RULEBOOK

I. Theme and Date: The problems for the 2nd NLIU International Mediation Competition 2012 shall be based on a variety of legal topics which are capable of out of court settlement. The Competition shall be held from 12th 14th October, 2012 at the National Law Institute University in Bhopal, India. II. Language: The competition shall be conducted in English language only. III. Eligibility: The Competition is open to all law schools from all over the world. Any student pursuing a graduate or a post-graduate degree in law can participate in the Competition. However, students pursuing a doctoral or post-doctoral course in law are not eligible for participation in the Competition. IV. Participation and Team Composition:
a. b.

Each participating law school may field a maximum of two teams. Each participating team consists of three members, whose role in the Competition is defined later in this Rulebook.

c. d.

There is a Team Cap of 32 teams for this Competition. Efforts will be made to include the maximum number of participating law schools as possible. To this end, the second teams (if any) of each participating law school shall only be accommodated after a team from all law schools willing to participate is given a slot of participation.

e.

For training purposes, NLIU would nominate two teams to participate in the Competition. However, these teams shall not be eligible to be considered for any Award or Prize Money.

V.

Registration :
a.

Stage 1:
i.

Teams must intimate their willingness to participate in the Competition by filling out Form-I which has been attached to this Rulebook. This form must be scanned and sent to

Page 1 of 9

nliu.mediationcompetition@gmail.com by 1st September, 2012 with the subject of the mail as Participation in the NLIU International Mediation Competition 2012
ii.

Teams will be sent a mail containing their Team Code from the organizing team on 2nd September, 2012 confirming their participation in which case they shall proceed to Stage 2 of the registration process.

iii.

If the team cap for the Competition has been reached, then the organizing team will offer slots of participation to teams based upon their Form-I submission and subject to the provisions of Section IV(d) of this Rulebook.

b.

Stage 2:
i.

Teams who have been cleared for Stage 2 of the registration process will be free to make their travel arrangements to Bhopal as their participation is confirmed, but subject to payment of registration fee for the Competition.

ii.

Registration Fee for the Competition is fixed at Rs. 6000 (per team per law school) for Indian law schools and $200 (per team per law school) for foreign law schools. This registration fee for National teams covers travel to and fro the Competition venues and 6 meals for the duration of the Competition (ie. 12th 14th October, 2012).

iii.

The Registration Fee for National Teams does not cover accommodation. However, NLIU will provide transportation facilities from select hotels situated in Bhopal. This fee must be sent by wire transfer to the NLIU account by 10th September, 2012. The account details of the University are: Name of A/c - Director, National Law Institute University Branch - Dena Bank, T.T Nagar, Bhopal - 462044 A/c No. - 062510005192 IFSC code - BKDN0810625 SWIFT code BKDNINBBBHP In the comments section of the wire transfer please include the comment Registration Fee for Team Code (your team code). Please keep the wire transfer payment slip that the bank will give you safely, as you will require that to confirm registration payment.

iv.

Page 2 of 9

v.

The registration form annexed as Form-II must be duly filled, signed and sealed and a scanned copy of the same need to sent to nliu.mediationcompetition@gmail.com by 10th September, 2012 with the subject of the mail as Confirmation of Payment of Registration fee for the NLIU International Mediation Competition 2012. In this mail also attach a scanned copy of the wire transfer payment slip given by the bank.

vi.

On arrival to the NLIU campus, and during the formal completion of registration, please submit the original filled, signed and sealed copy of Form-II and the original wire transfer payment slip given by the bank.

VI.

Competition Schedule The scheduled events for the Competition are as follows:

12th October, 2012 Friday (Day 1) 12.00 p.m. 1.00 p.m. Formal Registration 1.00 p.m. 2.00 p.m. Lunch 2.30 p.m. 4.30 p.m. 1st Training Session organized by INADR 4.30 p.m. 5.00 p.m. Tea and Snacks 5.00 p.m. 7.00 p.m. 2nd Training Session organized by INADR 13th October, 2012 Saturday (Day 2) Preliminary Round 1 (Confidential Information released twenty minutes 11.30 a.m. 1.30 p.m. prior) 1.30 p.m. 2.30 p.m. Lunch Preliminary Round 2 (Confidential Information released twenty minutes 3.00 p.m. 5.00 p.m. prior) 5.00 p.m. 6.00 p.m. Tea and Snacks Preliminary Round 3 (Confidential Information released twenty minutes 6.30 p.m. 8.30 p.m. prior) 9.00 p.m. Announcement of Breaking Teams th 14 October, 2012 Sunday (Day 3) 9.00 a.m. 11.00 a.m. Quarter Finals (Confidential Information released twenty minutes prior) 12.00 p.m. 2.00 p.m. Semi Finals (Confidential Information released twenty minutes prior) 2.00 p.m. 3.00 p.m. Lunch 3.30 p.m. 5.30 p.m. Grand Finals (Confidential Information released twenty minutes prior) 6.00 p.m. 7.00 p.m. Valedictory Ceremony 7.00 p.m. 8.00 p.m. High Tea

Page 3 of 9

8.00 p.m.

