LIVE | 3rd MNLU Nagpur National Technology Law Moot, 2024

WELCOME TO 3rd EDITION OF NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY MOOT COURT COMPETITION

Christened by the Maharashtra National Law University Act (Maharashtra Act No. VI of 2014), the Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur, has swiftly risen as a vanguard of legal education and progressive legal thought. Deeply committed to nurturing a milieu of academic brilliance and well-rounded development, MNLU Nagpur is proud to announce the 3rd edition of the National Technology Moot Court Competition, Nagpur. This prestigious event promises to convene the brightest legal minds from law schools across the nation for an intellectually stimulating competition.

The Maharashtra National Law University Nagpur (MNLU Nagpur) is gearing up for the 3rd edition of its prestigious National Technology Law Moot Court Competition. After two successful events, the competition returns to a physical format this year, welcoming law schools nationwide.

The competition promises a rigorous testing ground for aspiring legal minds. A meticulous selection process begins with a memorial qualification round, where written submissions will be judged to select the top 20 teams. These finalists will then have the opportunity to showcase their courtroom skills in the oral rounds, presenting their arguments before a distinguished panel of judges– renowned experts in the field of technology law. The competition will be held on the magnificent campus of MNLU Nagpur.

This year’s moot proposition focuses on a highly relevant and complex legal issue: the intersection of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), cryptocurrency, and data protection. Organizers hope the competition will spark stimulating discussions and foster exceptional advocacy skills among future legal professionals navigating this ever-evolving legal landscape.

MEMORIAL SUBMISSION ROUND (February 11th, 2024)

In an exciting test of legal acumen, teams were challenged to delve into the burgeoning legal domains of cryptocurrency, digital transactions, and data protection. This intricate policy problem, crafted by our esteemed legal sponsors, Trilegal, demanded a deep understanding of these evolving landscapes. Submissions for this round closed on February 11th, 2024, and after a rigorous evaluation process, an impressive 20 teams emerged victorious, securing their place in the preliminary rounds.

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE (March 15th, 2024)

A palpable current of anticipation crackled through Seminar Hall A as teams gathered for registration. The three-day journey they were about to embark on shimmered in the air, igniting a collective spark of enthusiasm. Here, amidst the excited buzz, teams submitted their meticulously crafted memos to the registration desk, awaiting the draw of lots ceremony that would determine their fate. The organizers, anticipating the participants’ needs, had thoughtfully prepared folders brimming with essential stationery, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience. Once registration concluded, a gentle invitation guided the participants towards the inaugural ceremony, marking the official commencement of this momentous event.

INAUGURAL CEREMONY (March 15th, 2024 | 4:00p.m. – 6:00p.m.)

The Inaugural Ceremony commenced with the address of the Student Convenor, setting the stage for the event. Followed by the address of Dr Shilpa Jain, Faculty Advisor to the Moot Court Committee. Prof. Dr Vijender Kumar, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur, addressed and motivated the participants by his inspiring and eloquent delivery of the speech. Following the invigorating speeches, with spirits high, the vote of thanks by Dr Divita Pagey, Faculty Advisor, Moot Court Committee. Concludingly, the participants took a picture with all the MCC members and faculty advisors, briefed them in regards to the itinerary for the upcoming 3 days and then, moved to high tea.

RESEARCHERS’ TEST (March 15th, 2024 | 5:00p.m.)

The researchers’ test was a test for the mastermind behind the memorial. All of the 20 researchers were tested on 30 questions delving into the intricate domain of cryptocurrency, white-collar crimes and data protection.  Out of the 30 questions, 15 questions weighed 1 mark, 10 questions for 1.5 and 5 questions for 2 marks. The total duration of the Researchers’ test was set to be 30 minutes. This would be a deciding factor for the BEST RESEARCHER Award.

RELEASE OF FIXTURES AND MEMO EXCHANGE (March 15th | 5:30 p.m.)

The drawing of lots was conducted under the guidance of two MCC members.  The team witnessed the draws which were arranged in a randomized fashion with different opponents and different benches for the upcoming 2 preliminaries. Along with this, the teams were also allotted the side on which they would be submitting to the bench. Following the draw, the process transitioned to the exchange of memorials in accordance with the allotments and thus, the teams dispersed for high tea.

WELCOME TO DAY 2 OF THE NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY MOOT COURT COMPETITION!

Following a day brimming with registration formalities, allocation of resources, and a rousing inauguration ceremony, a current of anticipation crackled through the air. Emerging from their accommodations, the participants streamed towards the main campus, a captivating blend of excitement and nervous energy etched upon their faces. All were prepared to conquer the two preliminary rounds looming on the horizon.

