STUDENT BAR ASSOCIATION 2023–24

SYMBIOSIS LAW SCHOOL, PUNE

INTERNAL ALTERNATE
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
SELECTION (IADRS)
(2023-2024)
OFFICIAL RULES
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Definitions For The Purpose of The Selection: ....................................................................... 3

2. Organisation of The Selection .................................................................................................. 5

3. Participation and Eligibility ...................................................................................................... 5

4. Language ................................................................................................................................... 6

5. Participant Registration ............................................................................................................ 6

6. Organization of Internal Selection ........................................................................................... 7

7. Tie – Breaker Method................................................................................................................ 8

8. Parameters For Judging The Participant ................................................................................ 9

9. Scouting ................................................................................................................................... 10

10. Penalties &Disqualification .................................................................................................. 11

11. Allotment Of Mooting Activities .......................................................................................... 11

12. Copyright ............................................................................................................................... 12

13. De Minimis Rule .................................................................................................................... 12

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1. DEFINITIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE SELECTION:

The following terms bear the corresponding meanings:

1.1 “ADMINISTRATORS” means the Student Bar Association [hereinafter “SBA”] of

Symbiosis Law School, Pune [hereinafter “SLS, Pune”] and/or any other person(s)
appointed to administer the SLS, Pune – Internal Alternate Dispute Resolution Selection
[hereinafter “IADRS”]. The Administrators will organize the Selection in consonance &
in consistent with these Rules and in consultation with Faculty In-Charges. The
Administrators will not in any way assist any Participant in the preparation for this
Selection that would result in a conflict of interests.

1.2 “CHAMBER CO-ORDINATOR” means the person appointed by the SBA for
organizing the affairs of the chamber room where the session is to be held.

1.3 “CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION” means certain factual information in relation to a

Negotiation Simulation that is provided exclusively to only one party.

1.4 “DISQUALIFICATION” means that the Participant will not be allowed to participate in
IADRS and/or any other Mooting Activities organized by the SBA of SLS, Pune, for the
Mooting Year 2023-2024.

1.5 “SELECTION” means the Internal Selection, which will be organized by the SBA in the
Mooting Year 2023-2024 for the purpose of selecting Teams to represent SLS, Pune in
various external Client Counselling, Mediation, Negotiation, and other ADR
competitions.

1.6 “JUDGE” means any person(s) appointed by the SBA, in order to evaluate the
participant’s Session.

1.7 “MOOTING YEAR” means the period between the time of declaration of results of one
Symbiosis Law School, Pune Internal Alternate Dispute Resolution Selection to the time
of declaration of results of the Symbiosis Law School, Pune Internal Alternate Dispute
Resolution Selection in the subsequent year. This shall include the time remaining
between the commencement of the current academic year and the date of declaration of

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results of the subsequent Symbiosis Law School, Pune Internal Alternate Dispute
Resolution Selection.

1.8 “FACULTY IN-CHARGES” means the Professors In-Charge of the SBA of

SLS, Pune.

1.9 “PENALTIES” means marks deducted for violation of a rule pursuant to Rule 10.

1.10 “PARTICIPANT” means an eligible student recognized by the SBA who competes in
the Selection, pursuant to Rule 3.

1.11 “PROBLEM CLARIFICATIONS” means the Official Clarifications of the Problem

Statement, as released by the Administrators.

1.12 “RULES” means the Official Rules of the Selection and any applicable Supplementary
Rules notified pursuant to the SBA Policy 2023-2024.

1.13 “SUPPLEMENTARY RULES” means additional rules or clarifications applicable to the

Participants, which are approved by the SBA Faculty In-Charges and made available to
all Participants through electronic mail of the SBA.

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2. ORGANISATION OF THE SELECTION

2.1 ADMINISTRATION
This Selection is organized by the SBA of SLS, Pune to select participants who will represent
the college in various national and international mooting activities relating to ADR. All
materials developed by SLS, Pune for the Selection, including, but not limited to, the Official
Rules, Problem Statement and Confidential Information are the sole property of SLS, Pune
and must not be reproduced for any purpose other than participation in or administration of
the Selection without the express and prior written consent of the SBA.
2.2 INTERPRETATION OF RULES
The Faculty In-Charges of the SBA in consultation with the Director, SLS Pune, shall serve
as the final arbitrator of the implementation and interpretation of these Rules and of any
Supplementary Rules. The SBA reserves the right to amend or supplement any rule, including
but not limited to additions or amendment of rules or clarifications applicable to the
Participants, which shall be approved by the faculty in-charges and made available to all
Participants through electronic mail of the SBA.

For any communication by the students to the SBA, the query can be mailed on
sba.events@symlaw.ac.in.

3. PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY

3.1 PARTICIPANT ELIGIBILITY
a) All students who are studying in 2nd to 5th year of 5 Year B.A. / B.B.A. LL.B. and 2nd and 3rd
year of 3 Year LL.B. in Symbiosis Law School, Pune are eligible to participate in IADRS,
2023 upon formal acceptance of application as per the subsequent notice issued by the SBA
in pursuance of the Selection.

b) Participants who have outstanding debts towards college during previous Moot Court
Selection or who have not returned the Library Books borrowed under the Mooter’s Card
during previous selections for ANY mooting activity and/or any other obligations can be
disqualified at any stage in the following year's Selection until such fees have been paid or
obligations have been met.

3.2 ANONYMITY OF PARTICIPANT

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Participants must not reveal their Names, PRN, or any other identification details to Judges
at any point of time during the Selection. The Administrators shall have a right to disqualify
or impose a Penalty against any Participant who intentionally or inadvertently discloses
his/her Name, PRN Number, or such other details of identification to a Judge, whether or not
such disclosure occurs during the Session or in any other mode of communication.

4. LANGUAGE AND MODE

The medium of language used throughout the Selection shall be in English. The Symbiosis
Law School, Pune – Internal Alternative Dispute Resolution Selection shall be conducted in
Physical Mode.

5. PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION
All the eligible participants, as per Rule 3.1(a) need to complete the registration formalities
with the SBA by filling in the Online Form as prescribed in the Notice.

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6. ORGANIZATION OF INTERNAL SELECTION

Each fixture will be represented by no more than two Eligible Participants with one taking the
role of Attorney 1 and the other taking the opposing role of Attorney 2, as per the draw of lots.
6.1 DATES OF THE SELECTION
IADRS shall take place on October 29, 2023.

6.2 DRESS CODE

Participants should be dressed in formal attire during the session. Black and White formals
and Blazers are necessary. Wearing a tie is mandatory for boys.

6.3 TIME LIMIT

a) Each participating team will engage in an 18-minute Session which will be inclusive of
Opening Statements and Deliberations by each team. The Deliberations will be followed by a
7-minute (per team) period of Post-Negotiation Analysis and a Critique session by the judges.

b) Each session shall continue for a maximum of 25 minutes [18 mins. (Opening Statements and
Deliberations + 7 mins. (Post-Negotiation Analysis and Critique Session)].

6.4 THE SESSION SHALL CONSIST OF TWO STAGES

Stage 1: Opening statements and Deliberations (18 minutes)

Stage 2: Post-Negotiation Analysis and Critique Session (07 minutes)

OPENING STATEMENT AND DELIBERATIONS

a) The Opening Statements (2 minutes per participant) and Deliberation period shall be divided
equally between the two participants for that fixture.

b) The time period for Opening Statements and Deliberations is meant to be used for a crisp
assessment of the fact situation, which highlights the key issues that the party has identified.

c) Participants are expected to produce the relevant information, outline the problem,
and propose a solution or other means of resolving the problem.
d) During the session, the Participant may use books, notes and other materials to furnish their
consultation room or other relevant purposes.

e) The time period is to be strictly adhered to, but the Judges may, in case of any reasonable

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circumstances, provide extra time to the participant, after which the deliberation period shall
end, and the Post-Negotiation Analysis would begin.

POST-NEGOTIATION ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUE

a) The Participants shall be allotted 4 minutes to deliver their Post-Negotiation Analysis,

which duration shall be divided equally between the two participants. Appropriateness and
relevance of the content shall be evaluated and marked by the judges.

b) After the completion of the Post-Negotiation Analysis period, the critique session by the
judge would be for 3 minutes. The Judges may question the participants on matters
deliberated upon or mentioned by the participants during the session.

c) The Judges may ask any question which they consider material to test the participants’
understanding of the facts and/or law applicable or applied by the participants in the case.

d) Judge(s) may, in their discretion, penalize the participants exceeding the stipulated time
period.

6.5 CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

Confidential information shall be released to the respective teams before the commencement
of the Negotiation session. This information should not be disclosed to any other participant
or discussed with anyone at any time during the course of the Selection. Disclosure of such
information shall lead to penalties as mentioned under Rule 10.

6.6 RESULTS
The date of declaration of results shall be announced after the completion of all the rounds of
IADRS, as per the schedule declared by the SBA.

7. TIE – BREAKER METHOD

7.1TIER 1 – TIE-BREAKER
a) The total marks obtained by the participants of the same chamber in Post-Medaition
Analysis and Critique session will be considered if there is a tie on the basis of the total
scores obtained by the participant. (Same chamber – Same ranks)

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b) The total marks obtained by the participants of different chambers with the same rank will
be considered if there is a tie. (Different Chambers – Same Ranks)

7.2 TIER 2 – TIE-BREAKER

a) There shall be a draw of lots for the participants of the same chamber if there is a tie in
the marks in the Post-Negotiation Analysis and Critique Session obtained by the
participants in the same chamber. (Same Chamber – Same Ranks – Same Scores in Post-
Medaition Analysis and Critique Session)

b) The marks obtained by the participants of different chambers in the Post-Negotiation

Analysis and Critique Session will be considered if there is a tie on the basis of the total
scores given by the judge. If the tie continues, a draw of lots session will be organized for
the participants of different chambers. (Different chambers – Same Ranks – Same Marks)
or (Different chambers – Same Ranks – Same Marks- Same Scores in Post-Negotiation
Analysis and Critique Session).

