India is emerging as a vital hub for arbitration, observed retired Chhattisgarh High Court judge Justice RCS Samant on Friday at the inauguration of the second Justice Hidayatullah International Moot Court Competition (HIMCC), organised by the Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur (HNLU).
Justice Samant, who is presently serving as the Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Arbitration Tribunal, was the Chief Guest at the inaugural event.
He spoke on the rising prominence of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the global legal landscape, especially in commercial and investment domains.
“India is steadily establishing itself as a vital hub for arbitration, with growing institutional support and legal reforms. Moot courts equip aspiring lawyers to tackle real-world challenges with competence and confidence," he added.
The other dignitaries who graced the event included former Allahabad High Court judge, retired Justice Mayank K Jain who was the guest of honour; HNLU's Vice-Chancellor, Prof (Dr) VC Vivekanandan, and HNLU Registrar, Dr Deepak Srivastava.
Scheduled from March 21-23, the HIMCC brings together teams from India and abroad. The inaugural ceremony, held at the HNLU Auditorium, began with the ceremonial lighting of the diya by the dignitaries.
The competition was declared open by the Chief Guest, Justice RCS Samant marking the formal commencement of HIMCC 2025.
Dr Deepak Srivastava welcomed the dignitaries, participants, and the organizing committee, expressing gratitude for their support and dedication. This was followed by the felicitation of the dignitaries, recognizing their contributions to the field of law and justice.
In his opening address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) VC Vivekanandan remarked,
"International arbitration is, by its very nature, a collaborative and evolving discipline. Moot competitions like this one reinforce that arbitration is not practiced in isolation. It is shaped by diverse legal traditions, varied perspectives, and mutual respect. The advocacy you will present over the coming days is a rehearsal for the roles many of you will soon hold—as counsel, arbitrators, scholars, or policy makers.”
Guest of honour, Justice Mayank K Jain, highlighted the role of moot courts in bridging the gap between legal education and practical application.
“These competitions hone research, advocacy, and teamwork skills. Whether in victory or defeat, every experience is a lesson,” he said.
As a gesture of appreciation, mementoes were presented to the dignitaries.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by the organizing secretary of HIMCC, 2025, Dr Anindhya Tiwari, who acknowledged the efforts of the guests, faculty, the organizing team, and participants in making the event a resounding success.
HIMCC continues to serve as an engaging platform for law students to refine their legal acumen, develop persuasive advocacy skills, and engage in critical dialogue on contemporary legal issues.
<Sponsored by the brand>