| NUPUR PRIYA

PERSONAL STATEMENT

I have come a long way from devoting the whole of my High School education in the pursuit of Science

stream to joining a Law School. This extreme transformation was coupled by various realizations, but I

adapted myself due to the will to compete and excel in the legal field. I chose law over any other subject

because I realized legal knowledge serves as the key to resolve several societal wrongs. I opted this field

as it is the only profession, which can help the nation and its citizens in various ways, and I believed I

have innate skills and attributes that can make me achieve great heights in the legal arena.

Owing to my background from a small-town and middle class family I had the biggest challenge of

keeping up with my metro educated classmates and life in the first few months of Law school. It took

some time, but I managed to survive the challenge and I rose higher up the ladder of competitiveness.

Two years later, I realized I had done away with my ‘small town’ accent too.

Currently, I am in the final year of B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) program of College of Legal Studies, University of

Petroleum and Energy Studies, which gives me specialization in the Energy laws. I have been successful

in maintaining a balance between my academic performance and other curricular activities. In the early

stages of law school, I took interest in every subject that we were taught in each semester. Later, through

internships and moots, I realized my inclination towards Energy laws and the commercial transactions

related to it. After establishing my interest areas, to attain discrete knowledge about the subject, I secured

an internship opportunity with the Corporate Law Department of GAIL (India) Limited, the largest gas

utility company in India. Working at GAIL allowed me to explore the intricacies of the LNG business,

which were global in nature, and to have a firsthand experience of the regulations and policy matters

governing the Oil and Gas sector. At GAIL, I was exposed to distinct ongoing court and arbitration

matters in which I assisted through my research work. The most prominent of all international projects,

involving LNG sourcing and the upstream activities of E&P ventures for Natural Gas, was the TAPI

(Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan India gas pipeline) negotiations which are being led by the GAIL
 | NUPUR PRIYA

team where I have made substantial research contributions. The extensive work relating to business

negotiations aroused my interest into the International Commercial laws, International Trade laws and

International Investment law. I have also been associated with GAIL as a trainee under the opportunity

provided by its Legal Head to assist them in various international business negotiations. My experience in

this field has further been developed by several International Moots that I have been a part of. I qualified

for Global Rounds at Pepperdine University in the FDI moot, 2014. In FDI moot, 2015, I with my team

qualified the South Asia Regional Round at Delhi and participated in the Global Rounds at King’s

College, London, wherein our team secured a good position. The issues revolved around the Renewable

Energy Market and the feed-in tariffs problem persistent in the European Union. Moreover, I have always

strived towards promoting the interest of my University. I have been pivotal in organizing an

International Energy Law Moot Court Competition, various national competitions for Client Counseling

and Trial Advocacy, in the capacity of Secretary of Moot Court Association.

I believe the above-mentioned internships/work assignments and moot experiences were essential training

experiences that helped me gain a better understanding of my own career interests in the field of

International Commercial Laws. Trade, Commerce and Economic factors play a crucial link in the

development of any nation and to understand ‘development’ in this context will be the real challenge for

me. The development of a nation will be impacted if there is any kind of stumbling block in the

commercial activities. Thus, the understanding of manner to avoid any kind of dispute and to resolve

dispute if any, in a timely manner is as critical as understanding the field itself. I am confident that a

premier institution in UK would give me a vibrant educational experience, enabling me to challenge my

intellectual and creative boundaries. The program will facilitate my understanding in the subject and help

in overcoming distinct challenges. The global exposure at your institution will provide me with fresh

insights into diverse developmental experiences across the globe, which will be critical learning material

in themselves. In turn, I feel that my personal experience in the field will bring fresh dimension to

classroom discussions. In UK, I thus seek to establish my ideas into concrete abilities.
 | NUPUR PRIYA

After acquiring vivid knowledge and experience through the LL.M. program, I wish to work with

prominent international bodies involved in the field of promotion and regulation of international trade and

commerce, as there are not much organizations in India to start working with and the entire field is at a

very infant stage, working abroad would help me in gaining necessary experience. Subsequently, I would

like to come back to India and immerse myself fully into the cause of promoting alternate ways to resolve

the commercial disputes so that the business environment in India can develop at its full potential.

(NUPUR PRIYA)