JK News Today
Jammu, September 20: The Department of Law, University of Jammu, in collaboration with Surana & Surana International Attorneys, organised the Surana & Surana Trial Court Advocacy Moot Court Competition, North Rounds 2026-2027, from September 18 to 20 at the University of Jammu.
A total of 26 teams enrolled for the Trial Court Advocacy Competition, of which 18 teams were selected to participate following an intensive screening process.
On the third day of the competition, the semi-final rounds were held at the Department of Law and adjudicated by senior judicial officers of Jammu, namely Ms. Sonia Gupta, District and Sessions Judge and Director, J&K Judicial Academy; Sh. Parvaiz Iqbal, District and Sessions Judge, NDPS Court; Sh. Tahir Khurshid Raina, District and Sessions Judge; Ms. Samriti Sharma, CJM; Sh. Ajay Sharma, CJM; and Sh. Raj Kumar, Special Mobile Magistrate.
The adjudicators had an extensive interaction with the participating teams. Following the rounds, they also held an interactive session with the participants and shared practical inputs and insights aimed at helping the budding lawyers strengthen their advocacy skills for the future.
The final round was held at the Brigadier Rajinder Singh Auditorium and was adjudicated by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjay Parihar and Ms. Monika Kohli, Senior Additional Advocate General. The panel held an extensive interactive session with the finalists after the round. A cultural programme was also organised by the students of the Department of Law.
The valedictory function was subsequently held at the Brigadier Rajinder Singh Auditorium. Hon’ble Mr. Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal was the Chief Guest, while Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjay Parihar and Ms. Monika Kohli, Senior Additional Advocate General, were the Guests of Honour. Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, presided over the function.
Presiding over the function, Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, underscored the importance of a strong value system in advocacy and said legal education must go beyond classrooms and textbooks to provide students with opportunities to learn through experience.
He said competitions such as moot courts and trial advocacy provide students with a platform to understand how legal principles operate in real situations. They enable students to develop the ability to think on their feet, construct arguments, respond to questions and, equally importantly, listen to opposing viewpoints.
Prof. Rai emphasised that experiential learning must become an integral part of higher education, particularly in professional disciplines such as law. While knowledge of statutes and precedents provides the foundation for a lawyer, he said, the ability to apply that knowledge with integrity, sensitivity and sound judgement ultimately defines the quality of a legal professional.
Referring to the value system in advocacy, the Vice-Chancellor said professional success cannot be measured merely by winning an argument or a case. A lawyer must also remain conscious of the larger responsibility towards justice, society and the institutions that uphold the rule of law. He encouraged the students to combine professional competence with ethics, empathy and intellectual honesty as they prepare themselves for their careers.
Congratulating all the participating teams for their enthusiastic and healthy participation, Prof. Rai appreciated the Department of Law for organising programmes that expose students to practical dimensions of the legal profession. He said such initiatives help bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice and prepare students to face real-world challenges with greater confidence.
Addressing the gathering, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal appreciated the efforts of the Department of Law and Surana & Surana International Attorneys for organising such a commendable initiative for law students.
He underlined the importance of speedy trials and observed that law touches the lives of everyone. Referring to the legal profession as a noble calling, he said reputation and the trust of clients are built over years and require patience, perseverance and professional integrity.
He said preparation, persistence and sound legal knowledge are essential for building a successful career in law. Referring to eminent jurist Nani Palkhivala and his rise in the legal profession, he highlighted the importance of persistence and dedication. He told the students that growth in the legal profession may sometimes remain silent, but sincere effort is never wasted.
He further emphasised that lawyers must hold their ground with dignity and maintain faith in the justice delivery system. Stressing the importance of professional ethics, he said intelligence without integrity could turn into arrogance. He advised young lawyers to cultivate patience and appear before courts with complete preparation, irrespective of occasional setbacks in legal battles.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjay Parihar, Guest of Honour on the occasion, shared his lifetime experiences with the audience and spoke about his journey in the legal profession, including the transition from entering the profession by compulsion to pursuing it by choice.
He emphasised that the legal profession involves continuous learning, particularly through exposure to court culture and practice. Referring to the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence in the legal field, he cautioned against excessive dependence on AI and stressed that its output must be practically tested and subjected to human reasoning and legal scrutiny.
Ms. Monika Kohli, Senior Additional Advocate General, in her deliberations emphasised that patient listening, both to the opposing counsel and the Bench, is an essential quality of a good lawyer. She said every case should be treated as an opportunity to gain experience and grow professionally.
She advised young lawyers not to lose heart even when they lose a case despite putting forward their best arguments. Professional ambitions, she said, can be realised by maintaining integrity, patience and commitment to the profession.
Mr. A.D. Johnson Christy, Manager of Special Projects for Academic Initiatives, Surana & Surana International Attorneys, highlighted the importance of moot courts and mock trials in shaping competent legal professionals.
He said such initiatives are essential for developing good lawyers as advocacy is tested not merely through knowledge but also through the ability to respond to opponents and judges and deal with unpredictable situations. He said knowledge, skill, experience, precision and preparation are essential attributes in the legal profession.
Prof. Arvind Jasrotia delivered the vote of thanks.
NMIMS, Chandigarh, emerged winner of the Surana & Surana Trial Court Advocacy Moot Court Competition, North Rounds 2026-2027, while MIET School of Law, Jammu, secured the runner-up trophy.
During the valedictory function, awards were presented to the participating teams. In the Best Team category, NMIMS, Chandigarh, won the first prize, while MIET School of Law, Jammu, was declared runner-up.
The Best Speaker Award was won by Ms. Anushka Bhardwaj of NMIMS, Chandigarh, while the Best Student Advocate Award was won by Ms. Unnati Jain of Lloyd Law College, Greater Noida. The Best Memorial Award was won by the team from GNDU, Amritsar.
The student coordinators who worked tirelessly towards the successful conduct of the event included Sunny Singh Rajput, Lakshita Singh, Nitasha, Urvashi, Anurag, Mohit and Mahapara.
