Moot Court Competition | 3rd Justice R.C. Lahoti Memorial Moot Court Competition 2026 | Manav Rachna University in association with NHRC | Register by 20th Feb 2026

Moot Court Competition | 3rd Justice R.C. Lahoti Memorial Moot Court Competition 2026 | Manav Rachna University in association with NHRC | Register by 20th Feb 2026

Theme: Autonomous Weapon Systems, Artificial Intelligence, and Accountability in Armed Conflict
Dates: 12th–14th March, 2026
Venue: School of Law, Manav Rachna University, in association with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

About the School of Law, Manav Rachna University:

The School of Law (SOL), MRU) is dedicated to empowering law students to shape a just and equitable world through academic excellence, advocacy, and integrity.

• Offers B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), LL.B., LL.M. (1/2 years), and Ph.D. programmes.
• Founder member of the LSAC Global Law Alliance, ensuring world‑class legal education.
• Strong emphasis on clinical legal education, case study methodology, academia‑industry integration, and holistic professional development.
• Students are exposed to multidisciplinary learning, including environmental studies, foreign languages, and seminar courses.

Eligibility:

• Open to regular students enrolled in 5‑year integrated LL.B. or 3‑year LL.B. programmes.
• Each team must consist of two speakers and one researcher.
• Changes in team composition require approval from the Organizing Committee.
• Postgraduate law students are not eligible.

Important Dates:

Registration Fees:

• ₹5,500 per team (inclusive of food & accommodation)
• ₹3,500 per team (without food & accommodation)

Payment Details:

• Account Name: Manav Rachna University Operations
• Account Number: 50200050331373
• Bank: HDFC Bank Limited
• IFSC: HDFC0002549
• Branch: Palam Vihar, Gurgaon

Registration Link:

Prizes:

• Winners: ₹65,000 + 3 complimentary SCC Online subscriptions (worth ₹24,000 each) + Trophy + Medals
• Runner‑Up: ₹40,000 + Trophy + Medals
• Best Speaker: ₹10,000 + Trophy + Medals
• Best Memorial: ₹10,000 + Trophy + Medals
• Best Researcher: ₹10,000 + Trophy + Medals

Moot Proposition:

The case, Republic of Meridia v. People’s Collective of Kashan & International Autonomous Systems Corporation (IASC), explores accountability in armed conflict involving AI‑enabled autonomous weapon systems.

Key Issues Raised:

1. State Responsibility: Whether Meridia bears liability under International Humanitarian Law (IHL) despite autonomous targeting.
2. Corporate Liability: Whether IASC can be held accountable for negligent AI design and systemic bias.
3. Command Responsibility: Applicability of traditional doctrines when human oversight is minimal.
4. Algorithmic Bias: Whether AI systems with discriminatory outcomes violate international law.
5. Adequacy of Treaties: Whether Geneva Conventions, ICC Statute, and UN Guiding Principles sufficiently regulate autonomous weapons.
6. Remedies: What reparations victims of autonomous strikes are entitled to, and whether new frameworks are needed.

This proposition challenges participants to engage with cutting‑edge intersections of law, technology, and humanitarian protection.

Rules of the Competition:

• Team Composition: Maximum 3 participants (2 speakers + 1 researcher).
• Attire: Black & white Western formals (men), Western/Indian formals (women). Robes not permitted.
• Memorials:
  • Petitioner (blue cover) & Respondent (red cover).
  • Word limits: Substantive section ≤ 12,000 words; Statement of Facts ≤ 1,200 words; Summary of Arguments ≤ 1,200 words.
  • Citation style: Bluebook (20th Edition).
  • Anonymity required (no names/institution on memorials).
• Marking Criteria:
  • Oral Pleadings: Legal analysis, clarity, originality, persuasiveness, rebuttal skills.
  • Memorials: Application of facts, structuring of issues, legal principles, reasoning, grammar, and clarity.

Contact Information:

• Faculty Convenor: Mr. Aditya Verma (Assistant Professor, SOL, MRU) – adityaverma@mru.edu.in
• Student Convenors:
  • Chhayanshi Goyal – +91 9711065624 | chhayanshig@gmail.com
  • Anushka Goyal – +91 8800177764 | anushkagoyal12004@gmail.com
• General Queries: events.law@mru.edu.in

For More Information:

#JusticeRCLahotiMoot2026 #ManavRachnaLaw #NHRCIndia #InternationalHumanitarianLaw #AutonomousWeaponsLaw #AIAndAccountability #MootCourtIndia #LawStudentsIndia

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