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RGNUL to Host Surana & Surana India Rounds of 31st Stetson Environmental Moot Court 2026
, Punjab, has been selected to host the India rounds of the 31st Stetson International Environmental Moot Court Competition (IEMCC), scheduled for . The competition, organized in collaboration with , will bring together law students from India and Nepal to engage with pressing issues in international environmental law.
Competition Structure and Key Dates
The official rules released by the organizers outline a rigorous schedule. Online registrations open on , and close on . Teams must pay a registration fee of Rs. 5,900 (including GST) and submit soft copies of their by , for international evaluation and , for the India rounds. The competition will follow a , starting with where every team argues both sides, followed by octa-finals, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final on .
Team Composition and Eligibility
Each team can consist of up to five members, but only three—two speakers and one researcher—are eligible to advance to the international finals. Additional members will receive participation certificates only. Teams must upload a scanned approval letter from their institution, signed by the head of the institution, to complete registration. Only one team per college or university is permitted, though students from different schools may form a team with prior approval.
Memorial Submission and AI Policy
must follow the international rules format and include a cover page in specified colors—light blue for applicants, light red for respondents. The rules explicitly address the use of generative AI tools, stating that teams are fully responsible for ensuring no fabricated or fictitious sources are included. The organizing committee will review all , and found with inaccuracies face significant , including .
and Judging
In the preliminary and knockout rounds, teams will have 30 minutes per side for , increasing to 45 minutes in the semi-finals and final. A minimum of two judges will preside over early rounds, with at least three judges for later stages. Judges will not announce results after each round; results will be disclosed at the valediction ceremony. The best student advocate award will be based solely on preliminary round scores.
Accommodation and Travel
RGNUL will provide accommodation from , with separate lodging for male and female participants. Shuttle services will transport participants between accommodation and campus. Teams must submit their travel plans by .
Path to the International Finals
The top three or more teams from the India rounds, subject to international rules and committee approval, will represent India at the Stetson IEMCC international finals from , at in Gulfport, Florida, USA. The competition promises a rigorous test of legal research, , and , fostering a deeper understanding of environmental law among future legal professionals.
Key Observations:
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"The India rounds rules are complementary to the International Rules. Details not specifically mentioned may be referred from the International rules."
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"If teams choose to use generative AI tools... they are fully responsible for ensuring that no fictitious, fabricated, or non-existent facts, information, quotations, and/or sources are included."
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"Only 3 members each from the top teams shall be eligible to participate in the International rounds."
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"Memorial scores will be added to the individual oral scores during the
for declaring the winners. Memorial scores will not be added at the knockout stage."
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"The Administrators’ decision shall be final in all matters concerning the competition."
The competition aims to provide a platform for students to engage with contemporary environmental challenges while developing critical advocacy skills, with the ultimate prize of representing India on the international stage.
