GD Goenka successfully concludes Commercial Arbitration Competition 2017

The inaugural session of the G D Goenka CIArb International Commercial Arbitration Competition 2017 took place in Hyatt Regency hotel on 24th November 2017. The event was a grand success with an august gathering of renowned legal dignitaries who shared their thoughts on arbitration, lega, legal ethics and importance of arbitration law.

The evening began with the lighting of the lamps by Mrs. Renu Goenka, Honourable chancellor G.D.Goenka University and all other esteemed guests of the evening. Prof.(Dr).S.Shantakumar delivered the welcome address , Dr.Lalit Bhasin, President, CIArb (India),SILF, Bar association of India inaugurated the event with his address to the participating teams of the Arbitration Competition , Dr.Sidharth Luthra, Senior Advocate, Supreme court of India was the key-note speaker who emphasised on professional ethics in arbitration and it how it is litigant friendly, Ms.Bina Gupta, Advocate, Supreme court of India Chairperson Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) highlighted the fact that globalisation has help reduce all international barriers which has contributed to better international justice through international arbitration. Mrs.Renu Goenka Honourable chancellor G.D.Goenka University felicitated the dignitaries.

Mr. Nipun Goenka , Managing Director, G D Goenka University, Deans of School of Hospitality, Engineering, Fashion Designing, Management, Architecture were present for the occasion. The inaugural event was also graced by the presence of Mr.Ganesh Chandru (Executive Partner at Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan and he heads the firm’s International Arbitration Practice Group), V.Inbavijayan (International Arbitrator), Deepak Narayanan (Practising Advocate, Member of MCIArb, Arbitration Consultant at Kove Global LLP), Arpan Kr. Gupta (Senior Associate International Arbitration Practice Group Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan New Delhi), Adv. (CaptT) Alex Anthony (Certified IICL inspector for ISO containers , Qualified Surveyor certified by IRDA, Accrediated Mediator qualified from Indian Institute of Arbitration and Mediation, Certified Arbitrators) , G. Sivabalamurugan ( Advocate-on-Record, Supreme Court of India), Joseph Aristotle (Advocate-on-Record, Supreme Court of India), P.V. Saranvanaraja (Advocate-on-Record, Supreme Court of India), Rajiv Dutta (Senior Advocate), Ratan Singh (Advocate & Arbitrator), Ajay Thomas (Advocate & Arbitrator) and Sameer Shah ( International Arbitrtaor).

The participating teams were all excited to experience the first of its kind Arbitration Competition in India. This competition would surely encourage young law students to acquire the necessary knowledge skills and values associated with arbitration which is believed to be the future of dispute resolution in the country.

Two international and twenty-four national teams had registered for the arbitration competition. The preliminary rounds commenced following all arbitration rules. The teams put forth their opinions and arguments and the rounds were judged by eminent personalities of law. After rigorous negotiations in the quarter finals of the competitive GD Goenka International Commercial Arbitration Competition 2017, four best teams out of eight were selected to proceed to the semi-finals. The eminent debating and the level of the negotiations by the participating teams took the judges by surprise. However, at the end of such an impactful session the esteemed judges chose the two most deserving teams as the finalists.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice M.K Sharma (Former Judge, Supreme Court of India) was the Chief Guest of the Valedictory session where the results were announced and the awarding ceremony was concluded.

Government Law College, Mumbai team are the winners of this Competition and Symbiosis, Pune team are the runners up. The Best Speaker Male has been awarded to Habib Naved (RGNLU) & the Best Speaker Female has been awarded to K Salma Jennath (NUALS, Kochi). The award for Best Memorial has been given to Rajiv Gandhi National Law University team. Campus Law Centre, Delhi University team has been awarded the Runners Up, Best Memorial Award. After the award ceremony was completed, cash prize was awarded.

As correctly put forth by Mr. Lalit Bhasin [Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India & President, Soceity of Indian Law Firms; also President of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), India] in his presidential address that each participant is a winner as they were the chosen one to represent their universities in this competition. It was a tough competition but nonetheless the learning experience has been very enriching and it is something that each participant will take back with them.

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