1st NLIU–Trilegal National Article Writing & Presentation Competition, 2026
1st NLIU–Trilegal National Article Writing & Presentation Competition, 2026
(On Labour & Employment Laws)
The National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal, in collaboration with Trilegal, one of India’s leading law firms, is organising the NLIU–Trilegal National Article Writing & Presentation Competition (NTC-LEL) 2026. The initiative is hosted by the Centre for Labour Laws (CLL), NLIU, and aims to encourage rigorous academic engagement with emerging and evolving issues in labour and employment law.
This competition offers law students across India a prestigious platform to present original research, engage with leading practitioners, and gain exposure to contemporary legal challenges in the world of work.
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About National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal
Established in 1997, the National Law Institute University, Bhopal, is one of India’s premier government-run national law universities and the second NLU in the country. NLIU offers undergraduate, postgraduate (LL.M., MCLIS), and doctoral programmes and is known for its commitment to modern legal education, interdisciplinary learning, and academic excellence. Admission is through the CLAT examination.
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About Trilegal
Trilegal is a prominent full-service Indian law firm with expertise in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, dispute resolution, technology, energy, and regulatory affairs. The firm serves major domestic and international clients and operates through offices in key Indian cities. Trilegal is widely respected for its all-equity lockstep partnership model, commitment to diversity, and its use of legal technology and AI-driven tools to enhance professional efficiency.
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About the Competition
The NLIU–Trilegal National Article Writing & Presentation Competition on Labour and Employment Laws (NTC-LEL) 2026 is a flagship academic initiative aimed at strengthening research and dialogue in labour law. The competition is structured to bridge academic scholarship with professional legal practice.
The programme is conducted in two stages:
Phase I – Manuscript Review
All submissions undergo a four-level double-blind review by the CLL Editorial Board and experts from Trilegal.
Phase II – Presentation and Defence
The top 15 papers selected from Phase I will be invited to present and defend their research before a panel of senior Trilegal professionals and distinguished academicians.
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Eligibility
The competition is open to students currently enrolled in:
LL.B. (Hons.)
LL.B.
LL.M.
at any recognised university for the academic year 2025–2026.
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Broad Themes
Submissions should relate to contemporary labour and employment law issues, including:
Technology, artificial intelligence, and the future of work
Data protection, algorithmic management, and employee surveillance
Gig economy, platform work, and labour protections
Corporate restructuring, mergers, and workforce transitions
Labour Codes and industrial relations
Evolving employment policies and workplace governance
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Indicative Sub-Themes
Participants may explore topics such as:
Labour due diligence in mergers and acquisitions
Employee transfers and cost-sharing during corporate restructuring
Post-merger compensation alignment and HR budgeting
Downsizing, redundancy, and reputational risk
Retention packages for key employees
Outsourcing and automation-related contractual risks
Digital HR platforms and recruitment technologies
AI-based workforce management and performance evaluation
Industrial Relations Code compliance
Fixed-term employment and social security
Legal status and protection of gig workers
Trade union rights in the platform economy
Remote and cross-border employment compliance
ESG obligations relating to workforce diversity
Employment-related arbitration and dispute resolution
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Categories of Submission
Entries may be made under the following formats:
Category Word Limit
Articles 4,000 – 10,000 words
Essays / Short Articles 2,000 – 4,000 words
Case Comments 2,500 – 5,000 words
Book Reviews 1,500 – 3,000 words
Legislative Comments 2,000 – 4,000 words
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Submission Guidelines
All entries must meet high academic standards and follow these rules:
Abstract: 250–300 words summarising the core argument
Plagiarism: Maximum similarity allowed is 15%
Co-authorship: A maximum of two authors is permitted
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Formatting Requirements
File format: MS Word (.doc or .docx)
Font: Times New Roman
Main text: Size 12, 1.5 spacing, justified
Footnotes: Size 10, single-spaced, justified
Citation style: OSCOLA (4th Edition)
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Mode of Submission
Submissions must be uploaded through the official online submission portal provided by the organisers.
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Registration Fees
Single Author: ₹650
Co-authored Paper: ₹1,100
Prizes
Winners, runners-up, and second runners-up will receive:
Internship opportunities with Trilegal
Cash awards
Premium legal research database subscriptions
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Important Dates
Registration Opens: 16 December 2025
Paper Submission Deadline: 22 January 2026
Phase I Results: 22 February 2026
Final Presentation Round: 08 March 2026
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Contact for Queries
For any clarifications, write to:
ntclel.cll@gmail.com
(Subject line: “Query: NTC-LEL 2026 Submission”)
Organising Team
Ms. Sakshi Sharma (Convenor): +91 84619 26245
Mr. Vivek Rajurkar (Co-Convenor): +91 94049 02301
Mr. Ali Asghar (Secretary): +91 76938 80552
This competition presents a valuable opportunity for law students to gain national recognition, professional exposure, and scholarly credibility in the field of labour and employment law.
