Symbiosis Law School, Noida emerges winner during India and Asia Regional virtual rounds of Philip C Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition at Amity University 

The India and Asia Regional virtual rounds of Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, 2021 was won by Symbiosis Law School, Noida at Amity University. National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam bagged the second position. Hosted by Amity Law School, the virtual rounds were jointly organized with International Law Students Association (ILSA). The Global Rounds will be spread over a five-week period beginning in mid-March 2021, with each team competing against opponents from around the world.  

The global tournament saw almost 50 teams participating from across the country, including 16 National Law Universities and 5 International colleges. The event was also a witness to the participation of Asian countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Cambodia. An outstanding level of legal deliberation was displayed by the participating teams with the country’s finest law students coming together and presenting their arguments. 

The 2021 Jessup Problem concerns a very relatable issue of a global pandemic and the obligations and responses of states concerning the outbreak. The competition also saw views being exchanged on the question of the jurisdiction of the Court, a desperate claim for political asylum by an alleged rogue scientist, and State responsibility for a suspicious aircraft explosion. 
Guest of Honour, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Vibhu Bakhru, Judge, Delhi High Court shared that moot court is more than a contest, it’s an experience. He also exclaimed that there are no real losers when it comes to competitions as such, the real victory comes from the attempt, where one puts in their effort and grows not only as a law student but as a person.  

Guest of Honour, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Jayant Nath, Judge, Delhi High Court was particularly pleased by the conduct of students in the competition. Lauding the efforts of the organizing team, he appreciated how Jessup Moot Court Competition provides to law students, the best platform to exhibit their legal prowess. He also grew reminiscent of Jessup 2018 when he could physically interact with students yet expressed his hope to experience it again. 

Guest of Honour, Hon’ble Mr. Justice R.S. Endlaw, Judge, Delhi High Court stated that the main aim of a law school should be to prepare students for real-life cases and real-life courtroom situations as the time they get to prepare for real cases are much less than what they get to prepare for a moot court competition. He appreciated the way the students presented their cases in the competition. 

Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan, Founder President, Ritnand Balved Education Foundation shared that a moot court teaches a lot, prepares students for real-life courtroom experience and the participating students aspire to reach the pinnacle of glory. He acknowledged the gracious presence of the guests who showed the path to the students to attain success and motivated everyone present. He advised students to strengthen their collective wisdom by reading judgements. 

Mr. Saju Jakob, Advocate, Supreme Court of India, Solicitor- UK & Germany, Member of Bar Council Germany highlighted the importance of mooting and the skills which help students imbibe, including how to start an argument with a strong legal point, differentiating between thoughts and gaining clarity and encouraging professionalism and ethics. He drew a contrast between how the law was thirty years ago and how it is now, sans boundaries anymore and offering multiple opportunities. 

Mr. Steven Schneebaum, Former (and Founding) Chairman of ILSA congratulated the participants on being a part of “borderless brotherhood,” that is, the Jessup community. He expressed his views on peace on how it depended on one’s ability to live together in harmony. He also shared the Jessup motto stating, ‘In the future, world leaders will look upon the world differently because they met as friends here’. 

Mr. Mark Luz, Chairman, Board of Directors, ILSA averred that Jessup is not just a moot court competition, but is a feeling, a celebration of friendships, teamwork, and everlasting memories. He added that “civility and humility” are the biggest yet the scarcest attributes in the legal fraternity, something which the Philip C. Jessup Moot Court Competition duly offers. 
Prof. (Dr.) D.K. Bandyopadhyay, Chairman, Amity Law Schools welcomed the gathering and shared how Amity University, under the vision and guidance of the founder president, has changed the landscape of Indian Education. He further acknowledged how great an honour it was to be working in conjunction with ILSA.  

A souvenir about the competition was also launched during the occasion. Also present on the occasion were Mr. Michael Peil, Deputy National Administrator, Jessup’21: India & Asia Regional Virtual Rounds; Ms. Lesley Benn, Executive Director of the International Law Students Association (ILSA); Prof. (Dr.) Shefali Raizada, Additional Director/HOI, Amity Law School; Prof. (Dr.)Aditya Tomer, Additional Director/HOI, Amity Law School; Bhavna Batra, National Administrator, Jessup’21: India & Asia Regional Virtual Rounds along with faculty, staff and thousands of students.