8. PARAMETERS FOR JUDGING THE PARTICIPANT

8.1 WORKING ATMOSPHERE AND PROFESSIONALISM
Establishing an effective professional relationship and creating a working atmosphere, if
and when appropriate.

8.2 MORAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES

Recognizing, clarifying and responding to any moral or ethical issues which may have
arisen, without being prejudicial in judgments.

8.3 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM

Using a combination of listening and questioning, drawing out both information and
emotions of the opposing attorney, as appropriate, to develop a reasonably complete
and reliable description of the problem.

8.4 GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS OF THE PARTY REPRESENTED

Learning the party’s goals and initial expectations; modifying or developing these as
necessary.

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8.5 EFFECTIVE CONCLUSION

Consistent with the analysis of the factual matrix, developing a set of potentially
effective and feasible alternatives, both legal and non- legal, resulting in a clear and
useful formulation of the problem.

8.6 ANALYSIS OF INTERESTS AND ANSWERING QUESTIONS DURING THE FEEDBACK

SESSION

Participants should be:

(A) in a position to identify their main interests for the Session; and

(B) able to explain the strategies adopted, solutions suggested and rationale thereof to
the Judges.
8.7 CONSIDERATION OF BEST INTEREST OF PARTY
Participant should be able to put forth the best interest of party while keeping a balanced
approach to close the resolution with an effective and efficient manner.
8.8 RELATIONSHIP BUILDING WITH THE OTHER PARTY
Participant should deal the issue in a cordial and amicable way by upholding the spirit
of integrity while dealing with the other party and try to resolve the dispute or settle the
matter in best of his abilities in the best interest of party. Skills of advocacy,
persuasiveness and response to questions shall be there while keeping an amicable
relationship with other party and judges.
8.9 RESPECT & PROFESSIONALISM
All participants in the Competition are reminded to be particularly vigilant in avoiding
doing anything that may be perceived as inappropriate and/or insensitive to differences
in culture, gender, age, national origin, race, religion, and ethnicity or any other aspect
that may violates the basic aspects of professionalism in the relation establishes between
two parties. (e.g., Client Attorney etc.). It includes general impression and mannerism.

9. SCOUTING
Upon the commencement of the Internal Selection’s session, participants are not allowed to
interact with the other participants before they enter their Chamber and should be present in a
separate waiting room assigned to them by the Administrators.

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10. PENALTIES & DISQUALIFICATION

10.1 PENALTIES
The Faculty In-Charges, Administrators, or Judges shall impose an Oral Round Penalty when
they are satisfied that an event subject to such Penalty has occurred, if necessary, after
consultation with the Chamber Coordinator. The heads of penalty will be as follows:
1. Improper chamber communications;
2. Scouting;
3. Violation of anonymity in chamber;
4. Exceeding the allotted time limit for session;
5. Disclosure of Cofidential Information;
6. Reporting late to the allotted Chamber.

10.2 DISQUALIFICATION
The participant will be disqualified from IADRS and/or any other Mooting Activities
for the Mooting Year 2023-2024 on the following grounds:
a) Skipping or missing the Session;
b) Scouting/ Disclosure of Confidential Information
c) Reveal of Identity (Non-Compliance with Rule of Anonymity);
d) Delay in reporting for the Session.

11. ALLOTMENT OF MOOTING ACTIVITIES

11.1 Allocation of all the State / National / International Level Client Counselling, Mediation
and Negotiation Competitions, and other related ADR competitions would be done by
the SBA from the IADRS Pool.

11.2 The SBA will intimate about all the Internal Alternate Dispute Resolution Selection
Participants through electronic mail and/or through Notice about the Selection that will
be allotted to the Participants under the IADRS pool, as soon as the SBA receives
invitation of any Selection or mooting activity. Date and Time of the allotment session
would be subsequently notified by the SBA by way of electronic mail.

11.3 The Participant will be allowed to Participate in only ONE ADR Competition from the
given Symbiosis Law School, Pune – IADRS Pool for the Mooting Year 2023-2024.

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12. COPYRIGHT
Further use and exhibition of these materials, electronically or otherwise, shall be the
exclusive right of Symbiosis Law School, Pune and they shall not be responsible for any
liability to any person for any loss caused by errors or omissions in this collection of
information, or for the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained
in these materials.

13. DE MINIMIS RULE

13.1 The Faculty In-Charges, in consultation with the SBA, may promulgate such other
measures for the orderly organization of the Selection or to correct deficiencies in the
Selection. Administrators may also, in consultation with and upon approval of the Faculty
In-Charges, promulgate such other measures for the orderly organization of the Selection.

13.2 The SBA holds the right to Amend or Change or Incorporate New Rules or Guidelines in
the Internal Selection without prior notice to the eligible Participants.

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