Surana Advocacy Moot Court Competition 2026-27

3rd Surana & Surana Trial Advocacy Moot Court Competition (South Rounds) 2026-27 Master the New Criminal Laws (BNS, BNSS, BSA) at TNDALU, Chennai! Com

3rd Surana & Surana Trial Advocacy Moot Court Competition (South Rounds) 2026-27

Master the New Criminal Laws (BNS, BNSS, BSA) at TNDALU, Chennai! Compete for a ₹70,000 Prize Pool. Register by August 25, 2026.

The landscape of Indian criminal law has undergone its most profound transformation since 1860. With the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), the old colonial codes (IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act) have been entirely replaced. For law students, this is a defining moment. Memorizing the new sections is not enough; you must know how to apply them in a live courtroom.

To help students master this paradigm shift, the School of Excellence in Law (SOEL), The Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University (TNDALU), Chennai, in collaboration with Surana & Surana International Attorneys, has officially opened registrations for the 3rd Surana & Surana Trial Advocacy Moot Court Competition (South Rounds) 2026–27.

Unlike traditional appellate moot courts where you merely argue points of law before a bench, a Trial Advocacy competition drops you right into the trenches of a trial court. You will be examining witnesses, conducting cross-examinations, presenting evidence under the new BSA rules, and delivering compelling opening and closing statements. If you want to be a formidable trial lawyer, this is the arena where you prove your mettle.

Competition Snapshot: Quick Facts

Before diving into the detailed rules, here are the essential details you need to know:

• Organiser: SOEL, The Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University (TNDALU), Chennai.
• Event Name: 3rd Surana & Surana Trial Advocacy Moot Court Competition (South Rounds) 2026-27.
• Core Focus: Criminal Trial Advocacy under the new BNS, BNSS, and BSA laws.
• Total Prize Pool: Worth ₹70,000.
• Registration Deadline: August 25, 2026.
• Event Dates: September 25–27, 2026 (In-person at Chennai).

Why You Must Participate: The Shift to the New Criminal Laws

Most law students graduate with excellent research skills but severely lack trial skills. The Surana & Surana Trial Advocacy competition forces you to step out of your comfort zone. This year, the stakes are exceptionally high because the entire case proposition and courtroom procedure will be governed by the new criminal codes enacted in 2024.

What you will experience:

1. Master the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)

Forget Section 302 for murder; you are now arguing under Section 103 of the BNS. You will have to frame your charges, understand the newly introduced offenses (like organized crime or mob lynching if applicable to the problem), and apply the updated sentencing guidelines, including community service.

2. Navigate the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)

Trial procedure is now dictated by the BNSS. This means understanding the new strict timelines for investigations, the new rules regarding police custody, and the integration of electronic FIRs and digital summons into the trial procedure.

3. Present Evidence under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)

The BSA has drastically modernized the rules of evidence, particularly concerning digital and electronic records. In a trial advocacy competition, getting your evidence admitted (and objecting to the opposing counsel's evidence) using the correct BSA provisions is what wins you the Trial Advocate of the Year award.

Eligibility & Competition Format

Eligibility: The competition is strictly open to students currently pursuing a 3-year LL.B. or a 5-year integrated B.A. LL.B./B.B.A. LL.B. from institutions recognized by the Bar Council of India. Note that only one team per institution is permitted to participate.

The Format: Trial advocacy is intense. Here is how the event will unfold:

• Procedural Test (Virtual): Scheduled for August 26, 2026. Note: This test will only be conducted if registrations exceed 18 teams. It acts as a qualifier to select the top 18 teams for the oral rounds.
• Orientation & Memorial Exchange: September 25, 2026, upon arrival in Chennai.
• Preliminary & Quarter Finals: September 26, 2026. This is where your witness examination skills will be severely tested.
• Semi-Finals & Finals: September 27, 2026, concluding with the Valedictory Ceremony.

The Awards: A Massive ₹70,000 Prize Pool

Surana & Surana competitions are highly prestigious, and the awards reflect that prestige. The total prize pool is ₹70,000, distributed as follows:

Award Category	Prize Amount & Recognition
Trial Advocacy Team of the Year	Plaque + ₹25,000 Cash Prize
Second Best Team of the Year	Plaque + ₹15,000 Cash Prize
Trial Advocate of the Year (Best Speaker)	Plaque + ₹10,000 Cash Prize
Second Best Trial Advocate	Plaque + ₹5,000 Cash Prize
Best Memorial Award	Plaque + ₹10,000 Cash Prize
Second Best Memorial Award	Plaque + ₹5,000 Cash Prize

Registration Process & Important Deadlines

The absolute last date for Online Registration and Stage I Fee Payment is August 25, 2026.

Two-Stage Registration Fee:

• Stage I: All registering teams must pay an initial fee of ₹2,006 (₹1,700 + 18% GST of ₹306) on or before August 25, 2026.
• Stage II: If your team qualifies for the top 18 spots (after the virtual procedural test), you must pay the final registration fee of ₹2,006 by September 6, 2026.

*Note: The registration fee does not cover accommodation charges. Please refer to the official rules for hostel/accommodation policies at TNDALU.*

Critical Timeline

• August 25, 2026: Deadline for Registration & Clarifications.
• August 26, 2026: Virtual Procedural Test & Results.
• August 27, 2026: Release of Clarifications on the Proposition.
• September 6, 2026: Memorial Submission (Soft Copy), Travel Plans, and Stage II Fee Deadline.
• September 25-27, 2026: On-Campus Oral Rounds in Chennai.

Master the New Criminal Laws (BNS, BNSS, BSA)

Are you struggling to adapt your moot court memorials and arguments from the old IPC/CrPC framework to the new Sanhitas? Do not risk losing marks on procedural errors. Deepen your understanding of the new criminal codes, stay updated with landmark judgments, and explore expert moot court strategies at Barristery Current Affairs & Legal Studies. Elevate your legal acumen and dominate the courtroom!

Ready to Object? How to Apply

Participating in a Surana & Surana Trial Advocacy Moot is a badge of honor for any aspiring litigator. It proves to top-tier law firms and senior advocates that you possess the grit, confidence, and practical knowledge required to survive a real trial court.

Form your team (1 team per university!), study the new criminal laws rigorously, and ensure your registration is completed before the August 25th deadline.

Official Registration & Materials

Click Here to Register Online
Download the Official Case Proposition & Rules (PDF)

For Queries, Contact the MCA SOEL Team:
Email: ssia.soel.trialadvocacy2026@gmail.com
Ms. Monicaa: +91 9600132526
Mr. Arun A: +91 8124799899