7th R.C.

CHOPRA MEMORIAL NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2019

7th R.C. Chopra Memorial Moot Court

Competition, 2019
March 1-2, 2019.

St. Solider Law College (SSLC), Jalandhar, 144011 (Punjab)

Phones:-09815158269, 0181-2690088
Website:- www.stsoldiergroup.in; E-mail:- [email protected]
 7th R.C. CHOPRA MEMORIAL NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2019

MOOT PROBLEM

Sunita and Mahesh (a Major in Indian Army), both resident of Jalandhar, belonging to Ravidasia
community of Punjab, who are Hindus by religion, got married in 2007 in Anand Karaj form of marriage,
which is the marriage ceremony of Sikhs. The couple got their marriage registered as per the provisions of
The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and in effect a marriage certificate was issued by the authorities. Out of
this wedlock two children were born in the year 2008 and 2011 respectively.
In 2008, after taking retirement from Indian Army, Mahesh went to England for higher studies and stayed
there for two years. Then in April 2010, he moved to Canada and called his wife to join him there along
with their first child. In January 2011, their second child was born in Canada. In February 2011, he went to
New York. Thereafter he asked Sunita to go back to India. In March 2011, Sunita along with her children
came back to Punjab (India).
After moving to New York, Mahesh severed all his contacts with Sunita. He had developed an extra
marital affair with a lady named Elizabeth Prescott. In January 2012, Sunita wrote a letter to Mahesh
expressing her willingness to join Mahesh in New York. Mahesh in reply wrote to Sunita that she should
not come to New York, as he was interested in getting their marriage dissolved. In April 2012, he filed a
petition for divorce in Trial Court of New York on the ground that his marriage has irretrievably broken
down.
Sunita could not contest these proceedings, she having no means to go to New York. Meanwhile in July
2012, the trial court of New York granted a divorce decree in favour of Mahesh. Further, the court ordered
that the husband would pay to the wife and children an amount of Rs. 50000 per month for their
maintenance. Since Mahesh failed to pay maintenance to wife and children, Sunita approached the Trial
Court of New York through a letter and prayed that she be provided legal aid. Thereafter, proceedings
were initiated and warrants of arrest were issued against Mahesh. She further said that the ex parte decree
of divorce obtained by the husband was not binding on her and was illegal and that she continues to be the
wife of Mahesh. She further asserted that as per the provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1956, the
grounds of divorce (on the basis of adultery, cruelty and desertion) under section 13 of the Act are
available to the wife under the given set of circumstances. In fact, she is the actual victim, who was being
further victimized by the order of the New York, Trial Court.
In April 2013, Sunita filed a petition under section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 for Restitution of
Conjugal Rights in the District Court, Jalandhar. Mahesh appeared in the Court and filed an application for
dismissal of petition. He did not file any written statement and he referred to the decree of divorce granted
 7th R.C. CHOPRA MEMORIAL NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2019

by the Trial Court of New York and said that despite of notice, Sunita did not contest the same and by not
raising any objection she is deemed to have accepted the jurisdiction of the Foreign Court in trying the
petition and thus making the decree nisi-absolute by the Foreign Court. Further, by accepting the
maintenance, Sunita again in-effect accepted the judgment of the foreign Court and is thus estopped from
filing the present petition (Under Section 11 read with Section 151 of Civil Procedure code, 1908). The
case is pending for adjudication in District Court, Jalandhar. Prepare memorials and argue from both sides.
Legal Issues -
1. Whether the marriage of Sunita and Mahesh is valid as per the provisions of The Hindu Marriage
Act, 1955?
2. Whether non-contest by the wife of divorce petition filed by the husband in a Foreign Court imply
that she had conceded to the jurisdiction of the Foreign Court?
3. Whether the principle of Res-Judicata under Section 11 of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908 is
applicable to the proceedings being initiated in District Court, Jalandhar?

