ORGANISED BY

THE LEGAL AID CLINIC , MGCL

lac@mgcl.ac.in

DECEMBER 19-20TH
CONTENT

THE MGCL LEGAL AID CLINIC ---------------------------- 2

3
ABOUT THE COMPETITION ----------------------------

GENERAL RULES AND ---------------------------- 4

INFORMATION

IMPORTANT DATES ---------------------------- 5

COMPETITION FORMAT ---------------------------- 6

DEFINTITIONS ---------------------------- 7-8

9
REGISTRATION ----------------------------

SCORING ---------------------------- 10 - 12

PENALTIES ---------------------------- 13

PRIZES AND AWARDS ---------------------------- 14

ORGANISING COMMITTEE ---------------------------- 15

1ST INTERNAL MEDIATION COMPETITION, 2023 1

THE MGCL LEGAL AID CLINIC
The MGCL Legal Aid Clinic chaired by the Eminent Faculties M.V. George (Retd.
District Judge) and Usha Kumari K.G. planted out as an initiative to the people in
need and for those who had lacked resources to obtain and to be informed
concerning the Laws prevalent in the society. The Legal Aid Clinic works in close
association with the District Legal Services Authority under the National Legal
Services Authority Act, 1987. We are backed by more than 100 students and
faculty members of the Institution for any assistance on call. Our Cell has
conducted surveys in several panchayats and accomplished Lok Adalats.

One of the prime objectives is to produce a dynamic group of socially responsible

lawyers. Social responsibility and the feeling of universal brotherhood cannot be
taught in classrooms but are to be internalized by involving in social activities.
The community legal service programmes are co- ordinated under the guidance
of the Kerala Legal Services Authority and are aimed to bridge the gap between
the classroom and social reality. The Legal Aid Cell provides free legal service to
the poor and the needy in the local community thereby enabling students to
spread legal awareness in society.

1ST INTERNAL MEDIATION COMPETITION, 2023 2

ABOUT THE COMPETITION
Introducing the 1st Internal Mediation Competition, 2023, presented by the
Legal Aid Clinic and Mar Gregorios College of Law, Thiruvananthapuram. This
innovative platform empowers students to harness their advocacy prowess,
analytical acumen, and social finesse. Designed to cultivate a spirit of teamwork,
it challenges participants to craft win-win solutions, fostering a culture of
collaboration and creativity.

Our competition responds to the evolving landscape of alternate dispute

resolution, recognizing the increasing demand for cost-effective alternatives
beyond traditional trials. More than a theoretical exercise, it’s a practical
immersion where students step into multiple roles: the client, the counsel, and
the mediator. This holistic approach provides a comprehensive understanding of
the mediation process, nurturing well-rounded legal professionals.

This isn’t just an event; it’s a transformative journey that equips future legal
minds with practical insights and expertise.

Join us in launching
a tradition that
shapes the
Future of legal
education.
1ST INTERNAL MEDIATION COMPETITION, 2023 3
GENERAL RULES AND INFORMATION

LANGUAGE
The official language of the competition shall be English.

DATE
19 - 20 December 2023

DRESS CODE
The Dress code for Competition is Western Business Formal.

ELIGIBILITY
Competition is open for all MGCL students.

TEAM COMPOSITION
Every participating team shall comprise of three students
(one student as Client, one student as Counsel, and one
student as the Mediator)

CLARIFICATION
Clarifications regarding the Negotiation Problem or the
Rules may be requested online at lac@mgcl.ac.in.

1ST INTERNAL MEDIATION COMPETITION, 2023 4

IMPORTANT DATES

PARTICULARS DATE

REGISTRATION Starts on 1st Dec till 10th.

