Karnavati University is a State Private University dedicated to excellence in teaching and focused on interdisciplinary learning. Spread over 33 acres of land, the University is located in Uvarsad near Gandhinagar. Karnavati University was granted Private University status in March 2017 by the state of Gujarat through the Gujarat Private Universities Act, 2017.

Unitedworld School of Law is a constituent school of Karnavati University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. UWSL offers interdisciplinary law programs namely, BB.A. LL.B. (Hons.) and B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) with various specializations like IPR, Business Law, Criminal Law, International Law, LL.M. as well as doctoral programs. UWSL in a short span of its existence has adopted diverse strategies to create a lively pedagogic environment. The Karnavati University Moot Court Society (KUMCS) is a student run committee under the guidance of Faculty Coordinators, which seeks to channelize the students on the mooting path

The Bar Council of India is an apex body for the entire legal profession constituted under the Advocates Act, 1961. It has 22 members including the Attorney General and Solicitor General who are ex-officio members. All the State Bar Councils, which comprise representatives elected by the Advocates on the roll practicing in that State, has one representative elected from amongst the members of the State Council in the Bar Council of India. Certain States which have common High Courts jointly have one member in the Bar Council of India. Among the functions of the BCI are regulating enrolment of new members to the Bar, enforcing discipline and standards of ethics for the members of the profession, promoting welfare of advocates and maintaining standards of legal education in consultation with universities teaching law for discharging these functions. It has constituted several committees which meet in Delhi and outside as often as required. Rules have been formulated under powers conferred by the Advocates Act and are enforced through the State Bar Councils. The funds of the BCI come from its share of the enrolment fee collected from advocates by the State Bar Councils. The office of the BCI is located in Delhi in its own premises. As an independent body representing the second largest legal profession in the world, the Bar Council of India commands great respect and influence within the professional circles in India as well as outside.

The Bar Council of India Trust (BCIT) was established by the Bar Council of India with the noble objective of promoting legal education, research, and welfare of legal professionals. Its primary focus is on establishing model law schools, offering legal aid to the underprivileged, publishing law books and reports, and supporting the well-being of its members. Since its inception, the BCIT has been unwavering in its pursuit of enhancing standards in legal education and the legal profession. It funds various programs that contribute to the betterment of the legal community, and these endeavors are made possible through the interest earned on the sum transferred by the Bar Council of India to the Trust. One of the significant contributions of the BCIT is the publication of the “Indian Bar Review,” a quarterly journal that caters to the academic and professional interests of the legal fraternity. The journal reaches a wide audience of regular subscribers within the profession and beyond. Additionally, the Trust has published books covering diverse legal subjects, such as Constitutional Law, Legal Profession, Legal Education, Taxation Law, Criminal Procedure, and Professional Ethics. The BCIT’s commitment to elevating legal education is exemplified by its joint venture with the Bar Council of India in establishing the National Law School of India University in Bangalore in 1986. This pioneering institution introduced the 5-year integrated law degree program for the first time in India, which has since gained immense popularity and triggered a transformative revolution in legal education across the country. Expanding its visionary efforts further, the Trust achieved another milestone in 2022 by establishing the India International University of Legal Education & Research in Goa. This innovative university offers an integrated law degree program that encompasses theory, research, and practical teachings, aiming to produce well-rounded graduates ready to contribute to the legal profession, whether as advocates, academics, judges, or researchers. The institution also seeks to globalize Indian legal education, providing students with comprehensive tools and skills to succeed in their chosen paths. The BCIT continues to promote continuous learning and specialization among advocates through its summer workshops under the continuing education scheme. These workshops not only facilitate knowledge and skill updates but also support professional advancement. Additionally, the Trust actively produces reading materials on various legal topics, supporting the ongoing legal education efforts by the State Bar Councils. Another commendable initiative of the Trust is the training and fellowship scheme, which selects and places junior advocates with seasoned professionals for professional growth and development. Moreover, the BCIT contributes to the enhancement of advocacy skills and the quality of legal education by sponsoring an annual inter-university moot court competition. In conclusion, the Bar Council of India Trust stands as a beacon of excellence and progress in the legal sphere. Through its educational and research endeavors, publication initiatives, support for legal aid, and promotion of professional development, it plays a pivotal role in nurturing the legal community and fostering a brighter future for the legal profession in India.