Statutes to be referred
1. The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
2. Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
3. International Comity of Courts
4. Other Relevant Laws
 7th R.C. CHOPRA MEMORIAL NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2019

RULES & REGULATIONS

1. DATES AND VENUE:
i. The 7th R.C. Chopra National Prized Moot Court Competition 2019 is scheduled for 1st and 2nd
March, 2019.
ii. The venue for the event is St. Soldier Law College, St. Soldier Educational Complex,
Jalandhar-Amritsar Byepass (NH – 1), Near National Institute of Technology, Lidhran,
Jalandhar, 144011
2. PRIZES
i. Winning Team – INR 11,000/-
ii. Runners Up Team – INR 5,100/-
iii. Best Student Advocate – INR 2,100/-
iv. Best Researcher – INR 2,100/-
NB:- Best Researcher Award shall be based on the score in memorials.
3. TEAM PRE-REQUISITES:
i. Each team shall comprise of Three (3) members ONLY, out of which two (2) will be
speakers and one (1) researcher.
ii. Arguments shall generally be in English.
iii. The competition is open for bonafide students pursuing five year and three years LL.B
courses.
iv. Teams are barred from disclosing the identity of their institution during the course of
proceedings in the Court Rooms. Any disclosure of team identities shall invite penalties
including disqualification.
v. Each team shall be provided with the team code at the time of the registration.
4. REGISTRATION
i. The Registration form completed with all Team Details must be submitted online by 31st of
December’2018 ([email protected]) and the same must reach (hard copy) to us, on or
before 15th January, 2019
ii. A registration fee of Rs. 3500/- shall be sent by way of Demand Draft drawn in favour of
“St. Soldier Law College”, payable at Jalandhar along with the registration form.
iii. No change in the names of the participants shall be permitted after the receipt of the
Registration Form.
 7th R.C. CHOPRA MEMORIAL NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2019

iv. Teams should clearly mention the names of all participants in the team, including course,
year/semester of study and contact no.
v. No team would be facilitated with the certificates during the competition. The same shall be
provided only in the Valedictory Ceremony. No certificates will be sent through courier.
5. DRESS CODE
Inside the court room the participants shall follow the below mentioned dress code:
i. Females: White Kurta, Black Salwar and Black Dupatta or White Shirt and Black Trousers
along with the Black Coat and Tie.
ii. Males: White Shirt, Black Trousers, Black Tie along with Black Coat and Black Shoes.
6. ACCOMMODATION
The participants would be provided Accommodation for the period of the Competition in the premises
of the Institute. Please note that separate accommodation will be provided for girls and boys. However,
they may sit together for team work in the library/café of the institute. You are advised to check the
weather conditions of Jalandhar before leaving from your native places.
7. COMPETITION ROUNDS
(i) In total 32 teams shall be competing. All the rounds shall be on Knock Out basis.
(ii) There shall be total FIVE ROUNDS spread over a period of 2 days i.e. 1st – 2nd of March,
2019.(3 rounds on 1st and later 2 rounds on 2nd March, 2019)
a. Preliminary Round (comprising of 32 teams)
b. Pre-Quarter Round (comprising of 16 teams)
c. Quarter Finals, (comprising of 08 teams)
d. Semi- Finals and (amongst of 04 teams)
e. Grand Finale (between 02 teams)
7.1. RULES FOR ALL THE ROUNDS
(i) The criteria of marking shall be the aggregate total of the marks of both the speakers added
with overall performance of the teams.
(ii) MARKING CRITERIA FOR THE ARGUMENTS: Each Speaker shall be marked on a total
of 100 marks by each Bench Judge. The following will be the Marking Criteria and the
Marks allocated to each speaker by each Judge in all Rounds:
a. Appreciation and Application of Facts. (10) Marks
b. Identification and Articulation of Issues. (10) Marks
c. Application of legal principles. (10) Marks
d. Use of authorities and precedents. (10) Marks
 7th R.C. CHOPRA MEMORIAL NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2019

e. Response to questions. (10) Marks

f. Presentation skills. (10) Marks
g. Clarity of thoughts and logical structure of Arguments. (10) Marks
7.2. GRNAD FINALE
i. It shall be presided over by a sitting/retired High Court Judge.
ii. The results of the final round shall lead to the selection of:

