The 2027 James J. Hippard Novice Mock Trial Competition will be held in person on March 5th – 7th.

DATES FOR THE 2027 JAMES J. HIPPARD NOVICE MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION
Learning Session: TBD
Registration: February 12th at 9AM ~ February 14th at 11:59PM
Fact Pattern Released: February 16th

Prepare Your Case: February 16th ~ March 5th

Skills Workshop: TBD
Competition: Friday, March 5th to Sunday, March 7th

Turn in Assignment: March 14th.

Tentative Competition Schedule
Friday, March 5th, Rounds at 1 PM & 6 PM [ALL TEAMS]
Saturday, March 6th, Rounds at 9 AM [ALL TEAMS] & 2 PM [Quarter-final, 8 Teams]
Sunday, March 7th, Rounds at 9 AM [Semi-final, 4 Teams] & 1 PM [Final, 2 Teams]

WITNESS AND PARTNER SEARCH
If you are looking for a partner or witnesses, put your information on this spreadsheet.

HOW TO SIGN UP

ABOUT THE COMPETITION
The Advocates host two James J. Hippard Mock Trial competitions during the academic year: the Hippard Open (in the Fall Semester) and the Hippard Novice (in the Spring Semester). 

A Hippard Mock Trial Competition Team is composed of two UHLC students who prepare and argue the case for both sides, including opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and closing arguments.  Each team must also recruit witnesses to provide the live testimony.  Competition rounds are judged by volunteers from the Houston legal community, who frequently offer competitors feedback at the end of their rounds to help them improve their skills.  Teams are scored on their Motion In Limine, opening statements, direct & cross examinations, closing arguments, objections, courtroom presence, and demeanor.

HIPPARD NOVICE MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION ELIGIBILITY (Spring Semester)
Any UHLC student who is in their first year of study (e.g. 1Ls or F.L.L.M.s in their first year).

COURSE CREDIT & PRIZES
UHLC students can earn 1 hour of non-substantive competition credit by (1) making a good-faith effort in the Competition and (2) completing and timely submitting the writing assignment for the Competition that is described in the Competition Rules. 

Click here to complete a Competition Credit Petition.

The Competition Teams that advance to the Final Round may receive a cash prize.  The Best Speaker in the Final Round of each competition will also be recognized.

Tournament Format

The tournament will be conducted in-person and have a limited amount of teams, consisting of 2 advocates and 2 volunteer witnesses. No person who has achieved a juris doctorate, or its equivalent, or has/is been a member of a law school mock trial team, may act as a witness for any competitor. The round will have pretrial motions, opening statements, direct examinations, cross-examinations, and closing statements. You are required to dress in professional business attire. Competitors must check in 30 minutes before the round begins, so that they may address any questions or concerns they have prior to the round.

INFORMATION SESSION
The information session will go over a general overview of the rules of evidence, spotting objections, opening statements, direct/cross-examinations, closing statements, trial decorum, zoom decorum, and any other questions that competitors may have. The goal of the information session is to provide competitors with an understanding of advocacy in the trial setting.

MORE INFORMATION
Do you have questions or need more information? Email Maddy Reichel, mmreiche@CougarNet.UH.EDU, Director of the Hippard Novice Mock Trial Competition.

FINAL ROUND LIVE STREAM INFORMATION

We kindly ask that you arrive on time, exercise proper zoom etiquette, and remain camera off and muted during the stream. Below is the recording of the final round from the 2026 competition. Please note it was recorded using Panopto Software, which has an automated tracking feature that is not in the control of The Advocates.

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/d2ApXwR-4Dy-inOyDb3ftP-0UFuWCquI1SQNHTAsu-l5awAHfWoaEz73-_20uzX2.bs_ecNXnaOgpryOz?startTime=1771788564000
Passcode: 8E5p7Ki&

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