1st Birla Mediation Competition 2026 at Birla School of Law, Bhubaneswar
About the Organiser
Birla Global University (BGU), Bhubaneswar is a private self-financed university established under the Birla Global University Odisha Act, 2015. Located on a 30-acre campus at IDCO Plot No. 2, Gothapatna, Bhubaneswar.
BGU comprises seven schools, including the Birla School of Law (BSOL), established in 2018, aiming to provide high-quality legal education with strong infrastructure and distinguished faculty. The university is managed by a Board of Governors chaired by Smt. Jayashree Mohta, with the Governor of Odisha as Chancellor.
About the Competition
The 1st Birla Mediation Competition 2026 is a national-level event organised by Birla School of Law in honour of the late founders, B. K. Birla and Late Sarala Birla.
The competition is designed to develop and showcase mediation, negotiation, communication, client counselling, problem-solving, and collaborative dispute resolution skills. It emphasizes principled dialogue, party autonomy, confidentiality, relationship preservation, and mutually acceptable solutions.
Competition Structure
- The competition will be held in four stages: Preliminary Rounds, Quarter Finals, Semi-Finals, and Final Round.
- Preliminary and Quarter Final rounds are conducted online on October 3 and October 5, 2026, respectively.
- Semi-Finals and Finals will be held on-site at Birla Global University campus, Bhubaneswar on October 30, 2026.
- Top 8 Negotiating Teams and Mediators advance from preliminaries; knock-out rounds thereafter determine finalists and champions.
Eligibility
- Open to students enrolled in three-year or five-year integrated law degree programmes from any university, law school, college, or department in India.
- Multiple teams may participate from the same institution.
Team Composition
- Each team consists of three members: 1 Mediator, 1 Client, and 1 Counsel.
- The Client and Counsel form the Negotiating Team; the Mediator is evaluated separately.
- Roles to be internally allocated and communicated as prescribed.
Registration & Payment
- Registration fee is ₹1,000 per team.
- Registration/payment deadline: September 30, 2026.
- Accommodation for teams qualifying for Semi-Final/Final rounds is available for an additional ₹2,000 per team, payable by October 23, 2026.
- Registration fees are non-refundable after payment.
- Payment and registration can be made via the QR code/payment link provided by organisers at the end of the post. The QR code is also available in the brochure.
Session Format & Mediation Process
- Each mediation session lasts 30 minutes followed by 10 minutes of feedback and scoring.
- A caucus of up to 5 minutes may be conducted where parties meet privately with the mediator.
- The mediation follows stages including opening/introduction, statement of disputes, issue identification, joint discussion, caucus (if required), option generation, negotiation, and settlement/closure.
Rules and Code of Conduct
- Participants must act professionally, respectfully, and neutrally according to their roles.
- Anonymity and confidentiality rules are strictly enforced; participants must use assigned team codes and not disclose institutional identity.
- Western or Indian formals are required for the dress code; English is the official language.
- Any misconduct, scouting, or unauthorized communications may result in disqualification.
Accommodation and Transport
- Accommodation for Semi-Final and Final teams on October 30 is available upon payment of ₹2,000 per team.
- Teams are responsible for their own travel to Bhubaneswar; transport from accommodation to venue will be arranged by organisers.
Awards
- Top teams and mediators will be adjudged as champions based on a comprehensive evaluation framework focusing on mediation skills and professionalism.
Important Dates
- Registration Deadline: September 30, 2026
- Accommodation Payment Deadline: October 23, 2026
- Preliminary Rounds (Online): October 3, 2026
- Quarter Finals (Online): October 5, 2026
- Semi Finals & Finals (On Campus): October 30, 2026
How to Register?
- Interested teams should register and make payment through the provided QR code or payment links given below and can be found in the brochure.
- All correspondence and team member details must be communicated through the authorised head of the participating institution.
- For clarifications, teams may contact us via email at bsol.event@bgu.auc.in before September 23, 2026.
Contact Details
- Prof. (Dr.) Sukanta K. Nanda, Dean, Birla School of Law, Birla Global University
- Mr. Yogendra Singh, Faculty Convenor: +91 9178422171
- Ms. Ashna Siddiqui, Faculty Convenor: +91 9778992522
- Email: bsol.event@bgu.auc.in
- Venue: IDCO Plot No. 2, Gothapatna, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
