COMPETITION

IN COLLABORATION WITH
NMIMS University possesses an extensive presence, with
multiple campuses across the nation, including Indore,
Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Navi Mumbai,
Shirpur and Dhule. The academic offerings of School of
Law encompass a comprehensive range of
undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs,
meticulously designed to cover a broad spectrum of
disciplines.

With a focus on translating knowledge into action, the

Indore campus provides mentorship under learned,
research-focused, and industry-experienced faculties and
fosters strong industry connections. NMIMS has evolved
into a globally focused learning hub, prioritizing
program development, global collaborations,
placements, and holistic student development. The
university places a strong emphasis on diversity,
innovation, and continuous improvement to offer
students a comprehensive education aligned with global
standards and exposure.
The School of Law at NMIMS, Indore aims to produce
competent legal professionals with a strong foundation in
For the mediator
both theoretical and practical domains of law. Our School
hosts numerous co-curricular, extra-curricular and cultural
activities periodically for chiseling the personality of the
students. The School of Law boasts an exceptional roster of
faculty members in the legal field, each with a wealth of
experience and prestigious positions. From seasoned
practitioners to esteemed scholars, our faculty members bring
a diverse array of perspectives to the classroom. Many hold
advanced degrees from renowned institutions and have
worked extensively in various sectors of the legal profession.
The school hosts various activities like Moot Sessions, Client
Counselling Sessions, Mock Trials, Mock Arbitration &
Mediation events, Debates, Conferences and many more to
make significant contributions in this arena on a global scale.
SAMADHAN- The Alternative Dispute Resolution
Committee (ADRC) of the School of Law, NMIMS, Indore,
was established with the goal of promoting interest and
expertise in the emerging field of ADR. The Committee
aims to provide law students with a comprehensive
understanding of Arbitration, Mediation, Client
Counselling, Negotiation, and Pre-litigation– all integral
components of Alternative Dispute Resolution.

The committee achieves its objectives by organizing

events featuring distinguished experts, having
collaborated with eminent law firms such as SAMVAD
PARTNERS, HSA ADVOCATES, and SRIVASTAVA &
CHOWKSEY in its past events. ADRC’s successful events,
including Intra-Client Counseling and informative
workshops have contributed in enhancing students'
learning experiences and bridging the gap between
academic knowledge and practical application.
 CHIEF PATRONS

DR. DURGAMBINI PATEL

Dean, SVKM’S NMIMS Kirit P. Mehta School of Law

For the mediator

DR. ASHUTOSH HAJELA

DR. ANSHUMAN JASWAL
Director, Associate Dean,
SVKM’S NMIMS, Indore Campus SVKM’S NMIMS School of Law, Indore

FACULTY COORDINATOR

PROF. SAGAR JAIN

Faculty Coordinator,
SAMADHAN - The Alternative Dispute Resolution
Committee
Mediation serves as one of the prominent form of
alternative dispute resolution (ADR), offering a
constructive and voluntary method for parties to resolve
conflicts outside traditional court processes. In
mediation, a neutral third party, the mediator, facilitates
communication and guides the disputing parties toward
a mutually agreeable resolution.

This competition is a structured event that offers

participants to, engage in mock mediation sessions to
develop and showcase their skills in resolving disputes.
The competition evaluates participant’s ability to
facilitate communication, manage conflicts, and reach
agreements, emphasizing key aspects of mediation
practice.
 11th March, 2024
Commencement of Registration

03rd April, 2024

Closing of Registration

03rd April, 2024

Release of Mediation Problem
(Preliminary Round)
IMPORTANT
DATES
04th April, 2024
Training session

05th April, 2024

Preliminary Rounds (Online)

