Last weekend, the best legal minds from across the country came together at the India National Round of the 14th Henry Dunant Memorial Moot Competition, 2014. The top eight teams from the north and south qualifying zonal rounds clashed for the coveted trophy. The event was organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in collaboration with the Indian Society of International Law (ISIL) on 16-17 August 2014 in New Delhi.

The team from National Law University (NLU), Jodhpur, clinched the Henry Dunant memorial trophy for the second time in a row. The team from Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University (RMLNLU), Lucknow, was the runner-up. In the individual prize categories, the Best Advocate award was won by Kerala Law Academy; the Best Researcher award by National Law University, Odisha; and the Best Memorial was awarded to RMLNLU, Lucknow.

The Henry Dunant Memorial Moot Competition is one of the flagship IHL events of the ICRC in India, and attracts students from various parts of the country. For the first time since its inception in 2001, the competition witnessed a new format with the introduction of two qualifying zonal rounds — south and north. The objective of this revamped structure was to create greater awareness and sensitization on international humanitarian law (IHL).

“The time had come, now, for us to expand the Moot Court competition to each corner of this vast country… As such, the ICRC and ISIL developed a new structure of the Henry Dunant Moot Competition in India. Two zonal rounds were introduced — to make inroads into law colleges and institutions situated in more remote corners of states across the country. We believe that it is our collective responsibility to take this academic opportunity to the doorsteps of all legal institutions, which may not normally have been in their reach,” said Ms Mary Werntz, the head of the ICRC regional delegation in South Asia, while welcoming the participants.

The inaugural session was attended by Dr EMS Natchiappan, President, ISIL, and Justice Madan B. Lokur of Supreme Court of India. “Moot court competitions or mooting helps students strengthen their skills in research, writing, communication and analysis,” Justice Lokur advised the participants, adding that he too has benefited from the event.

The teams faced a formidable bench of legal experts. Professor V S Mani, director, Jaipur National University, Prof Rahmat Bin Mohammad, secretary general, AALCO and Dr Neeru Chaddha, joint secretary, Legal & Treaties Division, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, were the judges for the final round. It was an over two-hour-long engaging session, showcasing the finest of legal advocacy by the mooters. The top two teams from the India National Round 2014 have sealed a berth for themselves in the forthcoming 10th Henry Dunant Memorial Regional Moot Competition, 2014, South Asia Round, scheduled on 26-27 November at Tehran, Iran.

The moot court competition, the biggest in the country, offers the legal student fraternity a platform to showcase their mooting skills and pit their talents against the best in the field. “During this final round of the Henry Dunant Moot Court competition, we have witnessed the finest mooting skills on display. Students have participated in this weekend’s event with professionalism and commitment to the Rule of Law,” said Ms Werntz.

In her closing remarks, Ms Werntz iterated the need to respect IHL. “As a global community, we need to remind ourselves that even wars have limits. These limitations – enshrined in law – are imposed to protect those persons who do not, or no longer, participate in hostilities. Injured members of the Armed Forces, Prisoners of War and Civilians all deserve protection under the law. We need to understand, integrate and practice the fundamental IHL principles of Distinction, Necessity, Proportionality, Limitation and Precautionary Measures. These, ladies and gentlemen, are not dead letters. They are living principles that impact real people and their lives,” she said.

ICRC New Delhi