The Winning Team,

The Runners Up Team, and

The Best Student Advocate
8. TIME SCHEME FOR ROUNDS PRELIMINARY ROUND, PRE-QUARTER FINALS AND
QUARTER FINALS
i. Each team shall be given a total of 30 minutes (maximum) to present their case.
ii. Each speaker should speak for a minimum 10 minutes
iii. One speaker shall not take more than 17 minutes of the total time.
iv. The maximum time for Rebuttals and Sur-Rebuttals is 5 minutes.
8.1. SEMI FINAL ROUNDS AND FINAL ROUND
i. Each team will get a total of 45 minutes to present their case.
ii. Each speaker should speak for a minimum of 15 minutes.
iii. One speaker shall not take more than 25 minutes of the total time.
iv. The maximum time for Rebuttals and Sur-Rebuttals is 7 minutes.
8.2. MAXIMUM TIME ALLOTTED
The maximum time provided would include the time that each team may wish to reserve for their
rebuttal/sur-rebuttal. At the commencement of each session, the team shall notify the Court
Officer/Court Clerk regarding the division of time between the 2 speakers (including rebuttal/sur-
rebuttal).
9. MEMORIALS
i. All teams must submit the soft copy of their Memorials for both sides AND all teams must SEND
two (2) Hard Copies of their typed Memorials for both sides. (Petitioner and Respondent Two (2)
copies each side). Also, the teams shall bring along One (1) Hard copy of their typed Memorials for
both sides. (FOR YOUR OWN USE)
ii. The Memorials must fulfill all the following specifications;

Cover page / Cause title

Index
 7th R.C. CHOPRA MEMORIAL NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2019


Index of Authorities

Statement of Jurisdiction

Synopsis of Facts

Statement of Issues

Summary of Arguments / Pleadings

Body of Arguments / Pleadings

Conclusion / Prayer
iii. The memorials shall not be in more than forty (40) pages and the Arguments shall not
exceed more than twenty five (25) pages.
iv. The Memorials shall be typed on A4 size page in Font type: Times New Roman, Font size: 12, 1.5
line spacing & 1 inch margin on each side. Blue Book pattern shall be followed.
v. The Cover Page of the Memorials must follow the following color scheme, Blue for the
Applicant Cover Page and Red for the Respondent Cover Page. The Memorials must be
spiral bound ONLY. Each team would be provided with a MEMORIAL CODE at the time
of online registration which will be mentioned on the top right hand side of the cover page
of each memorial in BOLD LETTERS
vii. The memorials exchange will be for Quarter Finals, Semi-Finals & Finals.
viii. The Memorials must not contain any Annexures/ Photographs / Sketches/ Exhibits /
Affidavits etc.
ix. Memorials that do not comply with the above mentioned specifications will be penalized.
x. Identification of any type on the memorials shall invite disqualification.
xi. One soft copy of memorials of each side (in PDF format) and scanned copy of Travel Form
must reach the organizers latest by 31st day of January 2019.
xii. Two (2) hard copies of each of the memorials must reach the organizers by 15th February,
2019 at the below mentioned address. Do mention “7th R.C. Chopra Memorial Moot Court
Competition” at the top of the envelope separately.

Prof. (Dr.) S. C. Sharma [Director, St. Soldier Law College]

#56 – GF, Saraswati Vihar, Kapurthala Road
Jalandhar, Punjab-144008
09815158269,0181-2258269

9.1.MARKING CRITERIA FOR MEMORIALS

i. Memorial from each side shall carry total of hundred (100) marks.
 7th R.C. CHOPRA MEMORIAL NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2019

ii. The following shall be the criteria for marking the memorials:

Knowledge of Facts (10)

Knowledge of Law (10)

Proper and Articulate Analysis (10)

Evidence of Original Thought (10)

Grammar and Style (10)

Correct Format and Citation (10)

Extent and Use of Research (20)

