Team Disputandum in association with the Army institute of Law, Mohali conducted a virtual Legal Consultancy Competition open to the students of the institute. This competition aimed at promoting the development of the intricacies of the legal profession in the students as well as encouraging the growth of the students participating into a legal practitioner. Students were called upon to explain various aspects of the attorney-client relationship, build rapport, determine client goals and consider applicable law and options that may be available to the client.
It was a 3 day event consisting of 14 preliminary rounds which were held on August 13th, 2020 followed by the semi-finals held on August 14th, 2020. The final rounds were held on August 16th, 2020. The competition saw a participation of 14 teams comprising of 2 students each. The rounds were witnessed and judged by highly intellectual minds who guided the participants with their unbounded vision and wisdom. The 14 teams battled with great zeal and enthusiasm, putting their wit and research on the front lines providing for an enthralling experience for the participants and the judges alike. Out of the 14 participating teams, 4 teams made their way to the semifinal rounds.
The final rounds were judged by Sh. Atul Nanda, the Advocate General of Punjab. He was a prominent labour lawyer of his time and was designated as a Senior Advocate in 2011 and has since then appeared before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, Hon’ble Punjab & Haryana High Court, and various other High Courts of the country. Sh. Atul Nanda was Additional Advocate General,Punjab during the period 2002 -2006 and was also Special Counsel for the Government of India in the Supreme Court of India. The finalists gave it their all and performed impressively. They received valuable insights from the esteemed judge and were also encouraged to continue giving their best and learn from the experiences of the competition.
The students from University Institute Of Legal Studies, Punjab coming as clients also performed in an exemplary manner. All clients kept the participants on their toes and made them work hard for the prize. Ms. Kajal Sadana bagged the best client award.
The winning team comprised of Rituparna Ray(3rd year) and Ayushi Jaryal(3rd year) and they have been awarded with an Internship at Sai Krishna Associates, New Delhi. Each member of the winning team has also been gifted amazon vouchers, along with a certificate of appreciation and participation. The First Runners Up Team, comprising of Saumya Dhyani(3rd year) and Ishita Singh(3rd year) has been awarded with a paid internship/mentorship at Legal Wires for a time duration of 6 weeks, along with a certificate of appreciation and participation. The Best advocate Mr Aaryan is awarded with an Internship at Advani & Co. along with a certificate of appreciation.
The Moot Court Society of AIL consisting of, Mr. Rajesh Jha, Ms. Aafreen Choudhary, Ms. Aishwarya Sethi, Ms. Dilisha Dileep Nair, Ms. Nikitha and Mr.Shiekhar also helped making this event a. success. All in all, this event in all its glory was a very good opportunity for the students to learn the workings of being an advocate and were able to inculcate in themselves, the skills of analysing the given problem and coming up with a solution for the same.
The Blue Pencil congratulates the winning teams, all the participants, the clients and the organisers; thanks the team Disputandum for this generous opportunity and wishes them all, good luck for all future endeavours.
This write-up has been prepared by Ishita (IIIrd Year).