Dear participants, On behalf of the Bar Council of India and the Bar Council of India Trust, I extend my warmest greetings to each one of you as you prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey of legal prowess and intellectual growth at the Bar Council of India National Moot Court Competition, hosted at Unitedworld School of Law, Karnavati University, Gandhinagar. Mooting, the art that transcends mere debating or arguing, 1s a harmonious blend of science and art that every aspiring law student must adeptly master. Through this moot court program, you will get acquainted with the manifold etiquettes, intricacies, and technicalities inherent in mooting, paving the way for you to emerge as accomplished lawyers’ right from the nascent stages of your legal education. As you delve into the heart of this competition, remember that mooting is not about pursuing victory through any means, as often seen in debates. Instead, it is about presenting cogent arguments fortified by irrefutable evidence, delivered with utmost humility, and adhering scrupulously to the tenets of mooting culture and decorum. Moot court, a simulated judicial arena, provides an ideal milieu for you to cultivate the art of mooting or lawyering. Within this simulated setting, you will espouse your cases before an august tribunal comprising esteemed judges, who will rigorously scrutinize your arguments with an array of probing inquiries. Remember that you are not alone in this endeavor. The two pivotal figures of the mooter’s team - the counsel and co-counsel - along with the two researchers play a crucial role in orchestrating a compelling presentation. The counsel will lead the oral argumentation, while the researchers will diligently undertake exhaustive research to fortify the presentation. Historically, moot court finds its origin in the assimilation of British legal practices following India’s Independence. Over time, it became an indispensable pedagogical facet of formal legal education, with the Bar Council of India pioneering the organization of moot court competitions in 1981. Conduct yourselves with decorum and elegance, epitomized by formal attire, unblemished deportment, and the prefatory salutation, “May it please your honor.” The art of persuasive storytelling should enliven the presentation of facts, with legal arguments firmly grounded in statutory foundations rather than subjective merits. In preparation for moot court, meticulously peruse the case facts, articulate arguments from both petitioner and respondent perspectives, and assimilate valuable insights from your peers’ experiences. Engage in pragmatic training modules, workshops, and mock moot court sessions to hone your oral advocacy skills and presentation prowess. Extensive research is critical, acquaint yourselves thoroughly with competition regulations, dissect the moot problem, and meticulously peruse relevant statutes and precedents. Remember to reserve citations exclusively for legally binding judgments and decisions, refraining from citing non-authoritative sources before the adjudicator. The journey ahead is a transformative experience, enriched by the sagacious insights of accomplished mooters and shared with peers across the legal fraternity. Foregoing an excessive usage of the personal pronoun “I,” embrace the salutation “Much obliged” in lieu of the perfunctory “thank you.” We believe that this moot court program will serve as an exemplar of informative and engaging pedagogy, nurturing your knowledge and skills as you participate in this esteemed competition. Wishing you the best in your preparations and looking forward to witnessing your excellence at the Bar Council of India National Moot Court Competition. Best Wishes,


Shri Manan Kumar Mishra
Chairman Bar Council of India
Chairman Bar Council of India Trust

1. LANGUAGE
The official language for the Moot Court Competition shall be English only.
2. ELIGIBILITY The Competition is open to all students, enrolled bona - fide on a regular basis in an undergraduate/ postgraduate law course or its equivalent conducted by any recognized College/ Institution/ University.
3. TEAM COMPOSITION Each participating university/college/institute can nominate a team consisting of three student members, out of whom, two will be speakers and one will be the researcher.
Any additional member will not be entitled to local hospitality. He shall also be not entitled to any kind of prize/ award in the competition. Note: During the registration process, each team must designate two speakers: Speaker 1 and Speaker 2. These designations must remain the same throughout the entire competition. Any attempt to switch or substitute these speakers after registration will result in either a deduction of marks or disqualification from the competition at the discretion of the committee.
4. DRESS CODE Ladies: White shirt and black pant/black skirt along with black tie, black coat and black shoes. Gentlemen: White shirt, black trousers, black tie along with black coat and black shoes.
Strict adherence to the dress code is solicited. Failure will result in disqualification.
5. ACCOMODATION Accommodation shall be provided to the participants only on the days of the Competition. Teams that intend to arrive prior to or leave after the specified dates are required to make their own arrangements.
Teams shalI be responsible for their transportation to and from the airport/railway station/bus station to the accommodation.
6. REGISTRATION
Registration Fees – Rs 3000/-
The registration of team is considered to be complete, once the registration fee is paid and the registration form is e-mailed with all necessary details.
Registration fees once paid will not be refunded.
Every team which has registered under the Rules shall be allotted a unique code. Once the unique code has been allotted, every team must use the team code for any communication with the Organizers during the course of the Competition.
7. MODE OF PAYMENT Online Payment: The Online Payment of Participation Fees can be done by making payment on the below Account:
Account Name: Unitedworld School of Law A Unit of KMET
PAN No.: AAATK7408C
Bank Name: YES Bank Ltd
Branch: Bhuyangdev, Ahmedabad-380061
Saving Account No.: 070988700000175
IFSC Code: YESB0000709

