6th National Negotiation Competition by CADR, RGNUL Punjab [Hybrid]: Register by October 12!

RGNUL Punjab invites teams for its 6th National Negotiation Competition in hybrid mode. Register by 11:59 PM on October 12, 2026.

About CADR, RGNUL

The Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution at Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab, was established in 2018. It promotes the study and practice of alternative dispute resolution through workshops, seminars, research and student competitions. The Centre provides a platform for students and researchers to develop their understanding of negotiation, mediation and other methods of resolving disputes.

About the Competition

CADR, RGNUL and the Dr. P.C. Markanda Chair on Alternative Dispute Resolution are organising the sixth edition of the RGNUL National Negotiation Competition. The competition began in 2021. Its collaborators include Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., Markanda Advocates and the Justice K.P. Bhandari Foundation. Teams will negotiate competition problems while representing the interests of a client and counsel.

Mode and Venue

The competition will be conducted in hybrid mode. Preliminary rounds will take place online through Google Meet on October 25, 2026. Quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final will be held at the RGNUL campus in Punjab on November 21–22, 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

Article 6 of the rulebook permits students enrolled in a five-year integrated B.A. LL.B. or three-year LL.B. course at the invited institutions for the academic year 2026–2027. Postgraduate applicants should confirm eligibility with the organising committee: the brochure and the rulebook’s definition of an eligible student include postgraduate law programmes, while Article 6 lists undergraduate courses.

Team Composition

Each team must comprise two students from the same institution, acting as a client and a counsel. Both participants must perform each role at least once during the preliminary rounds. Team composition cannot be changed after it is communicated to the organising committee. Institutions seeking an additional team slot should contact CADR; allocation is subject to the committee’s decision.

Competition Structure

• All teams participate in two preliminary rounds, each lasting 50 minutes.
• The top eight teams advance to the quarter-finals.
• Quarter-final and semi-final rounds last 60 minutes each.
• The final lasts 70 minutes. Advanced rounds follow a knockout format.
• English is the official language of the competition.

Registration Fees

The registration fee is ₹8,000 per team, exclusive of GST. Teams qualifying for the advanced rounds must pay an additional ₹4,000 per team, exclusive of GST as stated in the brochure. The additional fee covers accommodation; the rulebook also includes meals at the campus. Fees once paid are non-refundable.

Awards and Certificates

• Winning team and runner-up awards.
• Best Negotiator award for the highest individual score in the preliminary rounds.
• Best Negotiating Plan award for the highest average score across the two preliminary negotiation plans.
• Certificates of participation for all participating teams.

Important Dates

• Provisional registration deadline: October 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM, as confirmed in the live registration form.
• Clarification requests: October 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
• Final registration and payment: October 20, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
• Negotiation plan submission: October 22, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
• Online preliminary rounds: October 25, 2026.
• Offline advanced rounds: November 21–22, 2026.

Negotiation Plan

Submit a plan for each preliminary round in Word and PDF formats. It should address the brief facts, core issues, strengths and weaknesses, zone of possible agreement, and best and worst alternatives to a negotiated agreement. Use 12-point Times New Roman with 1.5 line spacing. Plans must not contain footnotes or disclose the team’s identity.

Contact

Email: cadr@rgnul.ac.in. Convenor Ritwik Sharma: ritwiksharma22121@rgnul.ac.in.

Application Procedure

Universities and colleges should complete the provisional registration form by 11:59 PM on October 12, 2026. Provide institutional and point-of-contact details, along with the requested information about the institution’s ADR activities. Selected institutions will receive a confirmation email containing the final registration form and payment link. Complete final registration and payment by October 20, 2026. Read the competition documents and confirm any eligibility questions with the organising committee before registering.