5th Edition CNLU International Mediation Competition 2027 by CNLU [Cash Prizes Rs 75K]: Register by Dec 20

Contents hide

1. About CNLU

2. About Chanakya Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (CCADR)

3. About the Opportunity

4. Competition at a Glance

5. Awards and Prize Pool

6. Important Timelines

7. Registration Fees and Payment

8. Registration Procedure

9. Contact

About CNLU

Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna, is one of India’s premier National Law Universities, established under the Chanakya National Law University Act, 2006 (Bihar Act No. 24 of 2006), and recognised under Sections 2(f) and 12(B) of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.

The University was founded on July 15, 2006, with a clear and visionary mandate: to provide quality legal education of the highest standard, raise national legal standards to a competitive international level, and promote legal awareness within the broader community in furtherance of the constitutional goals of justice, equality, and the rule of law.

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About Chanakya Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (CCADR)

The Chanakya Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (CCADR), established in 2021 at Chanakya National Law University, Patna, serves as a premier hub for academic research, practical skill-building, and professional engagement in the field of dispute resolution.

CCADR operates with a clear and ambitious vision: to develop a congenial environment within CNLU and beyond for students, researchers, and practitioners to further their interest in ADR and to compete at the national and international levels. Towards this end, the Centre regularly organises national and intra-college ADR competitions, panel discussions, workshops, training sessions, lectures and interactive engagements with practitioners, academicians, and industry experts.

About the Opportunity

Building on the resounding success of its four preceding editions, the Chanakya Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (CCADR) is proud to announce the first-ever International Mediation Competition (IMC), 2027. While this marks the fifth occasion on which CCADR is organising the Competition, it is the Centre’s inaugural undertaking on a global platform, promising a grander and more enriching experience for all participants.

The 2026-27 edition will once again adopt a hybrid format, this time welcoming the participation of institutions, peers and practitioners from India and abroad. The Online Rounds are scheduled for 16th–17th January 2027, with the results for the Top 8 Teams to be released between 17th–18th January 2027, followed by the Offline Rounds to be held at the CNLU campus, Patna, on 13th–14th February 2027.

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The Competition aims to cultivate a deep understanding of the complexities and intricacies of the mediation process by enabling students to learn and interact with experienced practitioners, distinguished experts, and esteemed academicians in the field. As its first international edition, the Competition seeks participation from prestigious institutions across India and abroad, further establishing its legacy as a premier ADR competition of international standing.

Competition at a Glance

Eligibility: Bonafide students pursuing a three-year or five-year LL.B. programme (or an equivalent undergraduate or first professional law degree, such as the J.D. or LL.B. (Hons.), for institutions outside India) at law schools, colleges and universities recognised by the Bar Council of India or, outside India, by the competent regulatory or accrediting authority.
Team composition: Three participants per team – one Mediator and one Client–Counsel pair (the Negotiating Team).
Slots: Maximum capacity of 40 teams; each university may book up to two slots through provisional registration, after which remaining slots are filled on a first-come-first-served basis.
Rounds: Preliminary, Quarter-Final, Semi-Final and Final Rounds. The Top 8 Teams qualify from the Preliminary Rounds, followed by the Top 4 and the Top 2 for the Finals.
Certificates: All participating teams receive a Certificate of Participation.

Awards and Prize Pool

The Competition carries a collective prize pool of ₹75,000, distributed across six award categories. Every award is accompanied by an internship opportunity.

Award Category	Cash Prize	Recognition
Winning Negotiating Team	₹25,000	Trophy and internship opportunity
Runner-up Negotiating Team	₹15,000	Trophy and internship opportunity
Winning Mediator	₹12,500	Trophy and internship opportunity
Runner-up Mediator	₹7,500	Trophy and internship opportunity
Best Mediator (Preliminary Rounds)	₹10,000	Certificate of Merit and internship opportunity
Best Negotiating Pair (Preliminary Rounds)	₹5,000	Certificate of Merit and internship opportunity
Total Prize Pool	₹75,000	Certificate of Participation for all teams

Important Timelines

Release of Brochure cum Rulebook and Beginning of Registration – 19th October, 2026
Last Date for Provisional Registration – 31st October, 2026
Last Date for Final Registration – 20th December, 2026
Release of Preliminary Rounds Problem – 25th December, 2026
Online Rounds – 16th – 17th January, 2027
Release of Results for Top 8 Teams – 17th – 18th January, 2027
Offline Rounds – 13th – 14th February, 2027

Registration Fees and Payment

Registration is completed in two stages: provisional registration by universities (last date: 31st October, 2026) and final registration (last date: 20th December, 2026). The registration fees are as follows:

Indian teams: INR 7,500 per team for the Online Rounds. Qualifying teams and mediators attending the Offline Rounds pay an additional INR 5,000 per Negotiating Pair and INR 2,500 per Mediator.
International teams: USD 100 per team for the Online Rounds. Qualifying teams and mediators attending the Offline Rounds pay an additional USD 66 per Negotiating Pair and USD 33 per Mediator.
Offline Rounds fee: Includes accommodation and meals at CNLU, Patna, and local transport during the Competition. It remains payable in full if a team arranges separate accommodation or does not stay in the accommodation provided.

All registration fees must be transferred to the account below, and proof of payment must be emailed to [email protected] by 20th December, 2026.