06th April, 2024

Preliminary Rounds- Result
Declaration
 08th April, 2024
Travel Form Submission

08th April, 2024

Problem Release for Quarter, Semi
and Final Round

IMPORTANT
12th April, 2024
Inaugral Ceremony DATES

13th April, 2024

Quarter Final and Semi-Final

14th April, 2024

Final Rounds and
Validictory Ceremony
A. DEFINITIONS

1. “ADRC” refers to the Alternative Dispute Resolution

Committee, established under the aegis of School of Law,
NMIMS, Indore.
2. “Advanced Round” refers to Quarter-Finals, Semi-
Finals and Final rounds of the Competition which shall be
conducted offline in the campus of NMIMS, Indore
3. “Competition” refers to the first National Mediation
Competition of School of Law, NMIMS, Indore.
4. Clarifications” refers to the queries arising out of the
mediation problem that would only be accepted and
reverted to in the timeline prescribed.
5. “Caucus” refers to a separate meeting between the
Mediator and a Client and Counsel, in which they disclose
or elaborate their confidential information. During the
Caucus the overall time of the Mediation Session continues
to run.
6. “Confidential Information” refers to the factual
information, given exclusively to one Negotiating Team, in
accordance with the rules of the competition.
7. “General Information” refers to the background factual
information of the Problem for the use by each Party, the
Judges, and the Mediator.
8. “Hybrid Mode” refers to the combination of both virtual
and offline mode.
9. “Judge” refers to a Professional selected by the
Organising Committee to evaluate and score the Teams’
performance during a Mediation Session according to the
Competition Rules.
10. “Judging Criteria” refers to the criteria set out in the
Score Sheet and criteria defined in marking scheme.
11. “Mediation Session” refers to a structured and
facilitated scenario where two parties in dispute work with
a mediator to collaboratively explore and generate
mutually acceptable resolutions to their issues.
12. “Mediating Pair” refers to the pair of client and
counsel in the Participating Team.
13. “Mediator” refers to a member of a team of three who
shall be acting individually in the capacity of a mediator
for the competition.
14. “Organising Committee” refers to the members and
volunteers of ADRC in charge of organizing and
managing the Competition.
15. “Participating Teams” refers to and includes only
the bona-fide representatives of the
University/College/Institute who have applied and
registered for the Competition by complying with the
procedure prescribed.
16. “Penalty” refers to points deducted for any violation
of the Rules according to the competition rules.
17. “Qualifying Rounds” refers to Preliminary Round I
and Preliminary Round II of the Competition.
18. “Requesting Party” refers to the party in the
proposition who initiated the mediation option.
19. “Responding Party” refers to the party responding to
the request for mediation in the mediation proceedings.
20. “Team” refers to the Mediating Pair and Mediator
representing their Institute.
21. “UTC” refers to the Unique Team Code allotted to the
team which would be used to identify them throughout
the Competition.
B. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1. Only Law Colleges/Universities recognized by the Bar

Council of India are eligible to participate.
2. Each University may nominate up to 2 teams to
participate in the competition.
3. Only bonafide students pursuing 3-year/5-year LLB
degree programs, during the current academic year are
eligible to participate.
4. No Cross University teams shall be eligible to
participate in this competition.

C. COMPOSITION OF TEAMS

1. A team is to be composed of three (3) members - a

mediator and a client-counsel pair forming the
Negotiating Team.
2. It is important to note that the roles of the mediator
and the client-counsel pair cannot be swapped during
any round.

D. FORMAT OF THE COMPETITION

1. MEDIATION SESSION -

i. A Mediation Session shall comprise two client-counsel

pairs in opposition to resolve a dispute in the presence of
two mediators. Each mediator will be individually
marked. The client-counsel pairs shall be denoted as
Negotiating teams.
ii. Either the mediators or any member of the respective
teams is authorized to initiate a caucus.
iii. Each round will entail with different set of facts and
distinct confidential information designated for each
opposing Negotiating Team, which will be provided
before the commencement of the round.
iv. The Preliminary and Quarter Final Round will have a
duration of 45 minutes each, while the Semi-Final and
Final Rounds will extend to 60 minutes each.
v. A maximum of two (2) caucuses may be called. The
maximum time allocated for caucuses is 10 minutes for
the Preliminary and Quarter-Final rounds, and 16
minutes for Semi-Final Rounds, and Final rounds.

