PACKET CLARIFICATIONS
2016 MARDI GRAS SPORTS LAW INVITATIONAL
Q. The website states that the extended brief submission deadline is January 11th, but the
rules say the submission deadline is January 8th. Which is the correct deadline?
A. The correct deadline is January 11th. All briefs (electronic and all hard copies) must
be received by Tulane by January 11th, 2016. ELECTRONIC BRIEFS MAY NOW
BE SUBMITTED ON JANUARY 11TH INSTEAD OF JANUARY 8TH.
Q. Should the brief follow the guidelines for briefs to the Supreme Court when
formatting the brief? What headings, sections, or other formatting requirements are
different or otherwise noteworthy?
A. The only requirements for the briefs are as follows:
Each brief must contain the following:
Brief Cover (formatting on pg. 6 of Rules)
Questions Presented Page
Table of Contents
Table of Authorities
Appendix (if needed)
Argument Section
The word limit is 7,500 words. The word limit does not include the brief cover,
questions presented, table of contents, table of authorities, or appendix.
These listed sections are the only sections required. All other sections may be added
by your team, but if you chose to add any sections (i.e. summary of the argument),
those sections will be included in the word count.
Pages 4-7 of the Rules describes the formatting requirements of the briefs (i.e. Times
New Roman, 12 pt font, double spaced, except for footnotes, argument headings, and
extended quotations, which may be single spaced). Headings, footnotes, and singlespaced quotations must be in 12pt. font and in times new roman.
Q. What is the proper format for citations to the problem?
A. All citations must conform to the most recent edition of A Uniform System of Citation
(the Bluebook).
Q. Should teams assume that there is no challenge to the Court having subject matter
jurisdiction over the state law claims related to the “baseball rule”?
A. Subject Matter Jurisdiction is NOT an issue, so assume that no challenge was or will
be made on the issue of subject matter jurisdiction to the court.
Q. What should be the source of law for the “baseball rule” question? Will the court look
to the common law of any one state in particular in making its decision or can the
common law of any state be considered persuasive authority?
A. Tulania is meant to be dependent on persuasive authority. When researching and
drafting your brief, consider ANY state law for support.
Q. Are teams to assume that the School Corporation is the owner and operator of the
stadium where the baseball tournament took place?
A. When drafting the brief, assume that the School Corporation is the owner and operator
of the baseball stadium. Jesuit High School is only hosting a baseball tournament at
the baseball stadium. Jesuit High School does not actually own or operate the
stadium.