Fourteenth Anniversary of the NUJS-HSF National Corporate Law Moot Competition

The firm is proud to have sponsored the fourteenth annual NUJS-HSF Corporate Law Moot Court Competition in Kolkata, India – a collaboration between the National University of Judicial Sciences and Herbert Smith Freehills which remains a key part of the firm's commitment to India.

The competition has grown to become one of the most popular and prestigious mooting events in India. With entries from twenty-five universities across India, this year's competition had the highest number of participants to date.

Held virtually across three intense days (11 to 13 March), the competition was attended by Dr Umakanth Varottil, Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore, who wrote this year's moot problems which comprised complex issues to do with directors' duties, shareholder activism and an environment-related class action claim against a company.

The final rounds were judged by Dr Umakanth Varottil, Chris Parsons (Chairman of the firm's India Practice), Andrew Cannon (Head of the firm's India Disputes practice), Fauzia Shakil and Rishad Ahmed Chowdhury (both advocates at the Supreme Court of India).

After a closely contested final round, the team from the National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kerala emerged as the winners. The runners-up from the National Law University, Odisha were highly commended by the judges. Symbiosis Law School, Pune received the prize for best written submissions, and Harshit Kapoor from Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Punjab was awarded the prize for the best speaker.

The judging panel congratulated and commended all the teams for their hard work and the skill they demonstrated in presenting their arguments.

Andrew Cannon commented:

"Even in its fourteenth year, the competition continues to go from strength to strength. The experience of the Moot stands graduates in good stead in their legal careers and in life in general as it demands critical thinking, skilful communication and teamwork."

Chris Parsons added:

"It is such a joy to be involved with the NUJS-HSF Moot again this year. I can't wait for next year when we can be there in person – and sample my favourite Indian dessert, mishit doi!"

As part of our wider commitment to India the firm continues to support various Indian law school initiatives including: the Herbert Smith Freehills Community Engagement Awards; the NLU Delhi International Negotiation Competition, the International Lecture Programme jointly organised in India by the firm and Oxford University, and HSF Bridge, which connects law students with local charities and social causes in India, currently running across five law universities.