USLLS EQUI LAW PARTNERS ESSAY COMPETITION REPORT

Introduction
The competition was open to law students enrolled in 3-Year LL.B. programme and 5-Year integrated law programme. The theme of the competition revolved around the field of Alternate Dispute Resolution. The competition gave creative freedom to participants to express their opinions and academic research skills, keeping the suggested themes in mind.

Preference was given to essays which added to the academic discourse over the theme and objectives. Submissions which merely summarised or analysed the case were not to be preferred unless they were found to be exceptional. The acceptance of the submitted articles was subject to the evaluation criteria and process determined by the ADR Cell Editorial Board. The shortlisted articles were then subject to a comprehensive review.

The winners were decided by the Editorial Board in consultation with the sponsors; the same is final and not open to any challenge. The essays will be compiled and print-published in a book as well as on the website of USLLS ADR Blog, with all rights reserved by the University.

The published copies would be circulated to the top law colleges, libraries, law firms and arbitration institutions, with the collaborative effort of the University School of Law and Legal Studies and our sponsors.

Evaluation Process
The essay evaluation process was structured into four distinct stages. Initially, the Copy Editors conducted a preliminary review of the essays. Following this, the Associate Editors, composed of students with strong writing skills, assessed the essays based on a comprehensive 4-point criteria. Subsequently, Managing Editors, who held Ph.D. qualifications, carefully evaluated the results and comments provided by the Associate Editors. Finally, the Faculty Members undertook the critical task of examining the assessments and feedback from the Managing Editors to determine the ultimate winners. Throughout this rigorous process, the sponsors also contributed their insights and perspectives, enriching the overall evaluation experience.

Winners of the Competition

1st Place: Avantika Tiwari, NLSIU

Title of Essay: Devas v. Antrix: The Contentious Approach of the Indian Judiciary towards the Enforcement of BIT Arbitral Awards

2nd Place: Natasha Singh, NALSAR

Title of Essay: A Collision of Proceedings: The Interplay between Arbitration & Insolvency Law

3rd Place: Jatin Yadav, HNLU

Title of Essay: Striking a Balance between Confidentiality & Holy Grail of Public Interest: Amicus Curiae in Investor-Treaty Arbitration

Honorable Mention: Simran Walia, RGNUL

Title of Essay: The Interplay of Conflicting Principles Between Arbitration and Insolvency Proceedings

Honorable Mention: Prathik Charlu

Title of Essay: Cross-Border Cultural Challenges and Linguistic Inconsistencies in the Realm of International Arbitration

Prizes and Awards

Cash Prizes and gifts amounting to Rs. 20,000/- are being given to the top 3 entries of the competition.

• 1st Prize-Rs. 10,000/-
• 2nd Prize-Rs. 6,000/-
• 3rd Prize-Rs. 4,000/-

All selected essays are to be compiled and published in a curated publication to be circulated amongst top law Universities and firms. Selected essays are being published on the USLLS ADR BLOG website as well.

The top 5 Authors selected for publication are being offered an offline internship opportunity with EquiLaw Partners, subject to their policy.

The authors of the top 10 entries are being given a 1-Year subscription to the legal database curated by CaseMine.

A ‘Certificate of Merit’ was provided to all the accepted entries.