Introduction to the Competition

Following the outstanding success of its Inaugural International Moot Court Competition, organized in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, Presidency School of Law, Presidency University, Bengaluru, proudly announces the 2nd International Moot Court Competition, 2027.

The Competition is envisioned as a premier international platform for aspiring legal professionals to engage with contemporary and complex issues of international law through rigorous legal research, written advocacy, and oral argument. It seeks to foster intellectual excellence, advocacy skills, critical thinking, and cross-cultural academic engagement among law students from India and across the world.

The moot proposition for this edition, The Prosecutor v. General Darius Vokshi, is set before a fictional hybrid international tribunal and presents participants with intricate questions arising under International Criminal Law, Public International Law, International Humanitarian Law, and Transnational Justice. Participants will be required to address challenging issues concerning jurisdiction, admissibility and complementarity, immunity ratione materiae of former State officials, individual criminal responsibility including command responsibility, extradition, human rights obligations, and the principle of non-refoulement.

The Competition has been carefully designed to reflect contemporary developments in international criminal justice and accountability mechanisms while encouraging participants to engage with evolving jurisprudence, treaty frameworks, customary international law, and comparative legal approaches.

In keeping with Presidency University's commitment to global engagement and inclusivity, the Competition shall be conducted in a hybrid format. Teams from India shall participate in person at the Presidency School of Law, Bengaluru, while international teams may participate virtually, thereby facilitating wider global participation and fostering meaningful international academic exchange without compromising the quality and rigor of the competition.

The Competition aspires to create a vibrant forum where future lawyers, researchers, policymakers, and advocates can engage with pressing international legal challenges and contribute to the advancement of justice, accountability, human rights, and the rule of law in an increasingly interconnected world.

About the Inaugural International Moot Court Competition (2026)

The Presidency School of Law successfully organized its Inaugural International Moot Court Competition from 20-22 February 2026 in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India. The Competition marked a significant milestone in the school’s commitment to promoting excellence in advocacy, legal research, and international legal education.

The inaugural edition featured an original moot proposition before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) titled Case Concerning the Legality of Detention of Mittal: United Republic of Othello v. The Republic of Verona, addressing complex issues relating to Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), customary international law, state sovereignty, diplomatic protection, and human rights.

The Competition witnessed enthusiastic participation from 44 teams representing leading law schools and universities from India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, reflecting its growing international appeal and academic standing. The event was inaugurated by Hon'ble Justice Shivraj V. Patil, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India and Former Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission.

The rounds were adjudicated by an esteemed panel of judges comprising distinguished legal practitioners, academicians, and experts from India, Germany, Singapore, and Australia, providing participants with valuable exposure to diverse legal perspectives and international advocacy standards.

The overwhelming success of the inaugural edition laid a strong foundation for establishing the Presidency International Moot Court Competition as a premier platform for fostering advocacy skills, international legal scholarship, professional excellence, and cross-border academic engagement among future legal professionals. Building upon this success, the second edition seeks to further expand its international reach and strengthen its position as a leading moot court competition in the field of international law and transnational justice.

Rationale

International criminal law raises some of the most challenging questions concerning accountability, human rights, sovereignty, and justice. Through a realistic and complex moot proposition, the Presidency International Moot Court Competition seeks to equip future legal professionals with advanced skills in legal research, written advocacy, oral argumentation, and strategic thinking. The Competition provides a unique platform for academic exchange, professional engagement, and benchmarking advocacy skills against national and international standards, while fostering a commitment to justice, accountability, and the rule of law.

Objectives of the Competition

1. To provide law students with an opportunity to research, analyse, draft memorials, and argue a complex proposition in International Criminal Law before a simulated international tribunal.
2. To strengthen legal research, memorial drafting, oral advocacy, and courtroom presentation skills.
3. To promote critical understanding of contemporary issues relating to international criminal justice, State responsibility, jurisdiction, immunity, extradition, and human rights.
4. To facilitate academic exchange and collaboration among students, academicians, judges, and legal practitioners from India and abroad.
5. To foster international engagement and promote cross-cultural legal learning through a globally accessible competition.
6. To strengthen the Presidency School of Law's commitment to excellence in advocacy training and international legal education.