7th Kerala Law Academy Trial Advocacy Competition (Hybrid) 2026 [Sep 18–Oct 10]

About Kerala Law Academy Law College

Kerala Law Academy Law College, Peroorkada, Thiruvananthapuram, is a well-known law institution offering practical legal education through moot courts, trial advocacy competitions, and other litigation-oriented exercises.

About the Moot Court Society

The competition is organized by the Kerala Law Academy Trial Advocacy Moot Court Society, which has been conducting trial advocacy competitions to help students develop practical courtroom skills, including examination-in-chief, cross-examination, and evidence handling.

About the Competition

Unlike conventional appellate moots, the Kerala Law Academy Trial Advocacy Competition requires teams to conduct an actual criminal trial, complete with witness examination, cross-examination, and final arguments adhering to the principles and procedures of a Criminal Trial Court.

This year’s proposition, State v. Anil Bhaskar, involves charges under Sections 69, 89, and 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (sexual intercourse by deceitful means, causing miscarriage without consent, and abetment of suicide). The problem is built around the new criminal law framework of the BNS, BNSS, and BSA, 2023, and includes prosecution and defence witnesses, documentary exhibits, digital evidence, forensic handwriting analysis, and medical records.

Eligibility

Open to all law colleges/law schools/universities and Departments of Law in India recognized by the Bar Council of India
Open to LL.B. students from both three-year and five-year courses
Multiple teams from the same institution may participate with explicit institutional permission

Team Composition

Maximum of 3 members per team – 2 Speakers and 1 Researcher
Composition must be confirmed at registration; changes must be communicated on or before 1st September 2026
No rearrangement of roles permitted after finalization
No coach, assistant, or external person allowed in the courtroom during any round

Format & Structure

Mode: Hybrid (Online Preliminary Rounds + Offline Finals)

Round	Details
Round 1: Procedural Test	30 objective questions (25 minutes) based on BNSS, BNS & BSA; +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect; conducted via online viva-voce for the Researcher; Top 15 teams qualify
Round 2: Preliminary Rounds	2 sessions (Prelims 1 & 2); each team argues once as Prosecution, once as Defence; Top 4 teams advance
Round 3: Semi-Final	Knockout round; one session per team; winners advance to Finals
Round 4: Final Round	One trial session; Prosecution vs Defence

Time Distribution per Round (~2 hrs 24 min):

Witness Briefing (Prosecution: 25 min / Defence: 10 min)
Opening Statements: 2 minutes each side
Witness Examination – Prosecution: Chief (20 min) + Cross (30 min)
Witness Examination – Defence: Chief (10 min) + Cross (10 min)
Preparation Break: 5 minutes
Final Arguments: 15 minutes per side

Marking Criteria

Ability to Conduct Examination
Articulation and Presentation of Arguments
Understanding of Procedural Law
Knowledge and Application of Law
Knowledge and Use of Facts
Witness Management
Courtroom Etiquette

Dress Code

Anonymity is mandatory — no institutional logos permitted.

Male participants: White shirt, black trousers, black blazer, black tie
Female participants: White shirt/kurta with black churidar trousers or formal pants, black blazer

Registration Process

Provisional Registration: Email klatrialadvocacy@keralalawacademy.in
Final Registration: Submit the proforma via this Google Form by 1st September 2026

Registration Fees

Initial registration fee: ₹1,000 (non-refundable), payable via the college website
Teams selected after the procedural test must pay an additional ₹2,600
Transaction proof must be emailed to klatrialadvocacy@keralalawacademy.in

Awards

🏆 Winner: Merit Certificate + Cash Prize of ₹15,000
🥈 Runner-Up: Merit Certificate + Cash Prize of ₹10,000
📜 All participants receive E-Certificates of Participation

Important Dates

Date	Event
1st September 2026	Last date for registration
8th September 2026	Last date for clarifications
9th September 2026	Allotment of team codes
10th September 2026	Procedural Test (Online)
13th September 2026	Deadline for final registration fee
18th September 2026	Inaugural Session & Lotting
19th–20th September 2026	Preliminary Rounds & Semi-Finals
10th October 2026	Final Rounds & Valedictory Session