INADR International Law School Mediation Tournament 2026 by School of Law, DY Patil University: Register Now!

About School of Law, DY Patil University 

Nestled in the picturesque campus at Nerul in Navi Mumbai, DY Patil Deemed to be University (DYPU) is synonymous with excellence in higher education. Since its establishment 21 years ago, DYPU has made ground breaking changes in higher education and witnessed exceptional growth and rewarding success of students and faculty.

DY Patil School of Law (DYPSOL) is committed to nurturing industry-ready legal professionals equipped to meet the evolving demands of the legal world. The School offers a dynamic learning environment that blends academic rigour with practical exposure. Through student-managed committees, new initiatives, and social development programs, students gain a broader understanding of law beyond the classroom.

About the Event

The International Law School Mediation Tournament (ILSMT) 2026 is an international intercollegiate mediation competition hosted by DY Patil School of Law, Navi Mumbai, India, from 25 to 28 November 2026.

The tournament is designed to help young professionals and students better understand the mediation process and peaceful conflict resolution. The primary distinction of this tournament is that participants must act not only as advocates and clients but also as mediators — making it a uniquely comprehensive experience.

A vital component is the pre-tournament training in mediator and advocacy skills, provided by INADR Board members and recognized experts. Training is offered at both beginner and advanced levels.

Venue: DY Patil Deemed to be University, School of Law, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, India.

Host Institution: DY Patil School of Law is a student-centric institution affiliated to DY Patil University, offering programs including B.B.A LL.B (Hons), B.A LL.B, LLB, LLM, and Ph.D. The university has a 72-acre campus with 40 years of legacy in education.

Eligibility

• Participants must be current higher education students (undergraduate or master’s level).
• Recent graduates (no more than 12 months prior to the tournament) are also eligible.
• People engaged in post-graduate practical legal training (first-year trainees) are eligible.
• A team is composed of three participants.
• Individual participants (without a pre-formed team) may also express intention to participate; the Organizing Committee will discuss possibilities with them.
• A team may bring and register one alternate who can join a BYE team if available.
• Each team can be accompanied by a maximum of two Coaches.
• The official and only language of competition is English.

Theme

The tournament focuses on mediation and peaceful conflict resolution. There is no single overarching thematic title — each round uses a different case covering a dispute scenario. General case information is sent to registered teams 10–14 days before the tournament, while confidential information is shared 60 minutes before each round.

Submission Categories / Competition Roles

Each team member must perform all three roles across the preliminary rounds:

• Mediator — Conducts the mediation, makes opening remarks (max. 4 minutes), conducts caucuses, and manages timekeeping within the 90-minute limit.
• Advocate — Represents and argues the client’s position in mediation.
• Client — Participates in the mediation as the party with interests to resolve.

In the preliminary rounds, each member must act as mediator once, advocate once, and client once. In the final round, the team decides role allocation.

Prizes / Awards

• The top ten individual mediators after preliminary rounds will be recognized and awarded trophies.
• The top ten advocate/client pairs after preliminary rounds will also be awarded trophies.
• The top ten mediation and advocate/client teams will receive team trophies.
• Special awards may be issued at the discretion of INADR, the tournament host, or sponsors.
• Participants who attend all Training Sessions will receive a Certificate of Completion of mediation training.

Note: Trophies will only be awarded at the awards ceremony. Organizers will not send trophies to participants who did not attend the ceremony.

Formatting Guidelines (Tournament Rules)

• The mediation must be completed within 90 minutes.
• Mediator opening remarks: maximum 4 minutes.
• Advocate/Client Opening Statements: maximum 8 minutes.
• Caucuses: should last no longer than 10 minutes as a guideline.
• Self-evaluation preparation: 5 minutes; self-evaluation itself: no longer than 10 minutes.
• No pre-prepared materials may be brought into the round to be presented to judges or competitors.
• No use of technology such as smartphones, smartwatches, PowerPoint, or other presentation software during the round.
• Teams may use competition-supplied materials, personal notes, a calculator, a wristwatch, and a whiteboard if available.
• Only photographs or documents from the General Information may be shown during the mediation, unless Confidential Information includes a visual aid.

Selection / Scoring Guidelines

Mediators and advocate/client teams are scored separately by two or more independent judges. Both categories are scored across six categories, with 0–10 points in each:

For Mediators:

1. Opening Statement of the Mediator
2. First Caucus
3. Conference
4. Qualities of a Good Mediator
5. Cooperation between Mediators
6. Self-Evaluation

For Advocate/Client Teams:

1. Advocate’s Opening Statement and Client’s Opening Statement
2. First Caucus
3. Conference
4. Teamwork between Advocate and Client
5. Overall Evaluation
6. Self-Evaluation

Advancement to Finals:

• Based first on number of judge ballots won.
• Second (in case of tie) on margin of victory.
• Any remaining ties broken by total scores.
• Top four teams in each category qualify for the final round.

Ethics:

• Lying is forbidden. Teams must stay within the facts of the case.
• Inventing material facts, misrepresenting facts, or sharing confidential information can result in disqualification.

Submission / Participation Guidelines

• General case information will be sent 10–14 days before the tournament start.
• Confidential information will be shared 60 minutes before each round.
• Clarification requests regarding General Information must be submitted within 3 days of its disclosure.
• All queries can be directed to: [email protected] / [email protected]
• Coaches may assist Advocates and Clients after distribution of Confidential Information but only until the mediation begins.
• Mediators cannot communicate with coaches after confidential facts are distributed.
• Coaches may not scout other teams.
• Participants must be on time for all scheduled events; late participants are subject to penalties including disqualification.

Important Dates

The registration deadline will be determined and posted by the Organizing Committee on the registration page, INADR website, and social media.

Registration Fees

• Registration fees for a team of three, coaches, and alternates/individual participants will be determined by the Organizing Committee and may vary by tournament.
• Teams are responsible for paying all banking charges and transfer fees.
• The registration fee includes an invitation to all tournament events: training, opening reception, and awards ceremony.
• An additional fee may be required for coaches attending onsite.
• Non-payment within the communicated time limit may lead to disqualification.
• In the unlikely event of cancellation, participants will be offered a full refund. The Organizing Committee is not responsible for flights, hotels, or visa expenses.

Registration Process

Click Here to Register.

1. Register initially via the registration link  provided on the INADR/DY Patil School of Law website and social media.
2. After initial registration, teams will be contacted by the Tournament Organizing Committee for additional information.
3. Teams will be notified of acceptance after review. Acceptance is based on availability of spaces and background in mediation.
4. Participation is confirmed only upon payment of the registration fee and completion of any additional required information.
5. A payment confirmation email will be sent to the team.

Submission Procedure

• There is no written submission. Participation is through live mediation rounds.
• Teams register via the official link, submit required information to the Organizing Committee, and complete fee payment.
• Coaches must declare in the Registration Form the number of coaches and whether they will attend onsite.
• The team should ensure all members are entitled to travel to India and apply for visas in a timely manner if required.

Contact Information

The brochure is here.