ORIENTATION AND TRAINING 11th

PROPOSITION RELEASE 12th

CLARIFICATIONS 15th

COMPETITION 19th & 20th

1ST INTERNAL MEDIATION COMPETITION, 2023 5

COMPETITION FORMAT
The Competition shall comprise mainly of Three Rounds
A Mediation Session will consist of two opposing client-counsel pairs who
will try to resolve a dispute in the presence of two mediators. Each of the
two mediators will be marked individually. The client-counsel pair shall be
marked as a Negotiating team.
The mediators or any member of either team may call either a caucus or a
cross – caucus.
A maximum number of two (2) caucuses may be called. However, the
cumulative time provided for caucuses is 5 minutes for the First and Second
round, and 10 minutes for the Final Round.
The creation of extraneous facts is not permitted and teams shall be
penalized for the same. However, teams may reasonably interpret the
problem to draw reasonable conclusions.

1ST INTERNAL MEDIATION COMPETITION, 2023 6

DEFINITIONS
“Competition Problems” pertains to the problem framed by the organizing
committee to be used throughout the competition, in the competition
sessions/rounds.
“Competition” pertains to the “Internal Mediation Competition, 2023”
organized by Legal Aid Clinic, Mar Gregorios College of Law,
Thiruvananthapuram.
“Confidential Information Session” pertains to the time in which the
participating teams will analyse the confidential information. This time the
paired mediators can discuss or plan the further strategy for the competition
round.
“Confidential Information” pertains to the essential key points provided to the
participating teams concerning the party they represent.
“General Information” pertains to factual information about a Competition
Session, which shall be available to all competitive Teams.
“Administrators” pertains to Legal Aid Clinic and team.
“Mediator” pertains to a participant who has enrolled or is appointed as a
Mediator
“Main Round” refers to the phase of the Competition Session instantly
pursuing the Confidential Information Session, where the Teams are
commissioned to reconcile the Competition Problem.
“Session Supervisor” pertains to the member/s of the Organizing Committee
appointed as such, in charge of supervising the steady procedure of every
Competition Session.
“Negotiating Team” pertains to a team comprising two participants - one
Counsel and one Client - from the same institution.
“Organizing Committee” – The Organizing Committee for the Competition
refers to Legal Aid Clinic and team.

1ST INTERNAL MEDIATION COMPETITION, 2023 7

 “Penalty” pertains to the reduction in marks or disqualification of participants or
any other disciplinary procedure taken by the Organizing Committee on
reporting any infringement of these regulations.
“Problem Committee” pertains to the Legal Aid Clinic and team, accountable
for drafting and participating in the Competition Problem(s).
“Advanced Rounds” refer to the Quarter-Final Round, Semi-Final Round and
Final Round.
“Registration Fee” pertains to the expense to be paid by Selected Teams for
participation in the competition.
“Room Coordinator” pertains to a member/s of the Organizing Committee
appointed as such, in charge of supervising the steady procedure of a special
Competition Room.
“Rule” pertains to a special individual regulation comprised in this Rulebook,
along with the sub-rules/ suggests thereunder. The Participants are considered
to understand and submit these regulations on the report of their enrolment in
the Competition.

1ST INTERNAL MEDIATION COMPETITION, 2023 8

REGISTRATION
The registration will be on a first-come-first-serve basis, up to a maximum of
20 teams.
Each team shall register for the competition by filling out the online
registration form latest by December 10, 2023. The online google form for
Registration that needs to be filled is available at:
https://forms.gle/9wLk9cQK5h72V5cEA
The registration form requires teams to specify the roles of each individual
member. Once registered, a team will not be permitted to vary the
composition of the team in any manner. Changes, if any, may only be made
with the express permission of the administrators (at their discretion), if the
due reason is shown for the same.
Team Codes will be allotted post-completion of all final registrations.
Allocation of sides for the preliminary rounds will be sent shortly post the
allotment of team codes
Payments shall be made at the office and upload the copy of the same in the
google forms

Registration Fees
The registration fee for the competition is INR 150/- for each team. This fee is
non – refundable.
There shall be no refund of the registration fee under any circumstance unless
the competition is called off.