Closing Party and Dinner

VII. Travel to Bhopal :

a.

Teams are responsible for their own travel to Bhopal, and the organizing committee shall not be providing the same.

b.

For foreign teams travelling to Bhopal, the best way to book tickets to come to Bhopal is via Delhi or Mumbai. After arrival in Delhi or Mumbai there are cheap flight options available. Visit www.yatra.com or www.cleartrip.com to see options. You can also book train travel, for which you need to contact a travel agent in India.

c.

Foreign teams requiring an invitation letter for their visa application is required to fill up optional Form-III annexed to this Rulebook and scan and send it as soon as they require it to
nliu.mediationcompetition@gmail.com. We will try our best to respond to the same and dispatch

invitation letters immediately. VIII. Food and Local Travel :

a.

Conveyance will be provided to all the teams to and from Competition venues to the accommodation subject to Rule V (b)(iii).

b.

The following meals shall be provided during the course of the Competition:
i. ii. iii.

Day 1 (12th October, 2012) Lunch, High Tea and Inaugural Dinner Day 2 (13th October, 2012) Lunch and Evening Tea and Snacks Day 3 (14th October, 2012) Lunch, High Tea and Valedictory Party Dinner

c.

Teams must send their travel plans along with Form-II.

IX.

Team Cap :
a. b.

There shall be a maximum number of 32 teams participating in the Competition. If required, the Form-I of each team from Stage 1 of the Registration process shall be used to shortlist teams who will be given a slot of participation in the Competition, in case there are more than 32 teams willing to participate.

c.

This Section is subject to the provisions of Section IV(d) as given in this Rulebook.

X.

Format of the Competition:

a.

Introduction

Page 4 of 9

Due to the growing importance of mediation throughout the world, this international competition is designed to help law students better understand the mediation process and its importance to the practice of law. The primary difference between this Competition and others is that it requires students not only to participate as attorney/clients but just as importantly as mediators. An important component of the Competition is the training provided to students on Friday morning of the Competition weekend, in mediator skills and attorney/client advocacy.
b.

Team Orientation Every effort will be made to ensure that these rules and cases are clear. All participants will be afforded the opportunity to ask questions at the orientation session. The Competition director will have complete discretion in answering questions related to the cases and rules.

c.

Team Composition A team will consist of three students. In each round, one student participates as mediator and the other two as attorney/client. In the three preliminary rounds, each student must act as mediator, attorney, and client. If a team reaches the championship round, it can decide who will act as mediator. Each round includes co-mediators who are from different schools. There is also an attorney/client team representing the claimant side, and an attorney/client team representing the respondent side. The co-mediators and the attorney/client teams are all from different schools. Co-mediators will not mediate for their own schools in any round, including the final round.

d.

Format On the Friday, 12th October, 2012 afternoon and evening of the Competition week, there will be training sessions on mediation and client/counsel advocacy. All participants must attend the same for issue of clarifications on the Competition case problems and rules of the Competition. The participants shall be trained in mediation by practicing mediation professionals from the International Academy of Dispute Resolution(INADR), Chicago. There are three preliminary rounds on 13th October, 2012, Saturday morning, afternoon and evening. After completing the preliminary rounds, the three mediator scores for each team are added up and the top eight teams qualify for the quarter finals on 14th October, 2012, Sunday morning

Page 5 of 9

followed by the semi-finals in the afternoon and finals in the evening. Likewise, the top attorney/client teams will participate in the finals. See Section IX(n) below.
e.

Scoring Mediators and attorney/client teams will be separately scored. Both will be scored in six categories, receiving 0-10 points in each. The categories for mediators are: (1) Opening Statement of the Mediator; (2) First Caucus; (3) Qualities Of A Good Mediator; (4) Active Listening and Creativity; (5) Cooperation Between Mediators; and (6) Self Evaluation. The categories for attorney/client teams are: (1) Attorneys Opening Statement; (2) First Caucus; (3) Strategy, Tactics and Creativity; (4) Teamwork Between Attorney and Client; (5) Overall Evaluation; and (6) Self Evaluation.

f.