Clarity and Organization (20)
iii. A penalty of Five (5) marks for each side of memorial shall be entailed on each day‟s
default in submissions of memorials, however, no memorial shall be accepted after 15th
February, 2019 it shall be subjected to disqualification.
iv. One soft copy of memorials of each side (in PDF format) and scanned copy of Travel Form, must
reach the organizers latest by 31st day January 2019 on [email protected].
v. Two (2) hard copies of each of the memorials shall reach the organizers by 1st February
2019, in order avoid the penalty of two (2) marks for each side each day after the midnight
of the 15th day of February, 2019
9.2.ORAL SUBMISSIONS
i. Each team shall comprise of two (2) speakers, as has been specified earlier.
ii. Court language shall be English.
iii. Each team will have a maximum of thirty (30) minutes to present their Oral Submissions in
Preliminary Rounds. No speaker will be permitted to address the Court for more than
seventeen (17 minutes). This includes the time the speaker addresses the Court during the
rebuttal/sur-rebuttal. The maximum time for rebuttal/sur-rebuttal is five (5) minutes.
iv. The maximum time allotted in quarter finals, semi-finals and final shall be forty five (45)
minutes for each team. No speaker shall be allowed to address the Court for more than
twenty five (25) minutes. This includes the time the speaker addresses the court during
rejoinder/sur-rejoinder.
v. At the commencement of each session of Oral Submissions, each team must notify the
Court Officer of the amount of time that the team reserves for their rejoinder/sur-rejoinder.
A maximum of 5 minutes can be reserved for their joinder/sur-rejoinder.
vi. At the commencement of each session of Oral Submissions, each team shall notify the
Court Officer as to the division of time between the 2 speakers.
 7th R.C. CHOPRA MEMORIAL NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2019

vii. If any speaker continues to speak after the completion of his/her time, he/she shall entail penalty,
which shall be upon the discretion of the judges.
viii. The final decision as to the time structure and the right to rejoinder/sur joinder will be that
of the Bench Judges.
ix. During the course of oral submissions the participants cannot submit to then court any
material containing pictorial representation whatsoever. Further the participants will not be
permitted to make any audio/visual representation nor will they be allowed to use personal
computers, laptops and any other technical or mechanical device during their oral
submissions.
x. Speakers shall not be allowed to pass annexures to the judges; instead the teams may make
a compendium of annexure that shall be given to the judges before the start of the
proceedings.
xi. If at any instance, a submission is made with any material in violation to the above clause
and if any picture, sketches, photos, cartoons, caricatures, audio film, video film, projector-
slide or a computer generated image is submitted or presented to the court, the teams shall
be disqualified from the competition forthwith.
xii. During the course of the Oral Submissions speaker shall neither reveal his/her identify nor
the identity of their University / College by any means whatsoever.
 7th R.C. CHOPRA MEMORIAL NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2019

St. Soldier Law College

Behind N.I.T. (R.E.C.), St. Soldier Educational Complex,
Jalandhar – Amritsar Bye Pass, G.T. Road Jalandhar – 144011

7th R.C. Chopra Memorial National Moot Court

Competition, 2019
REGISTRATION FORM

1. Name of 1st Speaker ______________________________________________ Photograph

Father’s Name ___________________________________________________

Date of Birth _____________________________ Gender_________________
Class _________________________________
Mobile No. _____________________ Email ___________________________

2. Name of 2nd Speaker ______________________________________________ Photograph

Father’s Name ___________________________________________________

Date of Birth _____________________________ Gender________________
Class _________________________________
Mobile No. _____________________ Email ___________________________

3. Name of Researcher _______________________________________________ Photograph

Father’s Name ___________________________________________________

Date of Birth _____________________________ Gender_________________
Class __________________________________
Mobile No. _____________________ Email ___________________________

Name & Address of University/Institution/College______________________________

_________________________________________________________________________
 7th R.C. CHOPRA MEMORIAL NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2019

_________________________________________ Pin Code ______________________

Email Address ___________________________________________________________

Whether you want to avail hostel facility? Yes/No____________________________

Signatures
1.
2.
3.

