Call for Papers: JODR – ADRSOC Essay Writing Competition
Call for Papers: JODR – ADRSOC Essay Writing Competition
Organised by NUJS, Kolkata
About the Organisers
The Essay Writing Competition is organised by The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS), Kolkata, in collaboration with its Alternate Dispute Resolution Society (ADRSOC) and the NUJS Journal on Dispute Resolution (JODR).
– NUJS, Kolkata is a premier National Law University, consistently ranked among the top four institutions by NIRF, with a strong academic focus on ADR, legal research, and legal aid.
– ADRSOC, established in 2016, works towards nurturing future lawyers capable of resolving complex disputes beyond conventional litigation.
– JODR is a bi-annual, open-access, student-reviewed journal launched in 2021, focusing on contemporary developments in national and international dispute resolution.
About the Competition
In an era where law, business, technology, and global governance increasingly intersect, this competition aims to stimulate original academic thought and contribute meaningfully to the evolving discourse on dispute resolution. Participants are encouraged to critically analyse emerging challenges and innovations in ADR, arbitration, mediation, and technology-driven dispute resolution.
Themes and Topics
Participants must write an essay on any one of the following themes:
– Integration of mediation within the statutory insolvency framework to enhance efficiency and preserve enterprise value
– Framework and feasibility of cross-border mediation in India under the Singapore Convention
– Potential and challenges of artificial intelligence in alternative and online dispute resolution
– Effectiveness of ADR mechanisms in resolving environmental conflicts and climate change disputes
– Role of international arbitration in resolving cross-border disputes relating to data protection and digital trade
– Arbitration clauses in shareholders’ agreements and the jurisdiction of national company law tribunals
Eligibility
The competition is open to:
– Scholars and PhD students
– Advocates and law professors
– Students pursuing 3-year or 5-year LL.B. programmes
– LL.M. students
– Students enrolled in any recognised undergraduate or postgraduate law programme
Prizes and Recognition
– Top 3 Papers: Cash prizes, publication in JODR, and Manupatra indexing and access
– Top 10 Essays: Selected for publication in the NUJS Journal on Dispute Resolution
– Top 10 Participants: Certificates of appreciation
– All Participants: Certificate of participation
Submission Guidelines
– Word limit: 3000–4000 words (excluding abstract, footnotes, and table of contents)
– Abstract: Mandatory, 200–250 words
– Co-authorship: Permitted up to a maximum of two authors
– Citation style: OSCOLA (4th edition)
– File format: MS Word (.doc/.docx), compatible with Word 2007 and above
– Spelling: British spelling (Oxford English Dictionary)
– Metadata: Must be completely removed before submission
– Plagiarism limit: Maximum 10 percent (5-word chain method)
– AI usage: Strictly prohibited (zero tolerance)
– Submission email: adrsoc@nujs.edu
Registration Fees
For PhD Students, Advocates, Scholars, and Professors:
– Single authorship: ₹600
– Co-authorship (maximum two authors): ₹1000
For Law Students:
– Single authorship: ₹400
– Co-authorship (maximum two authors): ₹700
Payment Details
– Account Name: NUJS ADR Society
– Account Number: 520101247038616
– IFSC Code: UBIN0906638
– Bank: Union Bank of India, NUJS Campus Branch
– Payment proof must be uploaded to the registration Google Form
Important Dates
– Registration deadline: 10 December 2025
– Submission deadline: 15 January 2026
– Tentative results declaration: March 2026
Contact Information
For queries and clarifications, contact:
– adrsoc@nujs.edu
– jodr@nujs.edu
Student Convenors and Editors
– Bikramjit Gupta, Convenor, ADR Society
– Chaitanya Mahajan, Co-Convenor, ADR Society
– Thankam Jim, Editor-in-Chief, JODR
– Sanya Khera, Editor-in-Chief, JODR