Mediators Each mediator must make opening remarks of no more than four minutes. The mediators can decide who goes first and whether they will coordinate their remarks or make them independently. The judges understand that the co-mediators remarks may be quite similar. Each co-mediator must conduct a caucus during the mediationit can be immediately after the parties opening statements or later, at the mediators discretion. The co-mediators can decide who will conduct the first caucus and with which party, but each mediator must conduct the first caucus with a different party. The comediator not conducting the caucus will observe and may ask clarifying questions at the end of the caucus. Thereafter, the co-mediators can use a conference or caucus format as they wish. The mediators should try to ensure that caucuses are not used by parties to create unfair competitive advantagee.g., by staying in caucus for extended periods of time so that the other attorney/client team is deprived of time in front of the judges. The mediators are responsible for ensuring that caucus time is used effectively.

g.

Attorneys and Clients The attorneys will each offer a brief summary of the facts and their clients goals for the mediation after the mediators openings. The clients may be offered an opportunity to speak briefly during this time, and may contribute as appropriate throughout the mediation. During the balance of the mediation, whether in caucus or conference, the attorneys and clients should work together and with

Page 6 of 9

the mediators to achieve the clients goals. The attorneys and clients should act realistically and professionally in the spirit of mediation.

h.

Judges There are two judges for each round. The judges will score independently of each other. Judges are provided a statement of the case as well as the confidential statements provided each party. Students may not at any time confer with the judges until their ballots have been turned in. Thereafter the judges may provide a short critique.

i.

Cases To Be Mediated In each round the same case will be used for all mediation sessions. The case packet will include a common set of facts disclosed to both sides and the co-mediators and a separate confidential fact sheet given to each side. The mediators will not receive the confidential fact sheets. Each of the three preliminary rounds and the final round will involve different cases.

j.

Timekeeping Responsibility rests with the student participants for timekeeping and adherence to the allotted time periods. Each mediation session is limited to 85 minutes. Preparation for Self Evaluation is limited to 5 minutes, and each Self Evaluation is limited to 5 minutes.

k.

Self -Evaluation Each participant will have five minutes to discuss these questions at the conclusion of the mediation: A) If you had to do the mediation over again, what would you do the same or differently? B) What were your goals and strategies coming into the mediation and how did they play out during the mediation? There will be a five-minute preparation period at the conclusion of the mediation, then each participant should speak to the judges outside the hearing of the other competitors. The order of self evaluation will be determined by the judges.

l.

Permissible Assistance Faculty and other coaches may confer with their students up until the mediation session commences. Thereafter, they may not give any advice or instructions to, or attempt to communicate in any way

Page 7 of 9

with, any of the participants until the conclusion of the Self Evaluation. Coaches may observe the mediations in which their teams are participating. They may not scout other teams. Violation of this rule could result in loss of points or even disqualification.
m.

Staying Within the Record While teams may draw reasonable inferences from the facts provided, they are cautioned to stay within a reasonable range of inference. They should not invent material self-serving facts. If a judge feels a team has gone beyond a reasonable inference, she/he may score the team accordingly.

n.

Advancing to the Final Round The top eight mediation teams and top eight advocate/client teams will advance to the finals rounds which would consist of the quarter finals on Saturday evening, semi finals on Sunday morning and the finals Sunday evening. Advancement to the final round will be based first on the number of judge ballots won by each team (maximum of 6), and second (in the event of a tie) by the margin of victory of the team, determined by comparing the co-mediator scores and/or advocate/client scores on each ballot for any team tied with another team for a position in the final round. In the finals round, comediators from the same school may not be in the same room, and no mediator may mediate for an advocate/client team from his/her school. The final position of the teams will be determined by the number of ballots won and the margin of victory in the final round. Any remaining ties will be broken by comparing total scores.

o.

Release of the problem The problem will be mailed to all the teams which have registered for the competition. There will be different problems for all the rounds, the three prelims will have different problems, the quarter finals, semi finals and finals will also have different problems for each one of them. All of these problems shall be mailed to the registered teams on 20th September, 2012 before the start of the Competition.

p.

Confidential information The confidential information will be given out for each of the problems twenty minutes before the start of their rounds. Any team found sharing this information with the respective mediator of that team for that round or any other team will be disqualified.

Page 8 of 9

q.

Scouting
i.

Teams shall not be allowed to observe the mediation of another team unless that team is already out of the later rounds of the Competition. Scouting is strictly prohibited.

ii.

Scouting by any team shall entail instant disqualification.

XI.

Awards :
a.

