asians x OPFDC 2025 · Round 1 · 2025-11-10

  • This house believes that that the SPSE does more harm than good

    Infoslide

    For the sake of this debate Somalian Piracy Stock Exchange (SPSE) refers to the informal fiancial system in which Somalian investors can fund pirate operations in exchange for part of the profits earned from ransoms. Similar to many other famous stock exchanges, SPSE lists a diverse selection of companies although all companies are related to illegal pirate operations in Somalia. Moreover, SPSE is accessible (physically but not online) to anyone willing to invest given that one has sufficient capital to do so. However, unlike other stock exchanges, SPSE allows investment via non-monetary means such as equipment like boats and guns. The monetary value of such equipment is negotiated based on supply and demand of the localized market in which the pirates operate in before being converted into 'stocks'.

    Erasmus Novice Cup · Golden Final · 2025-11-01

  • This house would take the offer

    Infoslide

    The year is 1716. You are a British sailor on a private merchant ship. Having left your recently wed wife in England, it is your first time at sea, and you have almost arrived to the Carribean port city. Suddenly a ship comes portside and they reveal themselves to be pirates. They board your ship, throw the captain and officers overboard, steal all the booty, and offer the rest of the crew to join them. Anyone who refuses, will be left to sail or swim to the port city.

    Erasmus Novice Cup · Round 3 · 2025-11-01

  • This House, as a begginer hero in high crime city, would choose to follow Batman's philosophy over Punisher's philosophy

    Infoslide

    When dealing with heinous crimes, Batman's philosophy is based on a moral code of not killing, believing that criminals, regardless of their crimes, should be judged by the law and given a second chance. The Punisher's beliefs revolve around a distrust of the justice system, believing it is corrupt and inefficient, and that the best moral way to deal with heinous crime is by eliminate those who perpetuate it.

    South Atlantic Debate Championship 2025 · Novice Final · 2025-11-01

  • This House Prefers a world where modern policing follows the “mercenary police model.”

    Infoslide

    Under the mercenary police model, local governments don't hire their own public police forces. Instead, they contract private security firms to perform police functions such as patrolling, investigation, and emergency response.

    Unity Cup 2025 · Round 2 · 2025-10-25

  • This house believes that Singapore should re-introduce the jury system for capital offences

    Infoslide

    For the purposes of this debate, the jury system refers to a sworn body of randomly selected adult citizens (jurors) in criminal courts who are convened to hear evidence, make findings of fact, and render an impartial verdict officially submitted to the court, or to set a penalty for the offender. The jury system was imported into Singapore under colonial rule. In 1960, Singapore restricted jury trial to capital offences (i.e., offences that are punishable by death), and abolished the system altogether in 1970.

    Institution of Business Administration Debating Championship 2025 · Round 4 · 2025-10-24

  • This house believes that it is in the interest of feminist movements in India to engage in vigilantism

    Infoslide

    Some feminist and grassroots groups in India have turned to vigilantism as a form of resistance and protection against sexual violence. One well-known example is the Gulabi Gang in Uttar Pradesh, whose members confront abusers, often with physical violence and public displays of anger.

    Davao Novice Cup 2025 · Round 2 · 2025-10-18

  • This House Would choose to not become a superhero and maintain a normal life

    Infoslide

    You are an average person who has just been bitten by a radioactive housefly. You have developed the ability to fly, super strength, shoot lasers out of your eyes and freeze breath.

    Oxford Schools 2025 · Novice Final · 2025-10-12