CLIENT COUNSELLING

A client counseling competition was organized from October 12th to October 14th, 2023, to give the participants an opportunity to test their legal knowledge, communication skills, convincing ability, and patience. A total of 10 teams registered for the competition, each consisting of two students. The problem for client counseling was based on these subject areas: Family Law, Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.

The preliminary round for the first team was held in MLS-1, which was presided over by Ms. Archana Bansal (Managing Partner for BLAC & CO), who judged the round for the team from VIPS, Delhi. The preliminary round for the second team was held in MLS-2, which was judged by Dr. Deepa Kaushik (Faculty Maharaja Agrasen College) for the team from VIPS, Delhi. The preliminary round for the third and fourth teams was held in MLS-3, which was chaired by Mr. Kush Srivastava (Advocate of High Court, Delhi), who judged the round for the third team from MNLU and for the fourth team from VIPS, Delhi. The preliminary round for the fifth and sixth teams was held in MLS-12, which was judged by Ms. Sunita Sharma (HOD and Assistant Professor at CPJ College) and Mr. Dhruv for the fifth team from Trinity Institute of Professional Studies and for the sixth team from PES Modern Law College. The preliminary round for the seventh and eighth teams was held in MLS-14, which was presided over by Ms. Stuti Narula (HOD MERI College), who judged the round for the seventh team from Modern Law College and for the eighth team from the University of Lucknow. The preliminary round for the nineth and tenth teams was held in MLS-15, which was chaired by Ms. Prity Singh, who judged the round for the nineth team from VIPS, Delhi, and for the tenth team from Geeta Ratan International Business School.

Out of ten teams, four teams are: - The first team from VIPS, Delhi

                            Seventh team from Modern Law College

                            Eighth team from University of Lucknow

                            Tenth team from Geeta Ratan International Business School

qualified for the semi-final round.   

The semi-final round was held on October 13th, where two teams qualified for the final round, VIPS, Delhi, and Geeta Ratan International Business School, which was scheduled for October 14th, 2023. It was judged by Dr. Shalu Tyagi (HOD Greater Noida College) and CS Shivam Sharma from ICSI.

The final round was held on October 14th and was judged by Mr. Manish Kumar (Founder and Chairman of BLAC & CO. and President of ICSI) and Ms. Ritu Goyal (Adv. and Solicitor, Naks & Associates). The winner of the final round was VIPS, Delhi.

The winner was awarded a cash prize of Rs 7,000 (along with a certificate of merit and memento).

The 1^st runner-up received a cash prize of Rs 5,000 along with a certificate of merit and a memento.

The 2^nd runner-up received a cash prize of Rs 3000/- along with a certificate of merit and a memento.

The best client was awarded to Supriyo Mukherjee from Maharishi Law School in Noida. All the participants received a Certificate of Participation.

MOOT COURT COMPETITION

The Department of Law at Maharishi University of Information and Technology, Noida, organized its National Law Festival, in which Moot Court was one of the major events. The competition was organized from October 11 to October 14, 2023. The Moot problem centred on an issue based on company law and SEBI regulations. Students from various universities and colleges across India participated in the competition, which was held in person at the Noida campus. The moot was divided into a preliminary round, a semi-final round, and a final round. A total of 10 teams were registered, consisting of three participants in each team (two speakers and one researcher) in this event. The competition officially commenced on October 11, 2023, with the draw of lots and the exchange of memorials. Following that, the researcher’s test took place on October 12, 2023. The event began with the inaugural ceremony on October 11, 2023. Subsequently, the competition proceeded with rounds held in five separate courtrooms. These rounds were evaluated by a panel of 10 esteemed legal professionals, including advocates and academicians. Based on their scores in the preliminary round, the top 4 teams advanced to the semi-final round, which took place on October 13th, 2023. Finally, the grand finale occurred on October 14th, 2023.

The teams were judged on the basis of speaking skills, display of professionalism, confident and eloquent knowledge, use of rules and principles of law, knowledge of facts, and style of presentation and persuasiveness.