The formal commencement of the competition shall be from the afternoon of 18th October 2024 The competition will start with orientation and draw of lots on 18th October 2024 followed by inaugural ceremony on 19th October 2024. The Preliminary Rounds and Quarter finals will take place on 19th October 2024. The Semi-finals and finals will be conducted on the 20th October 2024 followed by the valedictory function. Certificates and prizes will be distributed only during the valedictory function. No prize/certificate will be given to participants who are not present at the valedictory session.

PRELIMINARY ROUNDS

There shall be two preliminary rounds on 19th October 2024, and every team shall be given the opportunity to argue for each side. The Lots for the Preliminary rounds will be drawn on 18th October 2024. The Petitioner shall be allotted a total of 15 minutes to speak, including any surrebuttals. The Respondent shall be allotted 15 minutes for rebuttal and arguments. Any extension of time beyond the specified period shall be subject to the discretion of the judges. The division of time between the speakers is the discretion of the team members, subject to a maximum of 8 minutes for one speaker. Before the commencement of each round, each team shall indicate to the ‘Time Keeper’ as to how they wish to allocate their time. At the end of the preliminary rounds, the top 8 teams will qualify for the Quarter Finals. The top 8 teams will be selected on the basis of number of rounds won. A team shall be credited with a win, if its total marks in the respective round are higher than those of its opponent team. In case of a tie, the combined total marks of both the preliminary rounds shall be considered. The team with the higher score will advance to the Quarter Finals. If the situation of the tie still persists, then it would be resolved by considering the memorial scores.

QUARTER FINALS

The Quarter Finals will be a ranking round and will take place on 19th October 2024. The top 4 teams, with the highest total scores shall qualify for the semi-final rounds. The Total Scores shall include the marks of the memorial. The side to be represented by a team shall be determined by way of draw of lots with the teams picking the lots after the completion of the preliminary rounds. Each team shall get a total time of 20 minutes to present their case and this shall include the time for ‘Rebuttal’ and ‘Surrebuttal’. Any extension of time beyond the specified period shall be subject to the discretion of the judges. The division of time between the speakers is the discretion of the team members, subject to a maximum of 12 minutes for one speaker. Before the commencement of the round, each team shall indicate to the ‘Time Keeper’ as to how they wish to allocate their time.

SEMI FINALS

The Semi-Finals will be held on 20th October 2024. The Semi-Finals will be a ranking round. The top 2 teams, with the highest total scores for the Final rounds. The Total Scores shall include the marks of the memorial. The side to be presented by the team shall be determined by way of draw of lots with the teams picking the lots after the completion of quarter-finals rounds. Each team shall get a total of 25 minutes to present their case. This time will include the time for ‘Rebuttal’ and ‘Surrebuttal’. Any extension of time beyond the specified period shall be subject to the discretion of the judges. The division of time between the speakers in the discretion of the team members, subject to a maximum of 14 minutes for one speaker. Before the commencement of the round, each team shall indicate to the ‘Time Keeper’ as to how they wish to allocate their time.

FINALS

The Final will be held after the Semi-Finals on 20th October 2024. A team will be Credited with a win in the Final if the total marks are higher than those of its opponent team. The Total Scores shall include the marks of the memorial. Each team shall get a total of 30 minutes to present their case. This time will include the time for ‘Rebuttal’ and ‘Surrebuttal’. The division of time between the speakers is the discretion of the team members, subject to a maximum of 18 minutes for one speaker. Before the commencement of the round, each team shall indicate to the ‘Time Keeper’ as to how they wish to allocate their times.

