4th VGU R.K. Rastogi Memorial Negotiation Competition by Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur (Oct 24-25; Prizes Worth Rs 1 Lakh; Register by Oct 11)

The Alternative Dispute Resolution Cell of the Department of Law, Vivekananda Global University (VGU), Jaipur, presents the fourth edition of the VGU R.K. Rastogi Memorial Negotiation Competition. It is held in memory of Late Shri R.K. Rastogi, a former Advocate General of Rajasthan and one of the defining figures of the Rajasthan Bar, and is organised in collaboration with Shri Rajdeepak Rastogi, Senior Advocate and Former Additional Solicitor General of India, who serves as Patron.

The competition simulates a real legal negotiation. There is no memorial and nothing to submit in advance: teams of two appear as client and counsel, receive facts known to both sides plus confidential instructions known only to their own side, and negotiate in the room before judges who then question them on their strategy.

Vivekananda Global University is a NAAC A+ accredited State Private University established under Act 11 of 2012 of the Government of Rajasthan. Its Department of Law runs BCI-approved programmes, moot court and trial advocacy training, a legal aid clinic and the VGU Ranka Moot Court Competition. The ADR Cell trains students in negotiation, mediation and arbitration, and has organised this competition every year since 2023.

The 4th edition uses a single problem that runs through every round, with fresh confidential information and new developments released round by round. The problem, set in the fictional Union of Bharatania, concerns a divorcing couple who co-founded a child-development app company. The issues for negotiation are:

• Where their nine-year-old daughter lives, how time is divided, relocation abroad and the weight given to the child's own wishes.
• The fate of about 11,000 hours of recordings of the child used to train the app, and of the in-app character built from her voice and likeness.
• The couple's use of a co-parenting app that scores and flags their messages, and whether its records may be used in court.

The full statement of the problem is in the brochure. Teams may not introduce facts of their own.

• Open to bona fide students of three-year or five-year law programmes recognised by the Bar Council of India.
• Each team has exactly two members, one acting as Client and the other as Counsel.
• Team members must reverse roles between Preliminary Round I and Preliminary Round II.
• A maximum of three teams per institution. One registration form is filled per team.

• Sides (Dr. Ira Malhotra or Mr. Vedant Rao) are allotted at the draw of lots on 23 October 2026, and a team represents the same side throughout.
• Two Preliminary Rounds of 60 minutes each. The top four teams on each side (eight in all) advance to the Quarter-Finals (60 minutes).
• The top two teams on each side advance to the Semi-Finals, and the top team on each side meets in the Final. Semi-Final and Final sessions run for 90 minutes.
• Judges score the introduction and identification of issues, teamwork, relationship-building with the other side, creative legal solutions and the analysis of interests in the questioning session. A settlement is not required.
• Teams must not disclose the names of their coach or institution to the judges.

• Rs 6,000 per team with accommodation, or Rs 4,000 per team without accommodation.
• The fee is paid online in advance by UPI at the time of registration; the transaction or UTR number and a payment receipt are uploaded in the form. Registration is confirmed only after the ADR Cell verifies the payment.
• Teams opting for accommodation are housed at a property near the University from 23 October 2026, with transport to the campus arranged by the organisers. Meals on campus during the competition are provided to all registered participants.
• Teams needing accommodation before 23 October must inform the organisers in advance and pay Rs 1,500 per day extra with the registration fee.
• Participants bear their own travel expenses.

Fill in the official registration form on the VGU website by 11 October 2026. The form asks for the institution's details and the official email address of the faculty mentor, the details of both participants, the accommodation choice and the payment details. The ADR Cell sends a confirmation email and team codes within five working days of verifying payment.

• Queries on the negotiation problem go to info.adr@vgu.ac.in. The brochure sets the clarification deadline at 14 October 2026, while the registration page states 17 October 2026, so send queries by the earlier date.
• All awards, including certificates of participation, are given only in person at the valedictory ceremony on 25 October 2026.