The Trial Advocacy Committee of Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU), Tiruchirappalli, successfully conducted the 2nd TNNLU Commercial Trial Advocacy (Inter-University) Competition, 2026, on October 3 and 4, 2026, at the University campus. The competition witnessed participation from 17 teams representing law schools, colleges and universities across India, with each team comprising two speakers and one researcher. SCC Online served as the Media and Knowledge Partner, while Chambers 28 sponsored the competition.
The competition was centred on commercial trial advocacy, requiring participants to approach a dispute through contractual obligations, documentary evidence, witness examination and civil remedies. The proposition, drafted by the Office of Iyalapari & Poorvaja, concerned a dispute over the termination of a lease, recovery of possession and double-rent damages.
The competition commenced on October 3 with the inaugural ceremony, which included the Tamil Thai Vazhthu, reading of the Preamble and welcome address. Prof. Dr. Amirthalingam, the Chief Guest, was felicitated by Mr. Nimal Singh Heera and Ms. Shanthi Samandha, faculty in charge of the Trial Advocacy Committee.
Preliminary Rounds I and II were thereafter conducted, with teams assessed on case preparation, examination and cross-examination of witnesses, presentation of evidence, oral submissions and their responses to questions from the Bench. The commercial nature of the proposition also required participants to understand the underlying contractual relationship while developing their trial strategy. The top eight teams advanced to the Quarter-Finals, which were conducted later that day.
The Semi-Finals and Final were held on October 4. The four teams that reached the Semi-Finals included two teams from the School of Excellence in Law, Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University, Chennai, one team from Bennett University, Noida, and one team from The National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi. The Final was contested between the School of Excellence in Law, Chennai, and The National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi. The Final Bench comprised Tmt. C. Karthika, Special District Judge-II, dealing with M.C.O.P. Cases, Tiruchirappalli District Court; Mr. Diwagaar Radhakrishnan Sitaraman, Partner, VIVRITI Law, Chennai; and Prof. Dr. N. Ramapiran Ranjith Singh, Principal, Government Law College, Tirunelveli.
The School of Excellence in Law, Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University, Chennai, was declared the Winner. The winning team comprised Sai Shruthi A., Nivethitha Mahadevan and Pavietran S. The National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi, represented by Gouri Nandana V, Ann Michelle Simon and M. Aashritha, was declared the Runner-Up. Ansh Pandey of Bennett University was adjudged Best Advocate, while Pavietran S. of the School of Excellence in Law was adjudged Best Witness. Bennett University received the Best Memorial award.
The valedictory ceremony was attended by the participating teams, judges, faculty members and student volunteers. The judges were felicitated and addressed the gathering, following which the event concluded with the National Anthem.