JUDGES BRIEFING (March 16th | 10:30a.m.)

Following a delightful breakfast, the esteemed judges were warmly received by the MCC members amidst the vibrant program buzz and were ushered towards Studio 2. The judges invited for the event were:

1. Adv. Vikrant Vishwarupe
2. Adv. Adarsh Dubey
3. Adv. Pushkar Deshpande 
4. Adv. Abhishek Tripathi 
5. Adv. Parth Malviya
6. Adv. Vedant Akhade 
7. Adv. Ayushi Dangre
8. Adv. Akhilesh Potnis
9. Adv. Zeeshan Haq
10. Adv. Yash Kullarwar
11. Adv. Mohit Dang
12. Adv. Nishant Tiwari
13. Ms. Aakriti Gulati
14. Adv. Anant Vijay Maria 
15. Adv. Ajeeth Srinivas
16. Adv. Navneet R
17. Adv. Debarpita Pande
18. Adv. Omkareshwar Pathak 
19. Adv. Ved Deshmukh
20. Adv. Apoorva Pandey

Here, they were greeted by Dr Divita Pagey, Faculty Advisor and the Convenor, MCC. Here, they were briefed in regards to the moot proposition, the scoring process and the working of the online scoresheet by the senior members of the Moot Court Competition. Following the culmination of the informative briefing session, the esteemed judges were escorted to their designated chambers, where the much-anticipated rounds were poised to begin.

PRELIMINARY ROUND 1 (March 16th | 11:00 a.m.)

The rounds happened in 10 different rooms in an orderly fashion. Every bench was assisted by a Court Room Manager, a Timekeeper and two volunteers. The teams were escorted to their allocated rooms by their ushers and after the arrival of the judges, the rounds commenced. The rebuttals today were a masterclass in agilitey, dissecting arguments with precision and rebuilding them with unwavering logic. Both sides displayed impressive sharpness in their rebuttals, turning the tide on arguments with swiftness and strategic wit. The participants were given a feedback session by the end of the rounds. After the scoring procedure was completed from the end of the judges, they were escorted to high tea.

PRELIMINARY ROUND 2 (March 16th | 12:00 p.m.)

Following a small break, the participants continued their sharp rebuttals and presentation of their in-depth research through the media of arguments. The debates in this round focused on foundational arguments, with emphasis on the sharp rebuttal skills that were evident during the competition. Following the debates, participants received feedback sessions. After the scoring procedure, the participants and the judges were escorted to lunch. 

PRELIMINARY ROUND RESULTS

The rounds ended with very enthusiastic remarks where teams delivered their level best rebuttals. Eight out of twenty teams qualified. The results declaration ended up leaving the participants buckling up for the next competition. 

JUDGES BRIEFING AND DRAW OF LOTS   

A whirlwind of activity characterised this break for the MCC members. Operating on a dual track, the senior members of the organisation found themselves simultaneously engaged in two critical tasks. In one corner, a sense of focused purpose filled the air as the esteemed panel of eight judges received their briefing. 

Meanwhile, the reshuffling ceremony for the Quarter Finals unfolded. This meticulously planned drawing of lots ceremony served as a pivotal moment, injecting a fresh layer of intrigue and unpredictability into the tournament’s narrative, making the participants buckle up for the upcoming rounds.

QUARTER FINALS (March 16th | 2:00p.m.)

The competition intensified as the Quarter Finals unfolded. The competition rooms buzzed with a unique energy, fueled by the palpable dedication and focused determination of the participants. These teams, battle-tested from the preliminary rounds, emerged even more formidable, showcasing the fruits of their tireless work ethic and unwavering diligence. The judges for the quarter-finals were:-

1. Adv. Apurv De
2. Adv. Kuldeep Mahalle
3. Adv. Akshaya Parthasarathy
4. Adv. Abhishek Kumar
5. Adv. Prakshal Jain
6. Adv. Mayuri Deshmukh

Following this, the judges retired for a well-deserved high tea, leaving everyone in suspense as the results were to be unveiled later during the social night.

DECLARATION OF BREAKS (March 16th | 5:00 p.m.)

The social night buzzed with a mix of nervous anticipation and excitement as the results were finally announced. Only four out of the eight teams advanced to the semi-finals. 

WELCOME TO DAY 3 OF THE NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY LAW MOOT COURT COMPETITION!  

After a day marked by the successful completion of two rigorous preliminary rounds and the quarter-finals, the NTLM team plunged into hosting the third day of the competition, poised to orchestrate the eagerly awaited semi-final and final rounds. The cream of the crop, the top four contenders, made their way from their respective accommodations to the courtrooms, ready to showcase their finest advocacy skills before the esteemed panel of judges.

