First International Client Counselling Competition 2026 by MANUU Law School, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad [Hybrid; Cash Prizes Worth Rs 40,000]

Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) is a Central University under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, established by a Parliamentary Act in 1998 and accredited with an A+ grade by NAAC. Its main campus spreads over 200 acres at Gachibowli in Hyderabad, and the University runs 8 Schools of Studies with 20 Departments alongside 18 satellite and off-campuses across 11 states.

MANUU Law School is approved by the Bar Council of India and offers the 5-year B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), the 3-year LL.B., a Diploma in Cyberlaw & Digital Governance and ADR, a one-year specialised LL.M. and a Ph.D. in Law. The School describes its approach as outcome-based and multidisciplinary, aimed at building advocacy skills and critical analytical ability alongside doctrinal learning.

The First International Client Counselling Competition 2026 simulates a law office consultation. Two participants act as Counsel 1 and Counsel 2, receive a brief written memorandum identifying a client's problem, then interview a dummy client provided on the spot, elicit the relevant facts, explore the client's preferred outcome, outline the nature of the problem and suggest a course of resolution.

Four rounds are held. The Preliminary and Quarter-Final rounds run online on 22 August 2026; the Semi-Final and Final rounds are held offline at the MANUU campus in Hyderabad on 20 September 2026.

• Preliminary Round: 30 minutes, of which the first 20 minutes are the consultation period
• Quarter-Final (8 teams): 35 minutes, of which 25 minutes are consultation
• Semi-Final (4 teams): 40 minutes, of which 30 minutes are consultation
• Final (2 teams): 50 minutes, of which 40 minutes are consultation

The balance of time in each round is the post-consultation period, in which counsel summarise the interview, indicate the scope of legal work and state the issues to be researched. A judges' question-and-answer round of 10 minutes runs in addition to the allotted slot in every round. Books, notes and other materials may be used during consultation and post-consultation.

The client counselling problems for all rounds may be drawn from any or the entire spectrum of the following fields of law:

• Public International Law
• Artificial Intelligence and Law
• Labour Law
• Administrative Law
• Constitutional Law
• Company Law
• Criminal Law
• Family Law and Law of Torts

The client counselling topic is released 24 hours before the competition and the client is provided on the spot.

• Students of three-year and five-year law degree courses, in any year of study, from any University, Law School, College or Department are eligible to register a team.
• A team comprises exactly two participants, designated Counsel 1 and Counsel 2.
• Not more than one team from any single institution may participate. If two teams from the same institution apply, the first registered team is selected.
• A total of 20 teams will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. The Organising Committee may extend this number and remove the cap if it finds it suitable to do so.

The official language of the competition is bilingual English or Urdu, and all oral submissions must be made bilingually. Participants must not reveal their identity or their university's name during the rounds.

The registration fee is Rs 2,000 per team, excluding accommodation. The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, and the acknowledgement of payment must be submitted along with the online registration form.

Payment may be made to the following account, as printed in the official brochure:

• Account Name: Dean MANUU Law School
• Account Number: 187901000011247
• Bank: Indian Overseas Bank, Branch 1879 Gachibowli
• IFSC Code: IOBA0001879
• UPI ID: MANUULAWSCHOOL1247@iob

Once the formalities are completed, a Team Code is assigned and communicated to the registered team within 48 hours of registration.

Teams must complete the official online registration and payment form linked below on or before 10 August 2026, attaching proof of payment of the Rs 2,000 team fee. The last date for seeking clarifications is 15 August 2026.

The Organising Committee has the exclusive right to decide any dispute relating to registration, and its decision in such a case is final.

Teams are assessed by a panel of judges on establishing a working atmosphere and professional approach; eliciting the client's problem and the tools used; identifying the client's goals, expectations and needs; precise analysis and formulation of the problem; suggesting alternatives; allowing the client to make informed choices; effective conclusion of the session; teamwork; ethical and professional management of the relationship, including the client's emotional and legal needs; and the post-interview interaction with the judges.

The dress code is black trousers, a white shirt, tie and black blazer for men, and black trousers or a black salwar with a white kurta or shirt and a black blazer for women. Use of electronics during the rounds is strictly prohibited and results in immediate disqualification. Scouting, attempts to obtain the problem before notification, discussion with clients before the competition, cheating, intimidation, and speaking on controversial matters of religion, caste, race or gender, foul language or anti-national rhetoric are all grounds for disqualification. The decision of the judges and the Organising Committee is final and binding, and the Committee reserves the right to amend the rules on due notice to participating teams.