IGNATIUS Trial & Advocacy Competition 2026 (IGNITAC'26) at Xavier Law School, St. Xavier's University, Kolkata (Nov 4-6; Cash Prizes Rs 2.5 Lakh; Register by Oct 26)

The Xavier Society of Law and Justice (XSLAJ) of Xavier Law School, St. Xavier's University, Kolkata will hold the Ignatius Trial & Advocacy Competition 2026 (IGNITAC'26) in person at the university's New Town campus from 4 to 6 November 2026. IGNITAC is the national chapter of the society's flagship trial advocacy event, named after St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order. The competition tests teams on opening and closing statements, chief and cross-examination of witnesses, and their command of evidence and procedure.

The Convenor is Dr. Siddhant Chandra and the Co-Convenor is Dr. Subhajit Chakraborty. Mr. Debdeep Giri is the Student Convenor and Mr. Swayam Bhattacharya the Joint Student Convenor.

Revised dates: by a notice dated 16 September 2026, the competition was moved from 24-26 September to 4-6 November 2026, and the registration deadline is now 26 October 2026. All other rules in the brochure remain unchanged.

The trial problem is a criminal sessions trial. Three accused are charged with the murders of three persons, the attempted murder of a fourth, destruction of a dwelling house by fire, criminal conspiracy and acts done in furtherance of common intention, under the fictional Arvanian Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Arvanian Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Teams argue for the Prosecution or the Defence as allotted by draw of lots. The full proposition and exhibits are in the official Google Drive folder.

Queries on the trial problem must reach the official email by 11:59 PM on 18 October 2026. Final clarifications will be released on 20 October 2026.

• Open to students of any three-year or five-year LL.B. or integrated law programme at a law school, college, university or institution recognised by the Bar Council of India. LL.M. students are also eligible.
• Students of any year or semester may take part. Cross-semester and cross-institution teams are allowed.
• Each team must have exactly 3 members: 1 Researcher and 2 Speakers. Roles cannot be changed after registration is confirmed.
• A maximum of 2 teams may register from one university or college.
• The home team from Xavier Law School (winners of XITAC'26) will also compete.
• The organisers may close the form once the maximum intake is reached, on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Prelims I and II: each team argues in two preliminary rounds, never against the same opponent twice. Scores combine both speakers' oral marks and the memorial. The top 8 teams reach the quarter-finals.
• Quarter-finals, semi-finals and final: knockout rounds scored on oral submissions.
• Time: 54 minutes per trial in the prelims and quarter-finals, and 90 minutes in the semi-finals and final, split across opening statements, chief and cross-examination of both witnesses, and closing statements.
• Witnesses: the organisers provide two trained witnesses per team, allotted by draw of lots, with a 30-minute briefing before each round. Witnesses are scored separately and the highest-scoring witness wins Best Witness.
• Researcher's Test: a 30-question MCQ test (15 minutes; +2 for a correct answer, -0.5 for a wrong one) that decides Best Researcher.
• An ex-parte round, with the judges acting as the opposing side, is held if an odd number of teams submit memorials.

• Memorials for both sides must be submitted online as PDFs by 11:59 PM on 1 November 2026, and as hard copies (4 sets per side, 8 in all) on campus on 4 November 2026. Any difference between the soft and hard copies leads to disqualification. Late memorials are not accepted.
• Maximum 36 pages. Blue cover for the Prosecution and red for the Defence. Times New Roman 12, 1.5 line spacing and 1-inch margins. Footnotes in Times New Roman 10, single-spaced, in OSCOLA (5th edition), with no speaking footnotes.
• The team code goes at the top right of the cover, followed by P or D. No names may appear anywhere in the memorial.
• Each memorial ends with a separate "Choice of Witness" page naming two witnesses. This page does not count towards the 36-page limit.

The registration fee is Rs 5,400 per team, inclusive of all taxes, paid once for the whole team by NEFT/RTGS. The account details are in the brochure. The fee does not cover hostel accommodation.

• Get a bona fide certificate from your institution. It must carry the institution's logo or seal, name the team members and acknowledge their participation in IGNITAC 2026.
• Pay the team fee and keep the receipt or bank slip.
• Fill in the Team Registration Google Form by 11:59 PM on 26 October 2026. Upload each member's college ID card, the bona fide certificate and the payment receipt (as PDFs), along with each member's name, course, email and phone number.

The organisers email a confirmation after checking the documents and payment. If a registration is not confirmed, the fee is refunded in full. No refund is given if a team cancels after paying.

Rooms are available at the SXUK hostel on campus from 4 November (check-in from 7:00 AM) to 7 November 2026 (check-out by 10:00 AM). Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included from 4 to 6 November. Rooms are non-AC and shared, with separate accommodation for men and women. Rooms are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Individual: Rs 2,325
• Dual: Rs 4,650
• Team: Rs 6,975

All rates include taxes. Rooms with attached washrooms are limited, cost extra and must be confirmed in advance with Ms. Riya Sarkar (+91-8798821639). Pay the hostel fee first, then submit the Hostel Registration Google Form by 11:59 PM on 26 October 2026. Hostel fees are not refundable, and travel is at the participants' own cost.

• Dress code for speakers and the researcher: black suit, trousers, tie and shoes, with a white shirt.
• Teams must stay anonymous and identify themselves only by team code. College clothing, pins or branded material are not allowed.
• Carry your college ID card for verification.
• Scouting other teams' rounds is prohibited. English is the only language allowed, and mobile phones and smartwatches may not be used in the trial rooms.

Besides the cash prizes, all winners receive trophies and medals. The brochure says additional rewards for the winners and other participants will be announced soon.