2nd Annual Trial Advocacy Competition 2026 by School of Law, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Delhi NCR [Hybrid; Prizes Worth Rs 70,000]

The School of Law, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Delhi NCR Campus began its journey in 2019 and offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in line with Bar Council of India and UGC guidelines. CHRIST (Deemed to be University) was established as a college in 1969 by the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate and was conferred deemed university status in 2008 under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956.

The competition is run by the Criminal Law Committee of the School of Law, which organises seminars, trial advocacy primers, forensic workshops and guest lectures. Its teams won the Surana & Surana Moot Court Trial Advocacy Competition 2025-26 (North Rounds), the 2nd SGT University Ranka International Trial Advocacy Competition 2025 and the 1st Mock Trial Competition at Nirma University, among others.

The 2nd Annual Trial Advocacy Competition (ATAC), 2026 is an academic initiative aimed at cultivating and celebrating the trial advocacy skills of law students. It simulates a real criminal trial so that participants gain practical exposure to courtroom dynamics, evidentiary procedure and strategic argumentation.

Unless otherwise specified in the Rules, all proceedings are governed by the applicable procedural law, including the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 and the Limitation Act, 1963. The inaugural 2025 edition drew 14 law schools from across India and was won by Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), New Law College, Pune.

The Competition runs in two phases:

• Preliminary Rounds (online): conducted on a virtual platform on 16 September 2026, following the inauguration and draw of lots.
• Advance Advocacy Rounds (offline): the Quarter-Final, Semi-Final and Final Rounds, held physically at the Delhi NCR Campus in Ghaziabad on 25 and 26 September 2026.

Teams shortlisted after the online Preliminary Rounds qualify for the Advance Advocacy Rounds and must complete a separate registration and fee payment for that stage.

The Competition is open to bona fide students duly enrolled in either a three-year or five-year LL.B. degree programme at a recognised university or institution in India. Participation is contingent on the student maintaining valid enrolment status at the time of the Competition.

Each team must consist of four members. For the Online Preliminary Rounds, two members act as Speakers and two act as Witnesses, and these designated roles must be strictly adhered to with no deviation permitted. For the Advance (Offline) Rounds, roles are assigned in accordance with the format of those rounds. Registration is on a team basis and only one designated member may register on behalf of the team.

Participation is contingent on successful registration for the online Preliminary Rounds, for which a compulsory and non-refundable fee of Rs 2,500 per team is payable at the time of initial registration.

Teams shortlisted for the Advance Advocacy Rounds must then remit:

• Without accommodation: Rs 3,500 per team
• With accommodation: Rs 6,000 per team

The Organising Committee arranges standard accommodation for teams that opt for it and have paid the corresponding fee, and meals are provided to all registered participants. Accommodation covers only the official duration of the Competition. All registration fees are strictly non-refundable once paid.

Complete the official Google registration form and pay the Preliminary Round fee through the South Indian Bank FeeBook payment portal notified by the Organising Committee. Registration is deemed complete only on submission of all mandatory documents and forms together with successful payment and confirmation of the fee by the Organising Committee.

All teams must also submit the Declaration Form provided by the Committee at the time of registration, along with a duly executed Undertaking affirming adherence to the Rules, standards of professional conduct and principles of academic integrity. Failure to meet payment deadlines results in automatic disqualification. The last date to register is 10 September 2026.

The Trial Problem and Brochure were released on 5 August 2026. Clarifications close on 20 August 2026 and are released on 22 August 2026, followed by the first set of evidence on 25 August 2026 and the second set on 27 August 2026. Written Arguments are due on 14 September 2026, the draw of lots is on 15 September 2026, and the Competition runs from 16 to 26 September 2026.

Note that the pleadings required under the Rules are Written Arguments and are not to be construed as memorials; a separate Compendium of Authorities is also filed.

The Competition carries a prize pool of Rs 70,000 across four categories, along with trophies and certificates.

• Winners: Rs 40,000
• Runners-Up: Rs 20,000
• Best Student Counsel: Rs 5,000
• Best Written Arguments: Rs 5,000

The Delhi NCR Campus is at Mariam Nagar, Meerut Road, Ghaziabad. Indira Gandhi International Airport is about 41 km away; Ghaziabad Railway Station is about 6 km and New Delhi Railway Station about 29 km away. The nearest Delhi Metro stations are Shaheed Sthal (New Bus Adda), roughly 2 km away, and Hindon River, roughly 2.9 km away, both on the Red Line.