National Client Counselling Competition at Dharmashastra National Law University 2025

National Client Counselling Competition – Apply Now for November 2025 Opportunity

About the University/Organization

The Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), Jabalpur, is one of India’s youngest yet most dynamic national law universities, established under the Madhya Pradesh National Law University Act, 2018. Since its inception, DNLU has rapidly evolved into a hub of academic excellence, legal research, and practical skill development, driven by its mission to produce ethically grounded and professionally competent legal practitioners.

Contents

Guided by the motto of advancing legal education through research, dialogue, and critical inquiry, DNLU provides students with a rich ecosystem that bridges theoretical study and real-world practice. Among its many academic initiatives, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Cell (ADRC) plays a pivotal role in cultivating negotiation, mediation, and client-handling skills—skills that are indispensable in contemporary legal practice.

The ADRC has previously hosted the National Rounds of the Louie M. Brown and Forrest S. Mosten International Client Consultation Competition (ICCC), 2022, further establishing its credibility in promoting ADR-based education and client counselling excellence. Building on this legacy, ADRC-DNLU proudly announces the 1st National Client Counselling Competition 2025, designed to refine the art of client interaction and legal advisory communication among budding law professionals.

About the Competition

The National Client Counselling Competition aims to simulate a real-world client-counsel interview scenario, testing law students on one of the most crucial aspects of professional practice — understanding, advising, and communicating with clients effectively.

This competition transcends traditional mooting and focuses on developing practical legal interviewing and advisory skills. Participants will act as advocates who must demonstrate empathy, analytical reasoning, and legal strategy while addressing a hypothetical client’s problem.

The competition seeks to:

Encourage students to understand the interpersonal dynamics of lawyer-client relationships.
Promote awareness about preventive lawyering and conflict management.
Develop participants’ ability to identify legal issues, explore options, and provide practical advice.

The Alternative Dispute Resolution Cell (ADRC) of DNLU will host the event online, ensuring accessibility to participants across the country while maintaining high standards of professionalism and fairness.

Event Timeline

Stage	Date
Application Opens	25th October 2025
Application Deadline	15th November 2025
Competition Dates	22nd – 23rd November 2025

Location and Mode

Mode	Platform / Venue
Online	Virtual (Zoom / Google Meet)

Format and Structure

● Duration: Two-day national-level competition (22nd–23rd November 2025)
● Working Hours: Fixed time slots allotted for each round
● Supervisor / Faculty Advisor: Dr. Shruti Nandwana, Assistant Professor (Law), DNLU Jabalpur

Competition Rounds:

Preliminary Rounds
Semi-Finals
Final Round

Each round will simulate a client consultation session, where teams interact with a client (portrayed by actors) and provide legal advice within the time limit. Performance will be judged based on communication, analysis, and professionalism.

Eligibility & Requirements

Open to all undergraduate law students enrolled in any recognized law school or university in India.
Team Composition: Two members (Client-Counsel team); maximum two teams per institution allowed.
Registration limited to 30 teams on a first-come, first-served basis.
Participants must have a strong interest in ADR, client interaction, or dispute resolution.

Required Skills:

Legal reasoning and issue-spotting
Empathy and interpersonal communication
Strategic thinking and ethical awareness
Advisory and counselling abilities

Additional Highlights

● Certificate of Participation: Awarded to all participants.
● Cash Prizes:
Winner – ₹20,000 + Certificate of Merit
Runner-Up – ₹15,000 + Certificate of Merit
Best Counsel – ₹10,000 + Certificate
Runner-Up Counsel – ₹5,000 + Certificate
● Recognition: Opportunity to gain national exposure and certification from a leading NLU.
● Professional Development: Enhances advocacy, client management, and ADR competencies.
● Networking: Connect with peers, ADR experts, and faculty mentors nationwide.

FAQs – National Client Counselling Competition

Q1. Who can apply for this National Client Counselling Competition?
All law students pursuing a 3-year or 5-year LL.B. program from any recognized law school or university are eligible to participate.

Q2. Is this National Client Counselling Competition paid or unpaid?
The competition requires a registration fee of ₹3,000 per team, which is non-refundable.

Q3. What is the last date to apply?
The application deadline is 15th November 2025, and registrations are strictly on a first-come, first-served basis (maximum 30 teams).

Q4. What is the selection process?
Registration confirmation is granted upon submission of the online form and payment. Teams are accepted based on registration order.

Q5. Will I get a certificate after completion?
Yes. Every participant receives a Certificate of Participation, and winners receive cash prizes and merit certificates.

Important Links

● Registration Form Link

Downloadables

● Brochure

pdf&rendition=1 (4)Download

Contact

● Faculty Advisor: Dr. Shruti Nandwana, Assistant Professor (Law), DNLU Jabalpur
● Convenor: Mr. Shaurya Sain Mathur – +91 98280 21468
● Co-Convenor: Ms. Agrima Raman – +91 89571 66184
● Email: adrc@dnlu.ac.in
● Address: Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh – 482005

National Client Counselling Competition – Legal Skill-Building Opportunity at Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur (November 2025); Apply by 15 November