SICTA 2022- Curtain Raiser 

Symbiosis Law School, Pune, a constituent of Symbiosis International (Deemed University), is proud to announce the Seventh Edition of the Symbiosis Law School, Pune – International Criminal Trial Advocacy (SICTA), 2022 from April 21-24, 2022. The past editions of SICTA have received overwhelming praise for the competence, research and advocacy skills reflected throughout the course of the competition by the student community and highly favorable reviews have been given to the perseverance and skills showcased by the organizing college. The competition has continually received participation from renowned law colleges in India and from across the globe, including teams from China, U.K., Poland, Malaysia, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Kuwait. The event is sponsored by Synlitigators, SLS, Pune Alumni, Titan Company, EBC Reader and SCC Online. 

The theme for SICTA 2022 is - “Mode(s) of individual criminal liability relating to the use or deployment of autonomous warfare technology and allied assault weapon systems” which revolves around the procedural challenges faced by the International Criminal Court in interpreting treaties vis-à-vis international criminal law.

The event will be graced by the august presence of Dr. S.B. Mujumdar, Chancellor, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro Chancellor, Symbiosis International (Deemed University) and Dr. Rajani R. Gupte, Vice Chancellor, Symbiosis International (Deemed University). 

The Inaugural Ceremony of SICTA, 2022 will take place on April 21, 2022, at 05:00 PM (17:00 Hours IST) through the virtual platform Zoom. The event will begin with the Welcome Address being delivered by Dr. Shashikala Gurpur, Fulbright Scholar, Jean Monnet Chair Professor, Director, Symbiosis Law School, Pune, Dean, Faculty of Law, Symbiosis International (Deemed University). The ceremony will be graced by esteemed Guest of Honour, Adv. Tapas Kanti Baul, Prosecutor, International Crimes Tribunal, Bangladesh as well as Chief Guest, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Mohit Shantilal Shah, Former Chief Justice, Bombay High Court.

The eminent legal luminaries such as Prof. Gudmundur Eiriksson, Professor and Executive Director, Centre for International Legal Studies, Jindal Global Law School, Dr. Sandeep Gopalan, Vice-Chancellor, Piedmont International University, North Carolina, and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Mohan Pieris, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to The United Nations, among many others.

The preliminary rounds of the competition will be held on April 22, 2022, with participation from more than 20 national as well as international teams. The top 9 teams to qualify the preliminary rounds will proceed to the semi-final rounds, scheduled to be held on April 23, 2022.

The final rounds of the competition will be held on April 24, 2022, adjudicated by an esteemed and reputable panel, including Dr. Namira Nabil Negm, Legal Counsel, Director of Department of Legal Affairs of the African Union, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Mohan Peiris, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to The United Nations, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Pradeep Singh, High Court, Karnataka, Dr. Aniruddha Rajput, Consultant, Withers LLP, Dr. Umesh Kadam, Regional Legal Advisor at International Committee of the Red Cross and Adv. Tapas Baul, Prosecutor, International Criminal Tribunal, Bangladesh.

The Valedictory Ceremony of the competition will be held on April 24, 2022, at 05:00 PM (17:00 Hours IST), graced by the presence of the Guest of Honour, Hon'ble Mr. Justice Pradeep Singh Yerur, Judge, High Court of Karnataka and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Mohan Pieris, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to The United Nations. The esteemed Chief Guest for the Ceremony will be Hon’ble Mr. Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, Judge, Supreme Court of India. 

The ceremony shall be followed by the declaration of the Winner, the Runner Up Team, Best Student Advocates, Best Witnesses and the Best Memorial, together with the announcement of awards sponsored by our Alumni Convenor Adv. Sampath Bulusu, Adv. Manan Sanghai, Adv. Harshad Bhadbhade and Adv. Shravanth Arya Tandra, contributing to prizes worth over Rs. 1 lakh.