On the occasion of the golden jubilee of India's Independence, the Bar Council of India held the 14th All India Moot Court Competition for law student. Goa University was the host University and the moot courts were organized by the V. M. Salgaocar College of Law. In all, student-teams representing 26 universities from all over India, participated in the Grand Moot Court Competition. The Event is a very treasured one, as for the College had the pleasure of hosting Honb’le Justice J. S. Verma (Then Chief Justice of Supreme Court of India), as the Chief Guest on the occasion. National Law School of India University, Bangalore emerged Champions at the Grand Finale, while Kerala Law Academy, Kerala, emerged Runners up.

 

A Report

Hon’ble Justice J. S. Verma, Chief Justice of India, inaugurated the Moot Court Competition at 10 a.m., on 18th October 97, in the Library Hall of V. M. Salgaocar College of Law, in the distinguished presence of Mr. 0. P. Sharma, Chairman, Bar Council of India, Mr. T. P. Singh, Managing Trustee, Bar Council of India Trust, Prof. B. S. Sonde, Vice Chancellor, Goa University, Mr. S. V. Salgaocar, President, Devi Sharvani Education Society, Mr. Arun Mishra, Vice Chairman, Bar Council of India, Mr. Dhairyasheel Patil, Member, Bar Council of Maharashtra, Mr. S. Gopa Kumaran Nair, Bar Council Member from Kerala, Mr. R. N. Tandon, Secretary, Bar Council of India Trust, members of the judiciary in Goa, other members of the Bar Council, Registrar, Goa University and other dignitaries.

After the inaugural function, the first round of the Moot Court Competition began, 26 teams battled out in 13 court rooms, each of which was presided over by two senior members of the Bar from Goa and some judicial officials. The results of the First Round were announced at 2 p.m. and the Second Round of the Competition between 14 teams in 7 court rooms were held 4 top teams were selected to participate in the semi final round which was held on 19th October from 9 a.m. onwards.

Each court at the Semi Finals was presided over by two senior advocates of the Panjim Bench of The Bomay High Court and a member of the Bar Council. Court Room No. 1 was presided over by Advocate G. U. Bhobe and Advocate S.D. Lotlikar and the Bar Council member from Maharashtra, Mr. Dhairyasheel Patil. The contesting teams were Kerala University v. Goa University.

Court Room No.2 was presided over by Adv. S. K. Kakodkar and Adv. Gilman Coelho Pereira and Mr. Arun Mishra, Vice Chairman, Bar Council of India and the contesting teams were Karnatak University and National Law School of India University. National Law School of India University and Kerala University were declared the Winners at the Semi Finals.

The finals were held at 11.30 a.m. and were presided over by the two sitting judges of the Bombay High Court, Panaji Bench, namely, Hon’ble Justice R. K. Batta and Hon’ble Justice R. M. S. Khandeparkar. National Law School of India University was declared the Winner and Kerala University the Runner Up.

The Prize Distribution Function was held at 3.30 p.m. Shri Domnic Fernandes, Minister for Law and Judiciary, Government of Goa, was the Chief Guest. The function was presided over by Mr. O. P. Sharma, Chairman, Bar Council of India, who gave away the prizes to the winners, Runners Up and the participating teams. Besides, Mr. Ashwanth Rao of National Law school of India University was awarded the Best Male Advocate Prize and Miss. Shantala Matti of Karnatak University won the Best Female Advocate prize. In addition, prizes were awarded for the Best Advocates of each of the Rounds. The President of the Managing society of the College, Mr. S. V. Salgaocar, instituted two additional cash prizes for the Best Written Memorials. The Best Written Memorial Cash Prize of Rs. 2001 was awarded to National Law School of India University and the Second Best Written Memorial Prize of Rs.1001/- was awarded to Goa Un1versity.

After the Prize distribution programme, the students of V. M. Salgaocar College of Law entertained and enthralled the audience with a cultural programme wherein the students depicted the history and culture of Goa beginning from the time of Vedic Age to the present day in dance and music.

Contact Information

The Principal,
V.M. Salgaocar College of Law,
Miramar - Panjim, Goa,
403 001 - India.
Phone: +91-832-462225
Fax: +91-832-421571
Email: principal@vmslaw.edu