Google form link : https://forms.gle/9wLk9cQK5h72V5cEA

1ST INTERNAL MEDIATION COMPETITION, 2023 9

SCORING
Negotiating Team

Marks
Criteria
Allotted

Opening Statement 10
(Expressing confidence in the process, skilful articulation of facts to put forth the case,
persuasive comments to influence the other party)

Constructive Approach
(Willingness to collaborate, taking initiative to build a problem - solving approach, 10
strategically sacrificing interests to build a relationship

Advocating Interests
(Assessment of one’s own strengths and weaknesses, identifying and developing client’s 10
real needs and interests, identifying common and conflicting interests)

Team Work and Coordination

(Effectiveness of collaboration, reliance and faith on each other’s ability, working
10
together as a team, communicating with each other, sharing of responsibility, providing
mutual support)

Use of Services of Mediator 10

(Timely use of mediators, Beneficial use of mediators, Listening to the mediators)

Effective Use of Confidential Information

(Decision on disclosure of confidential information, Timely and appropriate disclosure of 10
confidential information, Incorporating confidential information in Negotiation Strategy)

Body Language
(Display of appropriate emotions by the client, Display of professionalism, Listening 10
skills, Demeanour)

1ST INTERNAL MEDIATION COMPETITION, 2023 10

 Mutually Generating Creative Options
(Generating options to satisfy one’s needs and interests, efforts made to satisfy other’s 10
interests, non-judgmental approach, objective evaluation of options generated by other
party)

Negotiation Strategy
(Overall strategy developed to deal with the dispute, time spent on relation building,
10
information gathering, and slowly moving into negotiation; change of approach,
adaptability)

Time Management
(Ensuring judicial use of time in conference, adherence to the time divisions stipulated in 10
the Rules)

TOTAL 100

1ST INTERNAL MEDIATION COMPETITION, 2023 11

Mediator

Marks
Criteria
Allotted

Opening Statement
(Conveying the importance of the process, Tactics adopted to calm parties, Effective 15
explanation of the process with special reference to his/her role)

Creating an Appropriate Environment

(Laying down ground rules, nature of the approach, Making the parties comfortable, 10
establishing ‘negotiation’ environment, Building trust with parties)

Control Over the Session

(Laying down of effective agenda, Adherence to ground rules, assisting parties to move 10
forward in the session, Timely intervention)

Ability to Work as a Team

(Teamwork and Cooperation with co-mediator) 10

Conduct and Demeanour 10

(Body language, listening skills, Professionalism, display of patience

Facilitating Option Generation

(Approach adopted in assisting option generation, Steps taken to keep options realistic, 10
Encouraging the parties to generate win-win options)

Closing Statement
(Summarising the mediation session, Effective ending to the session) 10

Time Management
(Ensuring judicial use of time in conference and caucus, Adherence to the time divisions 15
stipulated in the Rules)

TOTAL 100

1ST INTERNAL MEDIATION COMPETITION, 2023 12

PENALTIES
Scouting or any other unethical/unprofessional conduct is strictly prohibited
and shall lead to immediate disqualification of the team.
Any infringement of the regulations will be punished by the Organizing
Committee, either by way of reduction of degrees or disqualifying the entire
Team from the Competition.
No team is allowed to use Mobile Phones, Laptops or any other devices during
the competition.

1ST INTERNAL MEDIATION COMPETITION, 2023 13

PRIZES AND AWARDS

WINNER INR 5000/-

1ST RUNNER UP INR 3000/-

BEST MEDIATOR INR 1000/-

BEST NEGOTIATING
INR 1000/-
PAIR

All the participants

shall be awarded
with certificates.

1ST INTERNAL MEDIATION COMPETITION, 2023 14

 ORGANISING COMMITTEE

Organising Committee

DIRECTOR
Adv. Joseph Venmanath

PRINCIPAL
Prof. Dr. John P. C

Faculty Co-ordiantor

Mr. George M.V.

Prof. Usha Kumari K.G.

Prof . Aiswarya
FOR ANY QUERIES ,YOU MAY CONTACT
THE STUDENT CO-ORDINATORS

POOJA V. S.
+91 7594067275

AMRUTHA PILLAI A. P.
+91 6238005105

A.VINAYAK PRASAD
+91 75590 20700

ARJUN V. NAIR
+91 9544072516

SHIBINA NAJUM
+91 80893 22101

Click on the icon

1ST INTERNAL MEDIATION COMPETITION, 2023 15