1. GENERAL GUIDELINES
(a) All memorials submitted for all purposes of the competition shall strictly adhere to the rules of the Competition.
(b) Each Team participating in the Competition must prepare one Memorial on behalf of Petitioner(s)/ Appellant(s) and one on behalf of the Respondent(s).
(c) Each team has to submit 5 hard copies of the Memorials from each side at the time of registration on 18th October, 2024. Non-compliance will entail a penalty of deduction of 10 points per copy not submitted.
(d) The mode of citation throughout the memorial shall be 19th Edition of Harvard Bluebook.
(e) Appellant/Petitioner memorials are required to have a Blue Cover and Respondent memorials are required to have a Bright Red cover.
(f) The memorials shall not contain any form of identification apart from the team code. If any such identification or mark, symbol, etc. which has the effect of identifying the team is found on the memorial, then it shall result in instant disqualification.
(g) The hard copy of memorials must be exact replica of the softcopy submitted with the Organizers. Any difference in the same will result in disqualification from the Competition.
(h) Each Team must send a soft copy of their memorials, in PDF format only, for evaluation by 15th October 2024 before 11:59 P.M. (Timings are in IST) to kumcs.uwsI@ karnavatiuniversity.edu.in with the subject "Memorials for UWSL National Moot Court Competition 2024 " followed by TEAM CODE. Memorials submitted beyond the deadline shall incur a liability of 10 points for the first day of delay and 10 points each day till 17th October 2024. No extension of time will be granted with respect to this deadline.
(i) Memorials shall be sent as an attachment with the mail in the form of single file for each side of the memorial.

2. GUIDELINES FOR FORMATTING
All memorials shall be prepared to the following specifications:
(a) Memorial or counter memorial shall not be more than 25 typed pages.
(b) Memorials must be typed and submitted on standard A4 size paper.
(c) Font and size of the text of all parts of the memorial (excluding footnotes) must be the same and must be in Times New Roman 12 font size.
(d) The texts of all parts of each memorial must be 1.5 line-spaced., with one-inch margin on both sides.
(e) The text of footnotes must be single line spaced. The font size of foot notes must be Times New Roman, font size- 10
(f) There must be double spacing between separate footnotes and between each heading and the body text of the memorial.
(g) Quotations of sources outside of the memorial of fifty words or more in any part of the memorial shall be block quoted and must be single-spaced.
(h) The table of Contents, Index of Authorities and Case Title are not included in the 25 typed pages limit.
Note: The marks of the Memorials shall be included in the total scores of the team from Quarter-final onwards, till the Final rounds in order to decide the teams which are to advance to the next round.

3. CONTENT OF MEMORIALS
The Memorial shall consist of the following parts:
1. Table of Contents
2. Index of Authorities (including corresponding page numbers)
3. Statement of Jurisdiction
4. Statement of Issues
5. Statement of Facts
6. Summary of Pleadings
7. Arguments Advanced
8. Prayer

4. MARKING SCHEME

Marking Criteria	Marks Allotted
Knowledge of Facts & Law	20
Extent & Use of Research	20
Drafting Skills	20
Proper & Articulate Analysis	20
Grammar & Style	10
Formatting & Citation	20
TOTAL	100

Winner	2,00,000/-
1st Runner Up	1,00,000/-
2nd Runner Up	50,000/-
Best Speaker	10,000/-
2nd Best Speaker	7,500/-
Best Memorial	10,000/-
2nd Best Memorial	7,500/-

Note:
• Along with cash prize, trophies shall also be awarded.
• Certificates for participation will be given to all the participants.
• Separate Certificates will be provided to the Quarter- Finalists, Semi-Finalists, Runners-up and Winners.
• All Certificates and awards will be presented to the participants only at the Valedictory Ceremony on the evening of 20th October , 2024. The participants are advised to finalize their travel plan accordingly.
• The certificates will not be provided to any participants who is not present at the Valedictory Ceremony and the same will not be sent by post/ courier to nay participants under any circumstance whatsoever. The certificates will not be provided to any participants who is not present

1. Scouting is strictly prohibited. In case of scouting, aggrieved teams may file a written complaint of scouting to the Organizers. The decision of the Organizers shall be final and binding.
2. Non-Disclosure of Identity: Teams shall not disclose their identity, i.e. the name of their institution, city, etc. or any other information which has the effect of disclosing their identity and affiliation with a particular university or institution. Such disclosure shall result in disqualification subject to the discretion of the Organizers.

