Debating Union chair Matthew Butler-Adam (front) says this has been UCT's best year in debating, and the team's showing at the national student debating championship, hosted by the University of Pretoria from 9 to 15 July, was evidence enough that this may well be the case.

Economics master's student Butler-Adam teamed up with BSocSci third-year Daniel Kaliski - 2009 World Schools Debating winner - to win the final debate about whether or not "it was an order" is a legitimate defence in an international war crimes court.

The win marked UCT's first victory in the team event since 2007.