Rule 1: Language and courtesy
The working language of Model UN will be English, and members cannot address any forum or submit documents in a language other than English unless English translation is available.
Rule 2: Participation of non-members
Representatives of accredited observers in the UN will have the same rights as full members, except for the right to vote on resolutions or amendments.
Rule 3: Debate and the speaker’s list
A continuous speaker’s list will be drawn up for the purpose of general debate on the item at hand. The speaker’s list will be followed for all debate on agenda item, except when superseded by procedural motions or debate on amendments, in which case separate speaker’s lists will be established as needed. Any member or non-member may request to be added to the speaker’s list by raising their placard when asked by the Chair. When no further nations are left on the speaker’s list, the debate is considered automatically closed, and voting procedures will follow.
Rule 4: Unmoderated and moderated caucus
A motion to enter either unmoderated or moderated caucus is in order at any time when the floor is open. The delegation proposing the motion must briefly explain the purpose of the caucus and specify a time limit for the caucus, which must not exceed 15 minutes. If the motion is entertained by the Chair, the delegations will vote on whether to enter the caucus, wherein a majority is required.
Rule 5: Closure of debate
A motion to close debate on an item or the resolution is in order at any time when the floor is open. A second is required, and if there are no objections, voting procedures will follow immediately on the item at hand. If an objection is raised, voting procedures on closing debate will follow, wherein a two-thirds majority is required.
Rule 6: Speeches
No delegation may address a session without the prior permission of the Chair. The Chair may limit the time allotted to each speaker, a minimum of thirty seconds, if deemed necessary. The Chair may also call to order any speaker deemed to be violating the Rules of Procedure.
Rule 7: Yields
A delegation granted the right to speak may yield its time in three ways;
1. Yield to another delegation. The delegation can yield its time to another delegation of its choice, which cannot make any further yields.
2. Yield to points of information. The delegation yields its time to questions posed by other delegations, chosen at the discretion of the Chair. At this point in time, a delegation present may rise to a point of clarification, which takes precedence over points of information.
3. Yield to the Chair. Delegations may yield their time to the Chair without answering any questions, and the Chair will move on to the next speaker on the speaker’s list. A delegation speaking must declare its yield at the end of its speech.
Rule 8: Right to reply
A delegation whose national honour or integrity has been insulted by another delegation may request a right to reply, which will be at the discretion of the Chair. A right to reply to a right to reply is out of order.
Rule 9: Point of personal privilege
If a delegation feels its ability to participate is impaired by any personal discomfort, the delegation may, at any time deemed necessary by the delegation, rise to a point of personal privilege.
Rule 10: Point of order
A delegation may rise to a point of order to highlight any failures in the parliamentary proceedings exercised by the Chair. The point of order will be immediately ruled upon by the Chair in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. Points of order may not interrupt the speech of a delegation or the Chair, and must be raised at the conclusion of speeches.
Rule 11: Points of parliamentary inquiry
Delegations may rise to a point of parliamentary inquiry to ask the Chair for clarification regarding the Rules of Procedure. A point of parliamentary inquiry may never interrupt a speaker.
Rule 12: Introducing draft resolutions
A motion to introduce a draft resolution may be proposed by delegations at the discretion of the Chair to introduce a resolution for debate. As the resolution is distributed, an immediate vote is taken, requiring a simple majority for introduction. More than one resolution may be on the floor at any one time, but no more than one resolution may be passed per agenda item.
Rule 13: Amendments
Delegates may amend any draft resolution that has been introduced. Delegations may propose a motion to introduce an amendment to any of the operative clauses. Amendments to the preambulatory clauses can be made at the discretion of the Chair. The amendment will be read out by the delegation. A second is required, and if there are no objections, delegations may propose a motion to introduce a friendly amendment, in which case the amendment will be added to the resolution without debates. However, if an objection is made, a vote will be taken, requiring a simply majority for introducing the amendment to debate. The speaker’s list will be temporarily suspended and a new one will be drawn up on the amendment.
Rule 14: Voting
All members of the committee, including observers, have one vote on procedural motions including votes on amendments. No abstentions are permitted on procedural motions. On votes on adoptions of resolutions, where only members may vote, delegations must vote either “yes”, “no” or “abstain”. Only a point of order or a point of personal privilege may interrupt voting procedures.
Rule 15: Order of precedence of points and motions
1. Parliamentary points
- Points of parliamentary inquiry
2. Procedural motions that are not debateable
3. Procedural motions that are applicable to an agenda item, resolution or amendment
4. Substantive motions
The working language of Model UN will be English, and members cannot address any forum or submit documents in a language other than English unless English translation is available.