A total prize money of Rs. 60,000 (approx.. $1100) is allocated for the different winners of cash prizes.

b.

There shall be three cash prizes Best Overall Team, Best Advocate/Client Pair and Best Mediator. The winners shall receive the following prize money:
1. 2. 3. Best Overall Team Rs. 30,000 (approx. $540) Best Advocate/Client Team Rs. 20,000 (approx. $360) Best Mediator Rs. 10,000 (approx. $180)

c.

All teams breaking to the quarter finals and beyond shall be given trophies and certificates of merit. All participating teams shall be given participation certificates.

XII. Anonymity :
a.

The participants shall not at any stage of the Competition disclose the name of their institution to the judges and shall have to use their assigned team Code.

b.

Non-compliance with this Rule will result in immediate disqualification of the team.

XIII. Clarifications : Clarifications regarding anything may be sought from any of the following:
a.

Mr. Prateek Mishra, Convenor, 2nd NLIU International Mediation Competition. Ph. +91 94256 03837 Ms. Shradha Roy, Co Convenor, 2nd NLIU International Mediation Competition. Ph. +91 96173 22296 Mr. Aditya Mohanty, Event Coordinator, 2nd NLIU International Mediation Competition. Ph. +91 94256 00333

b.

c.

d. Email ID for all correspondence: nliu.mediationcompetition@gmail.com XIV. Interpretation: e.

The interpretations of these rules are subject only to the organizing committee of the 2nd NLIU International Mediation Competition. The organizing committee reserves the right to modify, amend, delete or add to this Rulebook at any time as per their convenience.

Page 9 of 9

FORM-I: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE FOR TEAM

Name of Law School: Team Number (In case more than one from Law School): Name of Member 1: __________________________________________________________________________ Name of Member 2: _______________________________________________________________________________ Name of Member 3: _____________________________________________________

Please fill up this space in not more than 250 words on what co-curricular law school activities your law school takes part In and how you can contribute to this Tournament (use the backside of the paper if necessary)

FORM-II: REGISTRATION AND TRAVEL DETAILS (Fill out the form in BLOCK LETTERS legibly and clearly with a black pen)

Name of Law School: Team Number (in case more than one slot allowed from Law School): Address: _______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Name of Member 1 (Team Contact Person):____________________________________________ Email: _________________________________________________________________________ Phone: __________________________________ Gender: Male/Female Arriving By: Flight/Train/Bus Departing By: Flight/Train/Bus

Arrival Date (DD/MM/YYYY): __________________________________________ Arrival Time (HH:MM a.m./p.m.): __________________________________________ Departure Time (HH:MM a.m./p.m): __________________________________________
Please affix a recent passport size photograph (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm)

Name of Member 2: _______________________________________________________________ Email: __________________________________________________________________________ Phone: __________________________________________________________________________

Gender: Male/Female Flight/Train/Bus

Arriving By: Flight/Train/Bus

Departing By:
Please affix a recent passport size photograph (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm)

Arrival Date (DD/MM/YYYY): __________________________________________ Arrival Time (HH:MM a.m./p.m.): __________________________________________

Departure Time (HH:MM a.m./p.m): __________________________________________

Please affix a recent passport size photograph (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm)

Name of Member 3: __________________________________________________________________

Email: ________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ________________________________________________________________________________

Gender: Male/Female

Arriving By: Flight/Train/Bus

Departing By: Flight/Train/Bus Arrival Date (DD/MM/YYYY): Arrival Time (HH:MM a.m./p.m.): __________________________________________ __________________________________________

Departure Time (HH:MM a.m./p.m): __________________________________________ Name of Paying Bank:

(Wire Transfer Payment Slip to be attached to this document before sending. Original of this document and Wire Transfer Payment Slip to be carried to the Tournament venue for final registration)

Date (DD/MM/YYYY):____________

(Signature of Dean of Law School with seal)

FOR
the in LETTERS and with a

Name of Visa Applicant 1: Nationality: Passport No.: Passport Issuing Date (DD/MM/YYYY): Passport Expiry Date (DD/MM/YYYY): Name and Address of Indian Embassy to whom Invitation Letter will be addressed: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of Visa Applicant 2: Nationality: Passport No.: Passport Issuing Date (DD/MM/YYYY): Passport Expiry Date (DD/MM/YYYY): Name and Address of Indian Embassy to whom Invitation Letter will be addressed: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of Visa Applicant 3: Nationality: Passport No.: Passport Issuing Date (DD/MM/YYYY): Passport Expiry Date (DD/MM/YYYY): Name and Address of Indian Embassy to whom Invitation Letter will be addressed: ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________