A total of four teams qualified for the semi-final round, which took place in two courtrooms on October 13, 2023, and was judged by well-known dignitaries: CS Shivam Sharma (Vice Chairman, ICSI Ghaziabad), Mr. Gaurav Mahindra (CEO and Founder of Mahindra Law Academy), Ms Madhulika Mohta (Advocate and Editor of The Verdict Today), Dr Shalini Tyagi (HOD College of Law Greater Noida). This phase witnessed an enthralling discussion between the honourable judges and the participants on aspects of law and facts of the problem.

In the final round, VIPS emerged as the winning team, and they were awarded trophies along with Rs 15,000 and a 1-year subscription to The Verdict Today legal magazine. The runner-up team was from Amity Law School, Noida, and they were awarded with trophies along with Rs. 10,000 and a six-month bonded volume of Supreme Court cases from The Verdict Today. The best speaker was awarded to Ankit Yadav from Maharishi Markandeshwar University. The best memorial went to SGT University. The best researcher was given to Riya Singh from JIMS. The Best Discipline Team was grabbed by Jagmohan School of Law.

JUDGEMENT WRITING

The Judgment Writing Competition was held on October 12, 2023. The participants came from top institutions all over India, and the response was overwhelming. Our sponsor in this competition is Mahindra Law Academy. The judgment preposition was released at 5:00 p.m. on October 12, 2023, and the submission time was on the same day. This competition was presided over by Advocate Gaurav Mahindra (Sir). He judged it on the grounds of presentation of facts, identification of the relevant issue, application of facts, understanding of law, and also on the viability and uniqueness of the judgment.

The results were announced on October 14, 2023. Madhav Kaushik and Prabhroop Kaur from UILS, Punjab University, Chandigarh, emerged as the winners. The team of Jahanir Gupta and Annu from MVN University, Palwal, secured the second position. Hritvvik Vishal Kapoor from Amity Law School, Noida, was awarded third place.

                                                  LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING 

Legislative Drafting was the concluding event, held on October 13. The competition challenged participants to draft a bill on the theme 'Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Abuse within Educational Premises and Prohibition of Opening Any Such Shop in Close Proximity to the Same.' Four teams, each comprising two participants, enthusiastically participated in the event. The round was adjudicated by Mr. Abhinav Kumar Mishra, Founder and CEO of My Lawman. Arushi Agarwal and Prabhroop Kaur emerged as the winners of this competition. Esha Chawla and Hritvvik Vishal Kapoor secured the second position, while Madhav was awarded the third place.

VALEDICTORY

The valedictory session was conducted on October 14, 2023. It was the culmination of the four-day events that took place. All the distinguished guests were present in the auditorium, namely Mr. Awnish Srivastava, Chancellor Sir Mr. Ajay Prakash Srivastava, Dr. Trapty Agarwal, and Prof. Dr. K.B. Asthana, along with other faculty members, advocates, and solicitors.

Mr. Anmol Sah briefed the audience on all four events that were conducted. Thereafter, our Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Bhanu Pratap Singh, addressed the gathering and expressed gratitude to the chief guests and other dignitaries. He shared his valuable insights and gave his best wishes to the participants. Mr. Awnish Srivastava emphasized the need for awareness in the legal domain and explained how a career trajectory should be chosen according to one’s own interests.

Various cultural events were also lined up for the day, which included a musical performance and the Malkham Show by Aryawork Khel Mahasangh.

The Chief Guest of the Day was Hon’ble Justice Mr. K. G. Balakrishnan, former Chief Justice of India. It was an immense honour to have such a distinguished guest at the event who emphasized the growing opportunities for lawyers in present times. He advised on judicial exams and how to remain professional in the legal arena. He boosted the morale of women lawyers and explained how, in current times, the number of women judges is slowly increasing, which is changing the history of India.

Subsequently, the winners were announced by Mr. Vikas, and each team was presented with trophies and cash prizes. The event concluded with the melodious strains of Rashtra Gaan, leaving behind a trail of cherished memories, smiling faces, and countless photographs capturing these beautiful and enduring moments.