Rule 2: Participation of non-members
Representatives of accredited observers in the UN will have the same rights as full members, except for the right to vote on resolutions or amendments.
Rule 3: Debate and the speaker’s list
A continuous speaker’s list will be drawn up for the purpose of general debate on the item at hand. The speaker’s list will be followed for all debate on agenda item, except when superseded by procedural motions or debate on amendments, in which case separate speaker’s lists will be established as needed. Any member or non-member may request to be added to the speaker’s list by raising their placard when asked by the Chair. When no further nations are left on the speaker’s list, the debate is considered automatically closed, and voting procedures will follow.
Rule 4: Unmoderated and moderated caucus
A motion to enter either unmoderated or moderated caucus is in order at any time when the floor is open. The delegation proposing the motion must briefly explain the purpose of the caucus and specify a time limit for the caucus, which must not exceed 15 minutes. If the motion is entertained by the Chair, the delegations will vote on whether to enter the caucus, wherein a majority is required.
Rule 5: Closure of debate
A motion to close debate on an item or the resolution is in order at any time when the floor is open. A second is required, and if there are no objections, voting procedures will follow immediately on the item at hand. If an objection is raised, voting procedures on closing debate will follow, wherein a two-thirds majority is required.
Rule 6: Speeches
No delegation may address a session without the prior permission of the Chair. The Chair may limit the time allotted to each speaker, a minimum of thirty seconds, if deemed necessary. The Chair may also call to order any speaker deemed to be violating the Rules of Procedure.
Rule 7: Yields
A delegation granted the right to speak may yield its time in three ways;
1. Yield to another delegation. The delegation can yield its time to another delegation of its choice, which cannot make any further yields.
2. Yield to points of information. The delegation yields its time to questions posed by other delegations, chosen at the discretion of the Chair. At this point in time, a delegation present may rise to a point of clarification, which takes precedence over points of information.
3. Yield to the Chair. Delegations may yield their time to the Chair without answering any questions, and the Chair will move on to the next speaker on the speaker’s list. A delegation speaking must declare its yield at the end of its speech.
Rule 8: Right to reply
A delegation whose national honour or integrity has been insulted by another delegation may request a right to reply, which will be at the discretion of the Chair. A right to reply to a right to reply is out of order.
Rule 9: Point of personal privilege
If a delegation feels its ability to participate is impaired by any personal discomfort, the delegation may, at any time deemed necessary by the delegation, rise to a point of personal privilege.
Rule 10: Point of order
A delegation may rise to a point of order to highlight any failures in the parliamentary proceedings exercised by the Chair. The point of order will be immediately ruled upon by the Chair in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. Points of order may not interrupt the speech of a delegation or the Chair, and must be raised at the conclusion of speeches.
Rule 11: Points of parliamentary inquiry
Delegations may rise to a point of parliamentary inquiry to ask the Chair for clarification regarding the Rules of Procedure. A point of parliamentary inquiry may never interrupt a speaker.
Rule 12: Introducing draft resolutions
A motion to introduce a draft resolution may be proposed by delegations at the discretion of the Chair to introduce a resolution for debate. As the resolution is distributed, an immediate vote is taken, requiring a simple majority for introduction. More than one resolution may be on the floor at any one time, but no more than one resolution may be passed per agenda item.
Rule 13: Amendments
Delegates may amend any draft resolution that has been introduced. Delegations may propose a motion to introduce an amendment to any of the operative clauses. Amendments to the preambulatory clauses can be made at the discretion of the Chair. The amendment will be read out by the delegation. A second is required, and if there are no objections, delegations may propose a motion to introduce a friendly amendment, in which case the amendment will be added to the resolution without debates. However, if an objection is made, a vote will be taken, requiring a simply majority for introducing the amendment to debate. The speaker’s list will be temporarily suspended and a new one will be drawn up on the amendment.
Rule 14: Voting
All members of the committee, including observers, have one vote on procedural motions including votes on amendments. No abstentions are permitted on procedural motions. On votes on adoptions of resolutions, where only members may vote, delegations must vote either “yes”, “no” or “abstain”. Only a point of order or a point of personal privilege may interrupt voting procedures.
Rule 15: Order of precedence of points and motions
1. Parliamentary points
- Points which may interrupt the speaker
- Points that are in order when the floor is open
- Points of parliamentary inquiry
2. Procedural motions that are not debateable
- Motion to enter unmoderated caucus
- Motion to enter moderated caucus
3. Procedural motions that are applicable to an agenda item, resolution or amendment
- Motion to close debate
4. Substantive motions