2nd NLIU–IALR Arbitral Award Drafting & Presentation Competition, 2026 | Bhopal
2nd NLIU–IALR Arbitral Award Drafting & Presentation Competition, 2026 | Bhopal
National Law Institute University, Bhopal
The Indian Arbitration Law Review (IALR) at National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal is organising the Second NLIU–IALR Arbitral Award Drafting and Presentation Competition, 2026. This national-level arbitration competition is designed to develop practical skills in arbitral award writing, legal reasoning, and oral advocacy. The offline rounds will be conducted at the NLIU campus on 24 and 25 January 2026 in collaboration with Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.
About NLIU, Bhopal
Established in 1997 by the Madhya Pradesh State Legislature, NLIU Bhopal is India’s second National Law University. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes recognised by the Bar Council of India and the University Grants Commission (UGC). The University is known for its strong emphasis on legal scholarship, interdisciplinary learning, and high-quality academic publications.
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About Indian Arbitration Law Review (IALR)
The Indian Arbitration Law Review (IALR) is a student-edited annual journal of NLIU Bhopal, published since 2018. It is exclusively dedicated to the field of arbitration law. The journal is published by Eastern Book Company (EBC) and is indexed on SCC Online and HeinOnline, featuring scholarly articles, case analyses, and book reviews by academics and practitioners.
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Competition Structure
The competition is based on a construction arbitration problem drafted by professionals from Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. It is conducted in two phases:
Phase I – Arbitral Award Drafting (Online)
Participants are required to draft and submit a reasoned arbitral award based on the provided problem. Based on evaluation, 15–20 teams will qualify for the next round.
Phase II – Award Presentation (Offline)
Shortlisted teams will present their drafted awards before a panel of judges in elimination rounds. The best four teams will proceed to the final round, where they will be assessed on legal reasoning, drafting quality, and responses to judicial questions.
A panel discussion on arbitration law will also be held during the event. The detailed format is provided in the official rulebook.
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Eligibility
The competition is open to students enrolled in:
Five-year integrated LL.B. programmes
Three-year LL.B. programmes
LL.M. programmes
from any recognised law university or institution in India or abroad.
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Important Dates
Registration Deadline – 31 December 2025
Award Submission Deadline – 07 January 2026
Announcement of Qualifying Teams – 10 January 2026
Offline Rounds at NLIU, Bhopal – 24–25 January 2026
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Prizes and Benefits
First Prize – ₹55,000 + Free Manupatra Academy Course + Internship at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas
Second Prize – ₹35,000 + 75% discount on Manupatra Academy Course + Internship at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas
Third Prize – ₹25,000 + 50% discount on Manupatra Academy Course
Best Draft – ₹10,000
Best Presenter – ₹10,000
Additional benefits include:
Publication of the top four awards on the IALR website
Merit certificates for Phase II teams
Participation certificates for all registered participants
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Registration Details
Registration must be completed through the official Google Form.
Phase I – Online
Individual Registration – ₹550
Team Registration – ₹800
Phase II – Offline (Includes accommodation and meals)
Individual – ₹5,500
Team – ₹8,000
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Contact Information
For queries or assistance, contact:
Email: ialr@nliu.ac.in
Akhila Hebbar (Editor-in-Chief) – +91 63661 64006
Divyank Dewan (Managing Editor) – +91 98188 13438
The 2nd NLIU–IALR Arbitral Award Drafting and Presentation Competition offers law students a prestigious opportunity to gain hands-on experience in arbitration practice, award writing, and oral defence before expert panels, making it one of the most professionally oriented arbitration competitions in India.
