HPNLU Trial Advocacy Competition (Criminal) 2025 | HTAC 1.0 [July 2025 – April 2026 | Mode: Offline | Location: HPNLU Shimla | Prize Pool: ₹30,000+] Apply by July 25, 2025

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About the Organiser

Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), Shimla, through its Clinical Legal Education Centre, is organizing the 1st edition of the HPNLU Trial Advocacy Competition (HTAC 1.0). HPNLU is known for its rigorous legal curriculum and emphasis on hands-on legal skills. With a scenic campus and a strong academic team, HPNLU promotes legal research, courtroom advocacy, and experiential learning.

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About the Event

The HPNLU Trial Advocacy Competition (Criminal), 2025 is a unique intra-university initiative designed to simulate the criminal trial process. It aims to:

• Cultivate and enhance trial advocacy skills,
• Impart courtroom ethics and procedural knowledge, and
• Promote practical engagement with procedural laws such as the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).

The competition unfolds over several months and is structured to mimic realistic trial court proceedings from FIR filing to final arguments. This initiative bridges the gap between academic study and courtroom realities.

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Event Timeline

Stage	Date Range/Details
Application Opens	July 11, 2025
Last Date to Apply	July 25, 2025
Interaction (if needed)	August 18, 2025
Final Result Declaration	August 20, 2025
Orientation Session	August 30, 2025
Workshops & Proceedings	September 2025 – April 2026 (See below)

Key Rounds:

• FIR & Investigation Workshops: Sep–Oct 2025
• Cognizance & Framing of Charges: Oct–Nov 2025
• Prosecution Evidence Stage: Jan–Mar 2026
• Defence Evidence Stage: April 2026
• Final Arguments: April 2026
• Valedictory Ceremony: End of April 2026

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Format and Structure

• Stages: Pre-trial (FIR, Charge-sheet), Cognizance, Framing of Charges, Prosecution & Defence Evidence, Final Arguments.
• Evaluation: Scaled score sheets, courtroom simulations, elimination rounds at each stage.
• Role-playing: Each student plays roles of Investigation Officer, Public Prosecutor, Defence Counsel, etc.
• Language: English is the primary language; Hindi is permitted under specified rules.
• Offline Mode: All proceedings are offline, held at the HPNLU campus, unless otherwise permitted.

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Location and Mode

• Venue: HPNLU, 16 Mile, Shimla-Mandi National Highway, Ghandal, District Shimla, HP-171014
• Mode: Fully offline

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Additional Highlights

• Awards:
• Total Prize Pool: ₹30,000
• Distribution: Among final four based on scores (e.g. ₹8200, ₹7700, ₹7400, ₹6700)
• Winner’s Trophy + Certificates
• Workshops: Led by experts from the Bar, Bench, and Police
• Role Rotation: Participants switch between roles in prosecution and defence
• Miscellaneous Applications: Includes bail, anticipatory bail, writ petitions
• Strict Code of Conduct: With a designated Dispute Resolution Committee

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Eligibility

• Open exclusively to students of HPNLU Shimla enrolled in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th year of the 5-year integrated law program.
• Individual participation only. Team participation is not permitted.

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Registration Fee

• Free of Cost for eligible HPNLU students

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How to Apply

• Fill out the SOP-based application form shared by the Organising Committee.
• Last Date to Apply: July 25, 2025
• Final selection through SOP review, written test (40 marks), and interview (10 marks) if needed.

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FAQs

Q1: Is the event open to law colleges outside HPNLU?
A: No, HTAC 1.0 is exclusive to students of HPNLU Shimla.

Q2: Can I participate in teams?
A: No, only individual participation is allowed.

Q3: What laws are used in the competition?
A: The competition is based on BNSS, 2023 and BNS, 2023, along with constitutional provisions.

Q4: What is the prize structure?
A: ₹30,000 will be awarded among top 4 finalists as per scoring ratio.

Q5: Will I get mentoring during the competition?
A: Yes, through structured workshops and briefing sessions before each stage.

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Important Links

Resource	Link
[HTAC Brochure]	Click to Download Brochure
[Application Form]	Contact HTAC Office at htac@hpnlu.ac.in

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Contact

Organising Committee – HTAC 1.0
📧 Email: htac@hpnlu.ac.in
📍 Office: Clinical Legal Education Centre, HPNLU, Shimla
🌐 Website: https://hpnlu.ac.in

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