NLUO Unveils Innovative Double-Credit Course on Supreme Court Pleading Drafting

Introduction

National Law University Odisha (NLUO) , in collaboration with the Chambers of Abhinav Mishra Advocates & Solicitors, has launched a comprehensive double-credit course focused on the drafting of pleadings before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India . Scheduled virtually from February 12 to March 9, 2026, the course aims to equip law students, young practitioners, and legal professionals with practical skills essential for high-level litigation. Led by renowned advocate Mr. Abhinav Mishra , who serves as Panel-A Counsel for the Government of India , the initiative bridges academic learning and courtroom practice, emphasizing procedural compliance and advocacy excellence. This launch underscores NLUO's commitment to ' justice education ' through innovative, hands-on training.

Case Background

The course emerges from the Recruitment Coordination Committee (RCC) of NLUO's inaugural three-year LL.B. batch, representing students with diverse academic backgrounds seeking to integrate theory with practical legal application. Established in 2009 under the National Law University Orissa Act, 2008 , NLUO is recognized by the UGC and Bar Council of India , positioning itself as a center for interdisciplinary legal learning. The partnership with Chambers of Abhinav Mishra addresses a key gap in legal education: the lack of substantial drafting exposure despite its centrality to litigation. The program targets undergraduate and postgraduate law students, professors, advocates, and law officers from corporations or government agencies. Key questions addressed include how to frame effective pleadings under Supreme Court Rules, 2013 , and navigate various petition types, from writs to appeals, in appellate, constitutional, and original proceedings. Registration opened with an early bird deadline of February 10, 2026 , and a final cutoff on February 12 .

Arguments Presented

While not a litigated case, the course rationale highlights the 'petitioner' perspective of legal academia and young professionals, who contend that traditional curricula often overlook hands-on drafting, leaving graduates unprepared for Supreme Court practice. Proponents, including NLUO's RCC and Mr. Mishra, argue for blending doctrinal knowledge with simulation-based exercises to foster precision, structure, and professional standards. On the 'respondent' side—representing industry demands—the collaboration counters by emphasizing real-world needs: efficient pleadings that comply with rules, present concise synopses, and narrate relevant facts. Key points include the course's focus on criminal and civil appeals, special leave petitions , public interest litigations , and more, with 32 hours of virtual sessions designed to refine skills amid high-stakes domains like arbitration, corporate law, and white-collar crimes. Participants must maintain 75% attendance to qualify for the mandatory 1.5-hour online MCQ assessment, ensuring practical engagement.

Legal Analysis

The course structure draws on principles from the Supreme Court Rules, 2013 , which govern pleading formats, including synopsis, factual narration, questions of law, and grounds. Modules integrate analysis of filed pleadings and simulations, referencing procedural laws for writ petitions , appeals, reviews, and contempt proceedings. Precedents in clinical legal education are implicitly invoked through Mr. Mishra's experience in securing reportable judgments across the Supreme Court and High Courts , highlighting relevance in areas like insolvency and intellectual property. The program distinguishes between compoundable offenses ' compounding and non-compoundable ones' quashing criteria —though not directly a judgment analysis—by training on ethical litigation standards . Emphasis is placed on compliance and innovation, avoiding speculation in drafts while ensuring societal impact considerations in public interest matters. This approach aligns with NLUO's motto, " satye sthito dharmah " (Law locates in truth), promoting truth-based advocacy.

Key Observations

• "This Double Credit course has been designed to provide practical exposure to drafting pleadings before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India , ranging from Writ Petitions to Appeals."
• "Considering that academic learning often does not entail substantial drafting exposure, despite its centrality to an efficient litigation practice, due emphasis shall be placed on presenting a concise synopsis and sequence of events."
• "Through structured modules, the participants/attendees shall be allowed an opportunity to engage in drafting, inter alia, Civil and Criminal Appeals , Special Leave Petitions , Writ Petitions , Public Interest Litigations , Transfer and Contempt Petitions , including Review and Curative Petitions ."
• "The University was established with a vision to go beyond conventional legal education and provide ' justice education ,' as articulated by its founding Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Faizan Mustafa."

Court's Decision

In announcing the course, NLUO and its partners have committed to delivering 32 hours of training via Google Meet, culminating in a 100-mark MCQ evaluation. Participants achieving the attendance threshold will receive certification, with top performers potentially eligible for internships at Chambers of Abhinav Mishra . Fees range from INR 700 (early bird for NLUO students) to INR 2,100 for others, accessible via ICICI eazypay. This initiative empowers future litigators by standardizing Supreme Court drafting skills, potentially reducing procedural errors in future cases and enhancing access to justice. It sets a precedent for collaborative legal education, influencing similar programs nationwide and preparing professionals for the Apex Court 's rigorous standards.