1. Upon completion of the competition, the organising committee reserves the exclusive right to use the memorials submitted to them, as they deem appropriate.
2. Participating teams should carry with them required study or reference materials for their own use during the oral rounds of competition.
3. Participating teams shall be expected to maintain the proper decorum of the courtroom during the proceedings and shall conduct themselves in a manner befitting the legal profession.
4. The organising committee’s decision as regards the interpretation of these rules or any other matters related to the Moot Court competition shall be final and binding. If there is any situation, which is not covered by these rules, the decision of the organising committee shall be final.
5. The Organising Committee reserves the right to amend/change the rules & regulations with prior notice to all registered teams.
Direct all your queries to: [email protected]
For all details related to the moot court competition visit the following site: https://karnavatiuniversity.edu.in/uwsl/

1. The Republic of Indic has a voluminous written constitution in the world with 28 Provinces and 8 Union Territories. The Constitution of the country indicates that the country has adopted Federalism with independent and shared legislative responsibilities. The Constitution of the Republic of Indic provides Fundamental Rights in Part III including the right to freedom and the right to life under Articles 19 and 21 respectively. There is an explicit right to get constitutional remedies in the chapter on fundamental rights.
2. The Constitution provides for a hierarchical structure of the judiciary. The highest court of the country is the Supreme Court whereas, the High Courts are at the state-level followed by the Subordinate Judiciary. The Supreme Court and the High Courts are entrusted with the jurisdiction to give remedy for the violation of fundamental rights. Consequently, while redressing the violation of the fundamental rights, the courts have time and again widened its ambit as enshrined under the Constitution. The interpretation given by the Supreme Court binds all the courts and tribunals in the Republic of Indic.
3. With the advent of digital initiatives taken by the current government, there has been a surge in the internet users in Republic of Indic, making the country world's second largest internet user base. Internet has become an integral part of education, health and public service sectors. The Internet services are operated by multi-national corporations and public sector undertakings in different parts of the country.
4. The north-eastern states of the country are heavily inhabited by tribal population. They are very rich in culture and tradition. However, the region is backward in socio-economic parameters as compared to the rest of the country. The Government of Republic of Indic decided to utilise the strength of information technology, particularly internet services, to expedite the socio-economic development of the region. Due to resource constraints with the government, a decision was taken to invite multi-national corporations to provide internet services in this region.
5. Based on competitive bidding, the Government of Republic of Indic decided to award the contract to provide internet services to Indic-ONE, a multi-national corporation having its registered office in New Delic Capital Territory of Delic, in the year 2023.
6. The Company made the requisite investment to provide robust internet services in the entire region of the North-East. The strategic and planned investment resulted in a complete penetration of the services in the region by the Company. The state governments of the region extended all possible support, including the deployment of human resources, to facilitate the installation of the infrastructure needed for the services. The Company provided the internet-services in the region, inter alia in hospitals, educational institutions and government offices.
7. In June 2024, the Company declared the withdrawal of the services from the three states of the region on account of the loss of revenue. The decision was given with immediate effect. The decision of the withdrawal led to complete collapse of the services dependent upon internet.
8. Aggrieved by the decision of the Company, Develop-NE, an NGO dedicated to the development of the North East region decided to file a writ petition in the Supreme Court for the deprivation of the services connected with Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of Indic.
9. The Supreme Court has admitted the petition and scheduled the final hearing on 28th September 2024.
10. The Supreme Court has framed the following issues for final determination:
a. Whether the writ petition is maintainable or not?
b. Does the action of the Corporation entail the violation of the right to access internet?
c. Should the multi-national corporation be obligated towards the fundamental rights?
NOTE:
1) The laws of Republic of Indic are parimateria to the laws of the Republic of India.

Prof. (Dr.) Uday Shankar
Associate Professor, IIT Kharagpur
Author of the Moot Proposition