2. CAUCUSES –

A Caucus can take place between a mediator and both

members of the Requesting Party or the Responding
Party. During each Mediation session, the Mediator and
the Competing Teams have the right to call for a Caucus
under the following provisions:

i. The maximum time limit for a caucus is 10 minutes (5

minutes per team) out of 45 minutes during the Prelims
and Quarters.
ii. The maximum time limit for a caucus is 16 minutes (8
minutes per team) out of 60 minutes in Semis and Finals.
iii. The Caucus can be requested by either the Mediator or
the Client or Counsel of either Team.
iv. The Mediator cannot reject the call for a Caucus
initiated by the teams, while the teams may have
discretion to accept it when initiated by the Mediator.
v. Each side or Mediator may request only ONE caucus
during each Round.
vi. Teams going for Caucus will be sent to a separate
room to maintain confidentiality.
3. LANGUAGE

The official and only language of the Competition shall

be English.

E. MEDIATION PROBLEM AND CONFIDENTIAL

INFORMATION

1. THEME:

All the problems shall be based on the following subjects:

a. Contract Law
b. Civil/Commercial Law
c. Family Law
d. Competition Law

2. DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION:

2.1. For Prelims and Quarter-Final Rounds - 30 Minutes

Prior
2.2. For Semi-Final and Final Rounds - 45 Minutes Prior

3. The teams shall not disclose their confidential

information to any other participant throughout the
competition. Disclosure of confidential information by
any team before or after their round shall be grounds for
immediate disqualification from the competition.
F. TRAINING SESSION

The ADRC, School of Law, NMIMS, Indore will conduct

an online training session for all participating teams
before the commencement of the competition. These
sessions aim to equip teams with the requisite
knowledge and skills essential for navigating the
complexities associated with mediation.

G. GENERAL PROTOCOLS

1. Dress Code - The Dress code for the Competition is

Court Formals. The use of a band/robe/collar is
forbidden.

2. Modifications- The Administrators reserve the right

to amend, alter, or vary in any manner whatsoever, the
Rules governing the Competition, which would be
communicated to the teams within a reasonable period.

3. Clarifications-
a. All Communications, Queries, and Clarifications
concerning the Competition may be emailed to
SamadhanADRC.solindore@nmims.edu within the
time allotted for the same. The Teams making such
communications, raising queries, or requesting
clarifications must mention their Team Code in the
content of the email.

b. The Clarifications shall be closed two days prior to the

respective rounds.
4. Communications- Any communication made, or
information conveyed to any member of a team shall be
deemed to be communicated to the whole team.

5. Conflict of Interest- The Participants must not only

disclose any potential conflicts of interest promptly to
the competition organizers but also refrain from
participating in cases where a conflict of interest may
compromise neutrality or impartiality.

6. Grievance Redressal- The Organizing Committee

shall have the discretion to interpret the regulations as it
deems fit, in the best interests of both the participants
and the organizers. In case of any Grievance during the
competition, all decisions taken by the committee will be
binding.
1. The event shall be conducted in a Hybrid Mode, i.e. the
Preliminary Round shall be conducted online, and
Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, and Final rounds shall be
conducted in the offline mode.

2. Preliminary rounds will consist of two rounds i.e.

Prilimiary I and Priliminary II, which shall be conducted
in the Online Mode. Each round shall be conducted for 45
minutes followed by Judges’ feedback.

3. The top 8 teams from the Preliminary Rounds shall

qualify for the Quarter-Final Round based on the
cumulative team score of both Preliminary Rounds. The
top 4 teams from the Quarter-Final Rounds shall qualify
for the Semi-Final Rounds.

4. The top two teams from the Semi-Final Rounds shall

go to the Finals based on the cumulative team scores in
the Semi-Final Rounds.

