Introduction

The NLIU Agreement Drafting and Presentation Competition, 2024 was organised by the NLIU Law Review to foster a learning of the practical aspects relating to the Law of Contracts. It was aimed at providing a hands-on experience in contract drafting, involving relevant aspects of the Law of Contracts and other related laws.

The competition problem addressed a niche area of law, asking participants to draft an Employment Agreement for the heads of a company undergoing acquisition. This involved an interplay of the elements various laws including employment law, corporate law, and transaction regulations, and was aimed at enriching the participants’ understanding and applicability of such laws.

The competition was structured into two rounds- with a preliminary round in which teams from law colleges all around the nation were invited to submit a draft agreement and a concept note. This was succeeded by the second round in which the top 15 teams were shortlisted and invited to the NLIU campus to present their agreements before a panel of esteemed professionals.

Collaborations

The competition was organised in collaboration with SCC Online and EBC Learning as the knowledge and skill partners respectively. Further, SCC Times was also the media partner for the competition while the competition was sponsored by India Bank.

Participating Teams

The competition received enthusiastic participation from various law colleges across the country with the preliminary round receiving submissions of over 130 agreements and concept notes. Out of these submissions, the top 15 teams were shortlisted and invited to the campus to participate in the presentation round which saw exceptional performances and a remarkable show of skills from the participants.

During the presentation rounds, participants were required to present and elaborate on the draft agreement and the terms incorporated thereunder. They were also questioned on the legal principles and rationales guiding the incorporation of these terms. The participants demonstrated exceptional skill and insight in their responses while elaborating on the strategic considerations behind these choices.

Progression of the Presentation Stage

The presentations took place over a day, with the Qualification rounds taking place in the first half of the day. These presentations took place before two panels, judged by Prof. Dr. Manish Yadav, Assistant Professor, NLIU Bhopal, Mr. Amit Pratap Singh, Assistant Professor, NLIU Bhopal, Mr. Syamantak Sen, Associate, Saraf and Partners, and Ms. Sakshi Ajmera, former Associate, Trilegal.

Post the Qualification rounds, the top 4 teams were announced who proceeded to the Final Rounds. The Final Rounds was judged by Ms. Pallavi Railkar, Head-Legal, VMock Inc., Mr. Anchit Oswal, Advocate and Partner, Khaitan & Co, and Ms. Deeksha Manchanda, Partner, Chandhiok & Mahajan, Advocates and Solicitors. This round was increasingly competitive with a focus on enhancing difficulty in the level of questions and creating a need for the participants to showcase their creativity.

Following the conclusion of the Final Rounds, a session on ‘Contract Drafting’ was organised offering an deep insight into the nuances of the drafting, structuring and rationale behind the different terms of a contract.

The session was followed by a Valedictory Ceremony wherein participants were awarded under the categories of “Winners”, “Runners Up”, “Second Runners Up” and the “Best-Written Submissions”. The Valedictory ceremony was graced by Professor Dr. Ghayur Alam, Faculty-in-charge, NLIU Law Review, Deeksha Manchanda, Partner, Chandhiok & Mahajan, Advocates and Solicitors, and Ms. Pallavi Railkar, Legal Head, VMock.

Winning Teams

After a thoroughly competitive and rigorous competition, the following participants were awarded:

Winner: Mr. Vikranta Barsay, National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam

Runners-Up: Ms. Sejal Panakanti and Ms. Khambhampati Mallika, O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU)

Second Runners-Up: Ms. Vidhi Agarwal and Ms. Sneh Singhania, Institute of Law Nirma University

Best Written-Submissions: Mr Vikranta Barsay, National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam

Overall, the event was an astounding success, witnessing an overwhelming participation of students and was graced by an esteemed panel of dignitaries, making the event a learning and insightful experience to all the participants.