SLS Pune wins South Asia Regionals of the FDI International Arbitration Moot

Symbiosis Law School, Pune emerged Winners of the South Asia Regionals of the Foreign Direct Investment International Arbitration Moot, 2021, organized by the Center for International Legal Studies and were conducted virtually from 27^th – 30^th August 2021.

The team consisted of Devika Radha, Manasi Desai, Shreya Mukherjee, Jahanvi Sharma and Harsh Khanchandani.

In addition to being adjudged winners, Devika Radha was ranked 2nd and Manasi Desai was ranked 5th in terms of overall oral scores in the Preliminary Rounds, receiving citations as Honourable Mention Advocates.

Their team was also the only one to receive a winning vote from every single arbitrator who judged their Preliminary Rounds.

The competition witnessed a participation of 24 teams across the South Asia Region and the top four teams qualified to the FDI Global Rounds scheduled virtually from 28^th October to 3^rd November 2021. The other three teams to have qualified to the Globals include RMLNLU Lucknow, GLC Mumbai and NLSIU Bangalore.

The finals was a face off between Symbiosis Law School, Pune as Claimant and RMLNLU, Lucknow as the Respondent and was live streamed on YouTube. The third place match was also conducted simultaneously between GLC Mumbai as Claimant and NLSIU Bangalore as the Respondent, subsequent to which GLC Mumbai bagged the third place.

The moot problem was based on an aviation sector investment which faltered on account of the changing economic circumstances and certain measures undertaken by the host State. The problem contemplates an investor-State arbitration under the ICSID Additional Facility and raises questions relating to standing of State-owned enterprises before ICSID Tribunals, amicus brief admissibility, nature of fair and equitable treatment claims and the appropriate standard of compensation.

“Overall it was a very challenging endeavour since none of us had any previous experience with arbitration moots. This would not have been possible without the help of our alumni, especially Aayushi Singh who guided us throughout our preparation for the moot.”

Details of the Team Members:

1. Devika Radha: (Oralist) - 5th year BBA LLB, batch 2017-22

2. Manasi Desai: (Oralist) - 5th year BA LLB, batch 2017-22

3. Shreya Mukherjee: (Oralist) - 5th year BA LLB, batch 2017-22

4. Jahanvi Sharma: 4th year BA LLB, batch 2018-23

5. Harsh Khanchandani: 3rd year BBA LLB, batch 2019-24

Achievements:

1. Winners of the South Asia Regional Rounds of FDI International Arbitration Moot, 2021

2. Honourable Mention Advocates: Devika Radha (ranked second) and Manasi Desai (ranked fifth)

Colleges qualifying to Globals: This year the top four teams were as follows (in the same order):

1. Symbiosis Law School, Pune

2. RMLNLU, Lucknow

3. GLC, Mumbai

4. NLSIU, Bangalore

(This note was shared by Campus Ambassdor Manasi Desai)