5. In case of a tie, for a Negotiating Team, the team with

the higher marks in the Opening Statement criteria shall
be given preference. If a tie persists, then the score under
Teamwork and Coordination shall be considered.

6. In case of a tie for Mediators, the Mediator with the

higher marks in the Opening Statement criteria shall be
given preference. If a tie persists, then the score under
Time Management shall be considered.

7. All decisions taken by the Judges in case of a tie shall

be binding and final.
FOR THE CLIENT-COUNSEL PAIR

Opening Statement 10

Constructive Approach 10

Advocating Interest 10

Teamwork and Coordination 10

Use of Services of Mediator 10

Effective Use of Confidential 10

Information

Body Language 10

Mutually Generating Creative 10

Options

Negotiation Strategy 10

Time Management 10

TOTAL 100
 FOR THE MEDIATOR

Opening Statement 15

Creating Appropriate
10
Environment

Control Over the Session 10

Ability to Work as a Team 10

Eliciting Information from

10
Mediating Pair

Conduct and Demeanor 10

Falicitating Option Generation 10

Closing Statement 10

Time Management 15

TOTAL 100
1. Registration Link: Interested Teams must register for
the competition using the following link:

https://forms.gle/jYT9xSgEFtbqsZPn8

2. Payment: The registration fee of INR 2,500 for

Preliminary Rounds (Virtual Mode) and an additional fee of
INR 2,500 (Accommodation & Food) for the qualifying
Rounds (Offline Mode) must be submitted. Payment can be
made directly to the below-mentioned bank details.

The deadline for registration and payment is 03rd, April,

2024 (EOD). Kindly ensure that both registration and
payment are completed before this date to secure your
participation in the competition.

3. A maximum registration limit of 24 teams has been

set, on a first-come-first-served basis.

4. The team composition as mentioned during registration,

must be maintained consistently throughout the
competition. Any alterations must be promptly
communicated to the organizing committee before 03rd,
April 2024.

5. The Organizing Committee will send a confirmation of

participation email after verifying the entire process as
enlisted under the clauses.

6. Upon the successful completion of all final registrations,

teams will be assigned their Unique Team Codes.
7. The teams, qualifying for the Quarter-Final rounds are
required to complete the remaining payment and send their
travel details via mail to the committee on
SamadhanADRC.solindore@nmims.edu lately by 08th,
April, 2024 EOD.

8. In case of any withdrawal after making the payment of the

registration fee, the same shall not be refunded.

9. Any failure or non-adherence with the procedure may be

treated as a withdrawal from the competition and no claim of
whatsoever nature shall be entertained thereafter.

1. NMIMS, Indore, situated at Super Corridor Gandhi Nagar

Road, Indore 452001, India, ensures convenient
accessibility from both the Railway Station and the Airport.
2. Teams qualifying for the Quarter-Finals are required to
provide their precise arrival time to the organizing
committee.
3. The University will arrange accommodations for Qualifying
teams during the stipulated duration. Organizers will
provide essential services, including Meals and stay
throughout the competition all at an additional cost of INR
2,500.
1. Respect for Parties and Colleagues- Treat all parties,
judges, and organizers with respect and courtesy. Avoid
language or behavior that may be perceived as
disrespectful, discriminatory, or offensive to any
individual or group.

2. Professionalism and Ethical Conduct - Participants

must conduct themselves professionally and ethically,
adhering to principles such as impartiality, neutrality,
confidentiality, and respect for all parties.

3. Anonymity - Teams must keep their unique Team

Code confidential, using it for all communication related
to the competition except with administrators. Disclosing
identity or attempting to do so will result in immediate
disqualification.

4. Scouting- Participants must refrain from discussing

case details or confidential information outside of the
competition setting and ensure that all records, notes, or
information obtained during the competition are kept
confidential and not shared without explicit permission.

