NALSAR Vice-Chancellor Highlights Moot Presentations as Proactive Legal Practice
The Faculty of Law organised the Shri I. M. Nanavati National Moot Court Competition. A total of 96 law students from across the country participated in the event.
The Faculty of Law organised the Sri I. M. Nanavati National Moot Competition from January 19 through 21, 2024. The event witnessed the participation of ninety-six competitors from 15 states. The participants were students of national law universities and premier law institutions in India. The event had scheduled an inaugural series of qualifying rounds and valedictory functions.
Addressing the gatherings in the inaugural function, Professor Srikrishna Deva Rao, Vice-Chancellor, NALSAR (National Academy of Legal Studies and Research), Hyderabad, and Chief Guest in the event, opined that moot presentation is anticipative lawyering, where the presenter has to assume the questions and arguments of the opponent parties. Moot court competition enhances the reading, writing, research, collaboration, and presentation skills of students. Citing a historical fact, the speaker noted that way back in 1870, Christopher Columbus, Dean of Harvard Law School, introduced the moot presentation in the curriculum. In India, Professor Madhav Menon, a well-known legal educator, introduced interdisciplinary studies in law. As a result, numerous law universities have integrated the teaching of social science with law. Moot is also referred to as a clinical teaching method similar to medical education teaching, as the speaker observed. As a piece of suggestion, the speaker must be well conversant with the facts of the case and present them in chronological order. The lawyer should not lie or present the wrong facts before the court. The advocate can take the risk of losing the case without losing the trust of the court. This is the internal truth of the law profession. Concluding the speech, the speaker commented that MOOT prepares the students to think like lawyers and argue like lawyers.
Similarly, addressing the participants, Professor Vijay Srivastava, Vice-Chancellor of M.S. University, Baroda, and Guest of Honour for the event, commented that law and environment are closely interlinked. Thus, environmental laws must be enforced properly for the conservation of water, land, forests, man, and animals. Everyone must have a proper attitude, empathy, and lifestyle to conserve the environment. The speaker urged everyone to have a mission to release the minimum carbon footprints in their lives.
Next, addressing the participants, Dr. Sudhir Nanavati, President, GLS University, informed the gatherings regarding the rich legacy of GLS. At any given time, fifty percent of sitting judges of the High Court are alumni of GLS. Even many former chief justices and judges of the Supreme Court are alumni of GLS. Emphasising the practical benefits of a moot competition, law students must participate in the competition, according to the according to the speaker.. To be a good lawyer, one must undertake hard work, find relevant precedence, and, more importantly, a lawyer must be loyal to the clients and present the arguments in a precise and coherent manner. Students always aim for bigger goals and strive in that direction, the speaker remarked.
Welcoming the guests, Dr. Mayuri Pandya, Dean, Faculty of Law, informed them that GLS is offering the highest cash award of Rs 546,000 in the moot competition. No other university in India is offering that much cash in the same competition. The competition has gained such popularity that participants registered within four days. In a unique way, we invited the last-year winners of the competition as special invitees. This has become a source of inspiration for others.
On the inauguration day, preliminary, quarter-final, and semi-final rounds of competitions were undertaken. The inaugural programme was concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Vidhi Shah, Coordinator, Moot Court Competition.
The subsequent day witnessed the valedictory ceremony, followed by the concluding phase of competition, whereby the presiding High Court judges presided over the evaluation process.
Mr. Justice Nirjar Desai, Judge High Court of Gujarat and Chief Guest for the event, emphasised the importance of a confident and well-informed moot presenter who can explain the facts of the case in a chronological manner. Furthermore, competitors are required to establish a connection between the factual details of the case and the judgements. The primary responsibility of the presenter is to address the fundamental legal inquiries pertaining to the case.
Subsequently, the esteemed Mr. Justice Deven Desai, a Judge of the High Court of Gujarat and the esteemed Guest of Honour for the occasion, advised the attendees that lawyers must refrain from misleading the court. Lawyers must cultivate a favourable reputation in the courtroom in order to gain the confidence of the judges.
Mr. Devang Nanavati, Vice President of GLS University, explained to the attendees that a moot presentation is similar to a practice match for a sporting event. Therefore, moot practices enhance the proficiency of aspiring lawyers. During their presentations on legal courses, speakers emphasised the significance of the Law of Jurisprudence and Constitutional Law, as these courses serve as manifestations of the ethos of law. Referring to mythological narratives from the epic Ramayana, the speaker emphasised that the reputation, renown, and success of lawyers will require diligent effort, expertise, and intelligence. Prospective lawyers should not neglect any of these facets of the legal profession.
Dr. Mauri Pandya, Dean of the Faculty of Law, provided a comprehensive summary of the complete programme. He stated that this competition attracted the participation of 96 contestants from 15 different states. Advocates, senior advocates, designated senior counsels, and sitting judges of the high court evaluated the competition in the preliminary quarter, semi-final round, and final round, respectively.
Dr. Suja Nayar, the coordinator of the moot court competition, expressed gratitude at the conclusion of the valedictory programme.