28 Feb 2014|Noida | Amity University Campus, Sector-125 Noida
13th Amity National Moot Court Competition on "Public International Law” commences at Amity Law School, Delhi
Amity Law School, Delhi started 13th Amity National Moot Court Competition at Amity Campus, Sector-125, Noida which was inaugurated by Hon’ble Mr. Justice R.S. Sodhi, Former Judge, Delhi High Court and Mr. Neeraj Kishan Kaul- Senior Advocate, High Court and Supreme Court.
The moot problem for this year’s competition is based on concepts of Public International Law and highlights the emerging legal landscape in the field of law of the seas, salvage rights and criminal jurisdiction over the seas. The proposition essentially centres on the disputes between two hypothetical countries over their maritime boundaries and draws strongly from the Italian Marines case.
Over 27 Law Universities, Colleges and Institutes across India are participating in the Competition including Babasaheb Ambedkar College of Law, Nagpur, Faculty of Law, Allahabad University, Faculty of Law, IFHE, Hyderabad, GNLU, Gujarat, Jamia Milia Islamia, Delhi, K.L.E. Society's Law College, Bangalore, Nirma University, Gujarat, Symbiosis Law School, Pune and others
Addressing the gathering, Prof. (Dr.) B P S Sehgal - Director, Amity Law School, Delhi said that in order to become a successful lawyer it is essential for a law student to know how to apply the law he has learnt to a fact situation and to have awareness of the rules and the etiquettes of the Court. Moot Court competitions are like the laboratories of law schools where students get opportunity to refine their oratory, advocacy skills and confidence to present their viewpoints in front of the luminaries of Law. He outlined the achievements of the students of Amity Law School, Delhi in various Moot Courts organized across the country.
Sharing his thoughts, Hon’ble Mr. Justice R.S. Sodhi, Former Judge, Delhi High Court congratulated Amity Law School, Delhi for achieving such high standards of competence and excellence. Sharing few tips with the students, he advised them to be crisp and concise while presenting their viewpoint in Courts since the attention span of a Judge is very short and best/important points should be stated immediately. He stressed that Moot Courts are not about winning or loosing; they teach students how to articulate their research and present in with firmness in front of Lawyers and Judges of High Court and Supreme Court. He called upon the budding lawyers to feel what they put across in Courts of Law, irrespective whether the case is good or bad. Nobody is remembered for how many cases he might win or lose, but the way he emphatically presents the case in the court. He advised them to give their complete knowledge, research and acumen to the case and then leave everything upon the Judge, who will finally decide the case.
Addressing the budding lawyers, Mr. Neeraj Kishan Kaul- Senior Advocate said that it is imperative for law students to participate in Moot Courts since they provide enormous opportunity to think creatively and out of box. Referring to Mr. Abraham Lincoln who was the 16th President of the United States and also a Lawyer, Mr. Kaul quoted, “If you are resolutely determined to make a lawyer of yourself, the thing is more than half done already.”He advised students to consider Law as a profession and not a business. He encouraged them to be fearless and do what they think is right. Being equipped with the knowledge and tools to fight injustice, he called upon them to stand up and fight for injustice, whenever required. He congratulated all the participants for participating in Amity National Moot Court Competition and motivated them to give their best.
Also, present during the occasion was Prof. M.K. Balachandran-Chair Professor for Law, Amity Law School, Delhi.
During the next two days, four rounds will be conducted- Preliminary, Quarter Finals, Semi- Finals and Finals wherein the students will argue and deliberate upon pertinent issues involving salvage rights, responsibility for environmental damage, criminal jurisdiction, diplomatic and functional immunity. The Preliminary and Quarter Final rounds will be adjudged by Senior Advocates, Legal practitioners and experts in International Law. The Semi-Finals and Final Rounds which would take place on Sunday March 2, 2014 and will be graced by sitting judges of the High Court of Delhi.