Details of Registration Fee:-

DD to be in favour of „St. Soldier Law College‟

Demand Draft for Rs. 3,500/- Payable at Jalandhar

Demand Draft No_____________________

Name of Bank _______________________

Branch ______________________________

Signature and Seal of the Head of the Institute

 7th R.C. CHOPRA MEMORIAL NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2019

Please mention the Name of the Institution on reverse of original DD and send the hard copy of
the form along with DD to the following address:-

Prof. (Dr.) S. C. Sharma [Director St. Soldier Law College]

#56 – GF, Saraswati Vihar, Kapurthala Road,
Jalandhar, Punjab-144008
09815158269, 01812258269, 0181-2690088

Do mention “7th R.C. Chopra Memorial Moot Court Competition” at the top of the envelope
separately.
➢
The registration for the competition closes on 31st December, 2019, A SOFT COPY of the
REGISTRATION form along with the SOFT COPY of the DEMAND DRAFT shall reach
the organizers on or before midnight of 31st December 2019.
➢
A HARD COPY of the REGISTRATION form along with the HARD COPY of the DEMAND
DRAFT shall reach the organizers on or before 15th January 2019.
 7th R.C. CHOPRA MEMORIAL NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2019

TRAVEL FORM
(FOR OUT- STATION PARTICIPANTS ONLY)

ARRIVAL DETAILS

Date___________________________________________________
Time___________________________________________________
Mode of Travel:
Train / Flight No:
Train / Flight Name:
Arrival Place:
DEPARTURE DETAILS
Date___________________________________________________
Time___________________________________________________
Mode of Travel:
Train / Flight No:
Train / Flight Name:
Contact Person (Name and Mobile Number) (one must be non-participant, preferably Teacher
Associated with the team):
1.………………………………………………………………………
2..……..……………………………………………………….………


A SOFT COPY of the TRAVEL form shall reach the organizers along with the soft
copy of the MEMORIALS i.e. on or before 31st January 2019.

A HARD COPY of the TRAVEL form shall reach the organizers along with the hard
copy of the MEMORIALS i.e. on or before 15th February 2019.
 Note: Jalandhar is well connected by Rail, Bus and Air Service.

The participants travelling by BUS, shall un-board the bus at PAP Chowk (every bus is
mandatory to take a stop at PAP Chowk), for pick up and drop facility.

The participants travelling by INDIAN RAILWAYS, may choose to arrive at any of the two
railway stations. The nearest railway station is Jalandhar City, however, pick up and drop
service will be provided by the organizers to/from Jalandhar City Railway Station (station
code JUC) as well as Jalandhar Cantt. Railway Station (station code JRC).
 The participants opting for AIR TRAVEL, the nearest Airport is Guru Ram Das
International Airport, Amritsar, 80 kms. from the college. From there the participants can
easily get a bus to Jalandhar. (Airport Code ATQ).
 7th R.C. CHOPRA MEMORIAL NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2019


The local teams will have to reach the venue on their own, not later than 8:30 am on 1st
March, 2019.
INTERPRETATION OF THE RULES
1. The decision of the organizers as regards the interpretation of rules or any other matter
related to the competition shall be final.
2. If there is any situation, which is not contemplated in the rules, the organizer‟s decision on
the same shall be final.
3. The organizers reserve the right to vary, alter, modify, or repeal any of the above rules, if so
required, as they may deem appropriate at any time; however, with proper announcement.
4. Any dispute arising in the MOOT COURT ROOMS during the rounds would be at the
discretion of the MOOT COORDINATORS.
5. In any kind of the conflict, the decision of the Director, St. Soldier Law College, Jalandhar
would be final but the matter must be reported immediately after the same arises.
 7th R.C. CHOPRA MEMORIAL NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION, 2019

IMPORTANT DATES

1. Registration Opens 11 December 1018

2. Registration (Registration form) (Soft Copy via. 31st December 2018

Email:- [email protected])
NB: Confirmation of Team Selection (Immediate
after e-mail received)
3. Registration (Registration form along with a DD of 15th January, 2019
Rs. 3500/- ) (Hard Copy)

4. Submission of Memorial (in PDF format) and Travel 31st January, 2019
Form (in PDF format) (Soft Copy via E-
Mail)
5. Submission of Memorial and Travel Form (Hard 15 February, 2019
Copy)
6. Inauguration, draw of lots, Preliminary Round, Pre- 1st March, 2019
Quarter Finals and Quarter Finals
7. Semi-Finals, Grand Finale and Valedictory Program 2nd March, 2019