5. Integrity and Fairness - Participants must maintain

the integrity of the mediation process, avoiding actions
that undermine fairness or impartiality. Teams must
respect judges' decisions and refrain from disputing or
undermining their judgments.
6. Compliance- All participants are expected to comply
with this code of conduct and any instructions or
decisions made by the Organizing Committee or
Administration.

7. Disqualification - Participants can be disqualified for

violating the code of conduct or competition rules,
including cheating or unethical behavior. The Organizing
Committee has the authority to take prompt
disqualification or other disciplinary actions as deemed
necessary.

8. Identity Disclosure- The Participants shall not at any

stage of the Tournament disclose the name of their
institution to the judges and shall have to use their
assigned team code. Non-compliance with this rule will
result in immediate disqualification of the team.

9. Powers of OC: In case of any changes to the rules, the

Organizers Committee shall communicate the details to
the participants. All discretionary power for the
interpretation of rules and the outcomes of the
Competition rounds vests with the Organizers. The
decision of the OC shall be final and binding.
ECONOMIC LAWS PRACTICE
Established in 2001 by distinguished legal professionals
across various disciplines, Economic Laws Practice (ELP)
stands as a prominent full-service Indian law firm. This
distinguished firm boasts a distinctive blend of professionals,
including lawyers, chartered accountants, cost accountants,
economists, and company secretaries, allowing them to
deliver services seamlessly across different practices with
unparalleled expertise. ELP holds a unique position among
Indian law firms by offering comprehensive skill sets
covering transactional, advisory, litigation, regulatory, and
tax matters.

NISHITH DESAI ASSOCIATES

Nishith Desai Associates stands out as one of Asia's leading
Innovative Law Firm, catering to global companies with
offices in key locations like Mumbai, Palo Alto, Bangalore,
Singapore, New Delhi, Munich, and New York, firm operate
as a research and strategy-driven international firm. Their
specialized team offers integrated advice on legal, regulatory,
and tax matters, leveraging insights from allied industries.

The firm is consistently recognized as one of the Most

Innovative Law Firms globally, NDA proudly received the
Financial Times – RSG award four times consecutively (2014-
2017) as the Most Innovative Indian Law Firm.
SINGHANIA & PARTNERS
Singhania & Partners LLP (Ed. 1999) is a prominent full-
service law firm in India. The firm is recommended by
reputed legal directories such as Chambers and Partners,
Legal500, Indian Business Law Journal, Benchmark
Litigation, and Asialaw Profiles across practice areas
including Arbitration-Litigation, Corporate-M&A, Banking &
Finance, Projects and Energy, Intellectual Property, and
Employment practice.

As the firm steps into its 25th year, their team is 100+
professionals strong with ranked practices in Arbitration,
Litigation, Project Finance, Corporate & Commercial and
Intellectual Property Rights.
MEDIATEGURU
MediateGuru, a distinguished institute in the
realm of alternative dispute resolution is a
dedicated community committed to facilitating amicable
resolutions through expert mediation and arbitration
services.

Beyond their core services, MediateGuru plays a pivotal role

in enriching the ADR field through a series of meticulously
curated events, competitions, and conferences. These
initiatives are designed to foster professional development,
encourage knowledge sharing, and cultivate the next
generation of resolution experts by engaging with industry
thought leaders at their workshops.

IAMC

International Arbitration and Mediation Centre (IAMC),

Hyderabad has been set up as a public charitable trust
authored by the then Chief Justice of India in 2021 and since
then its services have been utilized by multiple
stakeholders. IAMC stands as a beacon for alternative
dispute resolution in the Indian legal landscape. Established
to provide a robust platform for arbitration and mediation,
IAMC embodies excellence and innovation in resolving
disputes efficiently and expeditiously. IAMC comprises of
various stakeholders such eminent jurists, seasoned
practitioners, and subject matter experts, ensuring a
diverse and comprehensive approach to dispute resolution.
YCM
YCM India pioneers a revolutionary initiative,
establishing a community of dedicated
professionals, students, and mediators commited
to fostering peace and pursuing careers in dispute
resolution.

