The Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (CADR), Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab, in collaboration with Surana & Surana International Attorneys, is organising the 7th Surana & Surana and RGNUL International Arbitral Award Writing Competition, 2026. The Competition aims to provide law students with an opportunity to engage with the principles and practice of international arbitration through the preparation and presentation of a reasoned arbitral award.
About Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Punjab
Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Punjab was established by the State Legislature of Punjab by passing the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab Act, 2006 (Punjab Act No. 12 of 2006). The Act incorporated a University of Law of national stature in the State of Punjab with the key objective to evolve and impart comprehensive legal education including distant and continuing legal education at all levels to achieve excellence. The institution's endeavour is to serve the society through reforms in legal services by way of preparing professionally competent lawyers, inquisitive researchers, able administrators, conscientious judicial officers, and above all, socially responsible citizens, who shall be whole- heartedly and continuously engaged in the process of nation building.
About Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (CADR)
Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (CADR) at the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab, has been established to promote interest of students and researchers in Alternative Dispute Resolution constituting dispute resolution methods like Arbitration, Negotiation, Mediation and Conciliation. Through its competitions, publications, and academic initiatives, the Centre endeavours to foster greater awareness and development of ADR as a vehicle of socio-economic and political justice. The Centre is also known for organizing the RGNUL National Negotiation Competition and the Sports & Entertainment Law Mediation Competition.
About Surana & Surana International Attorneys
Surana & Surana International Attorneys, headquartered in Chennai, India has been dedicated to providing timely relief to clients and is recognised for its legal services across a broad range of practice areas. Consistently ranked among India's leading law firms since 1998 by national and international publications and clients, its areas of practice include arbitration, mediation, litigation, corporate and commercial law, criminal law, cyber law, taxation, regulatory investigations and compliance, real estate, infrastructure, and intellectual property rights.
About the Competition
CADR-RGNUL, in collaboration with Surana & Surana International Attorneys, is organising the seventh edition of the International Arbitral Award Writing Competition. The Competition seeks to provide law students with an opportunity to engage with the principles and practice of arbitration through the preparation of a reasoned arbitral award.
The Competition shall be conducted in two phases:
Phase I – Arbitral Award Submission: Participants shall prepare and submit an arbitral award in accordance with the Competition Rulebook. All submissions shall be evaluated anonymously, and the ten highest-scoring entries shall be shortlisted for the next phase.
Phase II – Arbitral Award Presentation: The shortlisted participants shall present their respective awards before a panel of judges in an online round.
NO REGISTRATION OR SUBMISSION FEES shall be charged at any stage of the Competition.
ELIGIBILITY
The Competition is open to students pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, or other academic programmes, including B.A. LL.B., LL.M., Ph.D., and M.Phil., at any university worldwide. As a special provision, if a student of RGNUL secures a position among the top three, they shall be felicitated with a special prize by Surana & Surana International Attorneys and shall not be eligible for the top three prizes.
Participants may register individually or in teams of two. Cross-institutional teams are also permitted, provided that each author independently satisfies the eligibility criteria.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Opening of Registrations: 7 November 2026
Release of Problem: 7 November 2026
Last Date for Seeking Clarifications: 28 November 2026
Closing of Registrations: 28 November 2026
Release of Clarifications: 1 December 2026
Last Date for Submission of Arbitral Awards: 20 December 2026
Announcement of Shortlisted Participants for the Online Presentation: 5 January 2027
Online Arbitral Award Presentation: 17 January 2027
PRIZES
First Prize: INR 25,000/-
Second Prize: INR 15,000/-
Third Prize: INR 10,000/-
Consolation Prizes (Next Best Five Entries): INR 1,000/- each
IMPORTANT LINKS
For the Registration, click here.
For submission of the Arbitral Award, click here.
For submitting Clarifications, click here.
For the Competition Brochure, click here.
For the Competition Rulebook, click here.
For the Competition Proposition, click here.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For any queries or further information, please contact the Organising Committee at:
Email: submissions.cadr@rgnul.ac.in
Website: https://www.rgnulcadr.in