Checklist Before You Submit the Memorial

Many teams lose marks, or are even penalized, for small mistakes: a wrong font, a name on the cover page, a missed deadline. Use this list in the last three days. Tick every box. Ask someone who did not write the memorial to check it too.

The last 72 hours plan

When	Do this
72 to 48 hours before	Content freeze. No new arguments. Only fixes
48 to 24 hours before	Full read-through by two people who did not write that part. Citation and formatting check
24 hours before	Final PDF made. Rules check one last time. Anonymity and file checks
12 to 6 hours before	Upload. Do not wait for the last hour
After upload	Download the file back. Open it. Check it is complete and readable

Deadlines are often written in another time zone (for example US Eastern Time or Central European Time). Check your local time zone. Convert the deadline to your local time, write it on the wall, and set the team’s own deadline at least six hours earlier. Also plan for power cuts and slow internet: charge laptops, keep a mobile hotspot ready, and have a second place to upload from.

Final checklist before submission

A. Rules and format

• I re-read the latest official rules (and clarifications) this week.
• Word or page limit is respected, counted the way the rules count (with or without footnotes, tables and headings).
• Font, size, spacing, margins and paper size match the rules.
• Every required part is present and in the required order
• Cover page has exactly the information the rules ask for.
• Page numbers and the table of contents match.
• File name, file type and file size follow the rules.

B. Anonymity and fairness

• No team member’s names, school’s name, logo or location appear anywhere (unless required).
• Author name and school are removed from the file’s hidden properties (in Word: File, Info, Inspect Document).
• Headers, footers, comments and tracked changes are cleared.
• No part of the memorial is copied from last year’s teams, other memorials or published articles without citation. Plagiarism can disqualify a team.

C. Content and logic

• Headings alone tell my story (read them in a row to test).
• Every issue in the problem is answered.
• Each argument starts with a claim.
• Each legal rule has a source and a pinpoint.
• Each argument is applied to the facts of this case.
• The hardest point for my side is dealt with honestly.
• Strong adverse authority is mentioned and answered.
• Arguments do not contradict each other.
• The Prayer for Relief matches my arguments and asks for specific orders.
• The Summary of Pleadings matches the final headings.

D. Facts

• Every fact has a paragraph reference to the problem.
• I added no fact that is not in the problem or the clarifications.
• Dates, names and numbers are correct (check each against the problem).
• I included key adverse facts and did not misdescribe them.

E. Authorities and citations

• I opened and read every source I cite.
• Quotes are exact and short, and I checked each against the source.
• Every case, treaty and article in the memorial is in the Index of Authorities, and the other way round.
• Citation style is the same throughout and follows the rules.
• No citation comes from an AI tool or a blog without being checked at its official source.
• Treaties are in force and relevant to the parties (check the list of parties).

F. Language

• Spelling language is consistent (British or American, not mixed).
• Sentences are short. Hard sentences are split.
• No spelling mistakes, repeated words or leftover notes such as [add source].
• Names of parties are used the same way each time.
• No emotional or insulting language about the other side.

G. Technical

• Final PDF opens correctly on two different devices.
• Pages, tables and footnotes look right in the PDF (Word can change layout when saving).
• Links work (if any).
• I downloaded the file after uploading and checked it.
• I saved a copy in two places (laptop plus cloud or pen drive).

H. Team sign-off

• Coach has read the final version.
• All team members have signed off the final file.
• Someone checked the confirmation email or portal message after uploading.

Final reminder

The memorial is not finished at submission. After you submit, read it again, because every oralist must know it better than the judges do. In oral rounds, a judge may open to any page and ask, “Counsel, on your page 14, you say…”.