YCM places a strategic focus on conflict management as the

paramount process for both dispute resolution and
prevention. Through comprehensive training, individuals
are equipped with conflict management skills, enabling
them to navigate everyday conflicts and reach outcomes
that align with their preferences. YCM provides
certification as a qualified youth conflict manager and
mediator through its intensive training programs and by
establishing a network of youth conflict managers and
mediators.

LAWCTOPUS LAW SCHOOL

The ed-tech vertical, Lawctopus Law School (LLS) teaches

more than 3000 learners every month. With a rating of
92.5/100, LLS' practical, online courses teach skills such as
legal research, contract drafting, IP law, and more.

It consist of a team of lawyers, law firmites, faculty,

pedagogy enthusiasts, designers, and technologists with a
mission to enable informed and inspired careers.
LAWCTOPUS

Lawctopus, started in 2010, is India's leading online media

and education portal for law students and young lawyers.
The media vertical, Lawctopus.com, reaches to nearly 4 lakh
readers every month. On the media site, content such as
law-related conferences, workshops, internships, jobs, and
career advisory pieces and blogs make Lawctopus the young
lawyer's go-to friend and guide!

MANUPATRA

Manupatra is India's premier online research service for the

legal community. Manupatra enables legal professionals to
retrieve cases, statutes, and other documents from
Manupatra's vast library of legal and business materials. It
operates in Legal Tech, SAAS, E-Learning, Analytics,
Enterprise MoSSbility, Legal Research. As a digital pioneer,
Manupatra was the first to offer electronic accessibility of
India’s and International legislative, regulatory and
procedural materials through an exhaustive database.
 WINNER MEDIATING PAIR
Cash Prize of ₹20,000
Certificate of Achievement

RUNNER-UP MEDIATING PAIR

Cash Prize of ₹12,000
Certificate of Merit

BEST MEDIATOR
Cash Prize of ₹7,000
Certificate of Achievement

RUNNER-UP MEDIATOR
Cash Prize of ₹5,000
Certificate of Merit

Position holders will get upto 25% discount on any

Manupatra Academy Courses.
20% scholarship code to all participants of the event for all
lawctopus courses including the subscription plan.

NOTE: All the above - mentioned position holders of the competition may have the opportunity of
internship at the below mentioned firms. Specific details regarding internship shall be shared
during the competition.
A. The registration fee for the competition is INR 2500 per
team. Participants have the choice to transfer the fees by the
following link or QR Code
https://nmims.edu/payments/final/dataFrom.php

B. Teams can also transfer the fees online through NEFT or

another available method to the following account details:

i. Bank Account Number: 2311578254

ii. IFSC Code: KKBK0000661
iii. Bank Name: Kotak Mahindra Bank
iv. Branch: Juhu, Vile Parle West, Mumbai

C. After the completion of the registration process, teams are

supposed to mail the Payment Details, Team Composition,
and College Affiliation before 03rd April, 2024 on -
SamadhanADRC.solindore@nmims.edu
 STUDENT CONVENOR
MS. ISHITA JAIN

STUDENT CO-CONVENOR
MR. KESHAV MITTAL

STUDENT ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

MS. BHAKTI GOTHWAL
MR. YASHWIN AGARWAL
MS. PRIYA CHOUDHARY
MS.ForPRAGYTA
the mediator
GUPTA
MS. NUPUR JAJOO
MS. RISHIKA AGARWAL
MS. OJAL JAIN
Ishita Jain (Convenor):
+91-9425074535

Keshav Mittal (Co-Convenor):

+91-8439235442

Priya Choudhary (Core Member):

+91-9892139997

Nupur Jajoo (Core Member):

+91-7223881949

SAMADHANADRC.SOLINDORE@NMIMS.EDU

@SAMADHAN_NMIMS (VISIT US)

SAMADHAN - THE ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE

RESOLUTION COMMITTEE (ADRC) (VISIT US)