RGNUL Punjab To Organise Its 5th RGNUL Negotiation Competition, 2025

The Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (CADR), Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab in collaboration with Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, Markanda Advocates, Justice KP Bhandari Foundation, SCC Times, Centre for Trade and Investment Law, and Kovise Foundation Conflict Resolution International is set to organise the 5th edition of RGNUL Negotiation Competition, 2025 (5th NegComp) from 7th-9th November, 2025 in a virtual set-up.

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 objective of evolving and imparting legal education, including distance and continuing legal education at all levels, to achieve excellence. The Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (CADR) was established in RGNUL in 2018. From the beginning to its 7th year of operation, CADR has aimed to promote students' and researchers' interest in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. The ultimate objective of the Centre is to strengthen the ADR process in the country by emerging as a platform for students to further their interests in the field.

To further its aim, CADR has been organising the RGNUL Sports and Entertainment Law Mediation Competition (SEMC) since 2019 and the RGNUL National Negotiation Competition since 2021. The NegComp is one of India's premier competitions in the field of negotiation, pitting the best budding ADR enthusiasts against one another. Despite the turbulent times brought by COVID-19, the novel edition of the competition was organised in 2021, however, in a virtual setup. The second and third editions of the competition were organised at the lush campus of RGNUL, and the fourth edition in virtual mode, which saw the participation of more than twenty-four (24) universities from all across India. Being one of the two flagship competitions organised by CADR, alongwith some of the organisations in the industry ranging from the Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI), the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine School of Law, Mediator Network to the Centre for Advanced Mediation Practice (CAMP), Justice Kuldip Prakash Bhandari Foundation, Chandigarh, Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution Team (PACT), Krida Legal and Markanda Advocates as past collaborators.

The 5th NegComp will be held in online mode. There shall be multiple preliminary rounds followed by quarter-final rounds, semi-final rounds, and the final round. Universities interested in sending more than 1 team are requested to express their intention by reaching out to the undersigned. The allocation of the second slot is contingent on the availability of the total number of slots available with the Centre. It should be noted that the allocation of slots to any university will be a decision made solely by CADR-RGNUL, and shall be final and binding. The two-member Negotiating Team will comprise a client and a counsel who will mandatorily have to play both roles during preliminary rounds.

Eligibility

Any student enrolled in Undergraduate Law degree programme in any University recognised by the Bar Council of India as on 1st January 2025, is eligible to participate. Each participating team shall consist of a Negotiating Pair (i.e., a client and a counsel). The composition of the team will not be permitted to change once the same has been entered and submitted through the final registration form unless approved by the Organising Committee.

Registration Details

Universities/Colleges interested in sending their teams must complete the two-step process consisting of Provisional Registration and Final Registration. The provisional registration can be done by filling out the Google form on or before 11:59 p.m., 5^th October, 2025. The Organizing Committee will notify the selected universities through a confirmation mail for final registration. The Final Registration Form and Payment Link will be provided in the confirmation mail.

The Registration fee for the competition is INR 6500/- per team (exclusive of GST). Please note that this fee is non-refundable. Final registration of the team is subject to the successful payment of the registration fee within the stipulated time.

Important Details

5th October, 2025	Last Date for Provisional Registration
10th October, 2025	Release of GI
12th October, 2025	Last Date for Final Registration and Payment
20th October, 2025	Last Date to submit Clarifications
16th October, 2025	Release of List of Selected Candidates
23rd October, 2025	Release of Clarifications
28th October, 2025	Last Date to submit Negotiation Plan
7th-9th November, 2025	Dates of the Competition