5th MAIMS National Mock Trial Competition, 2026
Department of Law, Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Management Studies (MAIMS).Overview
The Department of Law, Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Management Studies (MAIMS) invites law students from across India to the 5th MAIMS National Mock Trial Competition, 2026. Held in hybrid mode, the competition is built to replicate real courtroom proceedings, so you get hands-on practice in trial advocacy, examination of witnesses and litigation strategy.
This edition revolves around the theme "Mental Health, Superstition and Criminal Liability", exploring where spiritual belief and psychological vulnerability cross the line into criminal responsibility. With a total prize pool of Rs. 1,00,000 plus SCC Online subscriptions, it is a strong platform to sharpen your advocacy and research skills.
About the organiser
MAIMS was established in 2003 by the Maharaja Agrasen Technical Education Society and runs programmes affiliated with Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU), Delhi. Its Department of Law was set up in 2017, introducing the five-year integrated BA LL.B degree, and aims to deliver quality legal education with a professional, practice-oriented approach. The institute also offers BBA LL.B (Integrated) and LLM programmes in IPR, Corporate Law and ADR.
Theme and format
The competition is themed "Mental Health, Superstition and Criminal Liability" with the sub-theme "Blind Faith and Psychological Vulnerability: Where Spiritual Belief Crosses the Line into Criminal Responsibility."
It runs in hybrid mode: the Preliminary Rounds and Quarter-Final Round are held virtually, while the Semi-Final and Final Rounds take place offline at the MAIMS campus in Rohini, New Delhi. The rounds are designed to mirror a real trial, involving framing of arguments, examination-in-chief, cross-examination and re-examination of witnesses.
Who can apply
Participation is open to bona fide students pursuing the 3-year or 5-year LL.B. programme from any University, College or Institution recognised by the Bar Council of India.
- A maximum of two teams from the same Institution/University may participate.
- Each team consists of four members: two Speakers and two Researchers-cum-Witness.
- Both Researchers act as witnesses during the relevant rounds, but only one designated Researcher per team is eligible to sit the Researcher's Test.
- For the Preliminary and Quarter-Final Rounds, the Researcher-cum-Witness performs the witness role as per the proposition; for the Semi-Final and Final Rounds, witnesses are provided by the Organising Committee.
What it costs
The registration fee is Rs. 5,600 per team. Teams registering on or before 23 May 2026 [23:59 IST] pay a discounted Early Bird fee of Rs. 5,000. The last date for payment of the registration fee is 23 August 2026 [23:59 IST].
An additional accommodation fee of Rs. 4,000 applies for qualifying teams opting to stay during the offline rounds. Accommodation is optional and arranged by the Organising Committee on request. All registration and accommodation payments are non-refundable.
NEFT/IMPS details: Account Holder - MAIMS Cultural Society (MACS); Bank - Union Bank of India; A/C No. - 604202010000826; IFSC - UBIN0560421; Branch - Sector-22, Rohini, New Delhi-110086. To confirm registration, upload a screenshot of the UTR/Reference Number along with the Registration Form.
Prizes
- Best Team: Rs. 50,000 + Certificate of Merit
- Runner-up Team: Rs. 25,000 + Certificate of Merit
- Best Witness: Rs. 10,000 + Certificate of Merit
- Best Speaker: Rs. 5,000 + Certificate of Merit
- Best Researcher: Rs. 5,000 + Certificate of Merit
- Best Memorial: Rs. 5,000 + Certificate of Merit
- MAIMS Exemplary Witness: Certificate of Merit
- One-month SCC Online subscription for all participants, and an annual SCC Online subscription for the winning team.
Process and timeline
- 27 April 2026: Registration opens and Mock Proposition released
- 23 May 2026 [23:59 IST]: Early Bird discount closes
- 18 August 2026 [23:59 IST]: Last date for seeking clarifications
- 23 August 2026 [23:59 IST]: Last date of registration and payment of fees
- 28 August 2026: Publication of clarifications
- 31 August 2026 [23:59 IST]: Last date for memorial submission
- 10 September 2026: Inaugural Ceremony, Draw of Lots and Exchange of Memorials
- 11 September 2026: Researcher's Test and Preliminary Rounds I and II
- 12 September 2026: Quarter-Final Round
- 25 September 2026: Semi-Final and Final Rounds (offline at MAIMS campus)
- 26 September 2026: Valedictory Ceremony and announcement of awards
How to apply
Fill out the official Registration Form and choose a primary contact person, through whom all communication will flow. On successful registration each team is allotted a unique Team Code to be used for all further correspondence. Participants must not disclose their law school/college at any stage (through clothing, accessories, books, logos or badges), on pain of penalties up to disqualification. Any change in team composition must be intimated to the Organising Committee by email along with a freshly filled Registration Form.
Checklist
- Confirm you are a 3-year or 5-year LL.B student at a BCI-recognised institution
- Form a team of four (two Speakers, two Researchers-cum-Witness); max two teams per institution
- Complete payment (Rs. 5,600, or Rs. 5,000 early bird) and keep the UTR/Reference screenshot
- Submit the Registration Form with the payment proof before 23 August 2026
- Note the memorial submission deadline of 31 August 2026
- Maintain anonymity - do not reveal your institution at any stage