JUDGES BRIEFING (March 17th | 9:30 a.m.) 

The panel of judges, invited to adjudicate the advanced rounds of the competition, were respectfully escorted to Studio 1 for a briefing session where they were warmly received by Dr. Divita Pagey, the Faculty Advisor and the Convenor MCC. A senior member of the committee provided them with comprehensive insights into their roles. This included a detailed rundown of the moot proposition, the scoring process, and various other duties expected of them throughout the proceedings. Judges for the semifinal rounds included: 

1. Gautam Busi
2. Adv. Vaibhav Choudhary 
3. Adv. Anil Dhawas 
4. Adv. Rohit Joshi
5. Adv. Aditya Ajnaokar 
6. Prof. Sachin Tripathi 

SEMIFINAL ROUNDS ( March 17th | 10:00 a.m.) 

Simultaneously conducted in Seminar Halls A and B, the two semi-final rounds resounded with the impassioned presentations of mooters advocating for their respective cases. The walls echoed with the fervour of techno-legal discourse as participants exhibited their acumen in argumentation. The questions posed to them this time were notably more demanding than those in the preliminary rounds, necessitating them to surpass their usual limits. Each contender was compelled to rise to the challenge, striving to earn a coveted position in the fiercely competitive finals that awaited them later in the day. 

SEMIFINAL ROUND RESULTS 

The judges found themselves in a challenging position as they deliberated over selecting the top two teams, given the exceptional performances showcased by all four contenders. After engaging in thorough discussions among themselves, the finalists were eventually revealed. The session concluded with valuable feedback provided to the participants by the judges, following which they were escorted by the MCC members to the dining area.

JUDGES BRIEFING (March 17th | 2:00 p.m.)

As the pinnacle rounds of the competition approached, the esteemed panel of judges tasked with adjudicating the final rounds received a warm welcome from the Vice-Chancellor, faculty advisors, and committee members. Following the cordial reception, they were meticulously briefed on the moot problem and their respective roles. This briefing ensured that the esteemed judges were well-equipped to fulfil their duties effectively, setting the stage for a fair and rigorous evaluation of the competitors’ performances in the ultimate rounds.

Judges for the finals included:

1. Hon’ble Shri Justice Bhushan Dharmadhikari (Former Chief Justice, Bombay High Court)
2. Hon’ble Shri Justice R. C. Chavan (Former Judge, Bombay High Court) 
3. Hon’ble Shri Justice R. K. Deshpande (Former Judge, Bombay High Court) 
4. Ms. Chitra Rentala (Partner, Trilegal) 

FINAL ROUNDS (March 17th | 2:30 p.m.)

Following the drawing of lots, the finalist teams were respectively assigned their positions in the matter. The final rounds, held in the Conference Hall, were attended not only by the other participants but also by university professors and students. Over the course of 40 minutes, both finalist teams presented tough competition to each other, showcasing their strong advocacy skills and unwavering determination. Given their exceptional performances, nobody could have predicted the winner amidst the intense atmosphere of the competition.

VALEDICTORY CEREMONY (March 17th | 5:00 p.m.)

The valedictory ceremony of the moot court competition was a momentous occasion marked by eloquent speeches, recognition of outstanding achievements, and heartfelt expressions of gratitude. The Vice-Chancellor delivered an inspiring address, underscoring the importance of legal education. Esteemed guest of honours, including Hon’ble Justice V.P. Dharmadhikari and Ms. Chitra Rentala shared invaluable insights into the legal profession and congratulated the participants, adding depth to the event. Subsequently, faculty advisor Ms. Divita Pagey facilitated distribution of trophies, cash prizes to the achievers and certificates-of-merit to all the participants. 

 

Winning Team- Panjab University, Chandigarh 

Runners-Up Team- National Law School of India University, Bangalore 

Best Memorial- National Law University, Jodhpur

Best Speaker- Aditya Bhargava of NLSIU, Bangalore 

Best Researcher- Sharav Mehra of Panjab University

Finally, Dr. Shilpa Jain’s heartfelt vote of thanks expressed gratitude to all involved, emphasising the collaborative effort that made the event possible followed by a group picture with the esteemed panel of judges. The ceremony encapsulated the spirit of excellence, camaraderie, and dedication, reaffirming the significance of such competitions in nurturing legal talent and fostering professional growth. The 3rd edition of the MNLU Nagpur National Technology Law Moot Court Competition finally concluded with a lively cultural night.