PANAJI: V M Salgaocar College of Law (VMSCL), in collaboration with the Justice G D Kamat Memorial Trust, inaugurated the 3rd National Level Moot Court Competition to honor the distinguished legacy of Justice Gurudas D Kamat, the first Goan Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court. This prestigious competition serves as a platform for aspiring legal professionals to engage in rigorous debate and advocacy on contemporary legal issues.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Justice Valmiki Menezes, Principal of VMSCL Dr Shaber Ali, Director Legal & Company Secretary of the VMS Corporation A E Baretto, Dr Ajay Vaidya representing the G D Kamat Memorial Trust, Faculty Incharge Dr.Sonal Sardessai, and Student Coordinator Savni Prabhudessai, along with other notable attendees.
Justice Valmiki Menezes, Dr Vaidya along with others unveiled the trophies and kicked off the competition. In his welcome speech, Principal Dr Shaber Ali expressed his enthusiasm to witness the next 2 days of the competition. He also commended Sr Adv Saresh Lotlikar for inspiring the idea of the Moot Court Competition.
Dr Sonal Sardessai gave a glimpse and a brief overview of the competition’s logistics in the days to come. A E Barretto said that legal education is more than just textbooks and statutes; it should focus on logical reasoning and critical thinking. He also noted that students are the future torchbearers of justice.
Speaking during the inaugural, Justice Valmiki Menezes, expressed that Moot Court competitions should incorporate the true, cutting edge critical thinking as experienced in the courts. He emphasized the need for college internships and students’ presence in the courts since fewer young minds enter the field of litigation. He also encouraged more female students to approach advocacy.
Dr Ajay Vaidya in his speech, recalled his fond memories of Justice G D Kamat and his unique approach to justice and equity. He inspired mooters to uphold those values. This Competition will be held over a period of 3 days from 21st to 23rd February 2025 on the VMSCL campus. It will delve into a contemporary legal issue surrounding the regulation of live-in relationships in India. 26 teams from all over the country will engage in intense competition, displaying their skills of articulation, research, persuasion, advocacy, and much more.
The final round will be held on the third day, followed by the Valedictory Ceremony at Z Square, Panaji. The winning team shall be awarded a cash prize of Rs 50,000, and the runners-up will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 25,000 along with trophies and certificates. Awards for the Best Mooter, Best Researcher, and Best Memorial shall also be designated with a cash prize of Rs 15,000, Rs 10,000, and Rs 15,000 each, respectively.