Our editorial team got a chance to catch up with Mr. Subornadeep Bhattacharjee (Student NLU-Assam) . Mr. Subornadeep Bhattacharjee represented NLUA at the 4th International Banking and Investment Law (IBAIL) Moot Court Competition 2015. Mr. Subornodeep Bhattacharjee is awarded the Best Advocate and his team is winner at this moot court competition.
Here we are glad to present the interview on our website.
Hey Congratulations to you on your victory!
Law Mantra: Giving such a remarkable performance in this moot court competition is commendable. Here comes the conventional question- How does it feel?
Subornadeep Bhattacharjee: It was very difficult at first to believe that we had actually won. However, the warmth and love showered by the University fraternity gradually led me to believe that we actually had actually accomplished something great! It obviously feels great to have won this moot court competition as it’s finally sunk in now!
Law Mantra: What do you think any team would need to nail this moot?
Subornadeep Bhattacharjee: Not only for this moot, but to succeed in any moot- three things are essential: First, the depth of your research in the required areas of the moot problem; Second- a team composition which forms a cumulative package in terms of credible oralists as well as sound and in-depth research to bank on and third, but most importantly- the ‘luck’ factor which can never be ignored!
Law Mantra: The questions of law in a moot problem are the quality determining yardstick for any moot court competition. How would you judge yours? Kindly elaborate.
Subornadeep Bhattacharjee: Well, if you look at the subject of the moot, it is quite unique in nature, at least within South Asia. International Investment and Banking Law requires minute details of Bilateral Investment Treaties and DTAAs to be examined thoroughly. Core concepts on International Commercial arbitration, retrospective taxation laws as well as laws on expropriation- were a must for this moot court competition.
Law Mantra: Court etiquettes, the manner in which the judges and the issues are addressed and your pattern- all matters a lot. What in the speech of your team’s oralists you think was different to cling on the judge’s mind?
Subornadeep Bhattacharjee: First and foremost, a credible Oralist ought to keep two things in mind; First, being polite and persuasive with one’s arguments is the most important task. Second, the next crucial issue is to have a ‘dialogue’ with the Bench. If you can successfully engage the Bench in a dialogue where there is fruitful exchange of questions and arguments, I guess that makes the job easier. But more specifically, I guess our prompt answers to the judges’ queries did play its part to a great extent and gave us the edge throughout the competition.
Law Mantra: What quality do you think set you apart from the other teams?
Subornadeep Bhattacharjee: I think the core area which put us in a different league altogether was our thorough research on the subject areas and the issues that we raised. Such was the depth of the research that we were not at all apprehensive of which side we got for our various rounds. Certain arguments were so unique in our memorials that they were not to be found in any other opponent’s memorials, so I certainly believe that it had its part to play.
Law Mantra: On what area of law was the focus of the problem?
Subornadeep Bhattacharjee: The moot problem was quite intricate and complex as it dealt with a wide array of laws. It delved into core aspects of international commercial arbitration, retrospective taxation laws and principles of expropriation under international law essentially.
Law Mantra: How was the final round against the team from NUALS Kochi?
Subornadeep Bhattacharjee: ‘Electrifying’ is the word I would use to describe it! Retd. Justice G. S. Singhvi of the Supreme Court of India was one of the judges in the final rounds. To stand and argue in front of such a socially conscious and great judge was an experience in itself that I shall cherish for a long time! The team from NUALS Kochi was quite consistent when it came to arguments so much so that we had to constantly be on our toes to effectively rebut their arguments and point out the subtle inconsistencies in their submitted arguments. The team from NUALS, Kochi were great opponents who challenged us to raise our performance to optimum levels.
Law Mantra: How did you go about the entire process of preparation?
Subornadeep Bhattacharjee: Well, the entire process of preparation was very grueling, to be very honest. To go about cracking the moot problem took us almost a month, since the ambit was very wide as I’ve stated previously. Thereafter, we had to pass a series of benchmark tests presided over by faculty experts on taxation laws, arbitration laws and the corporate laws- the three main subject areas of our problem. Thus, the benchmark tests successively went on to point out the lacunae in our research which we tried to block with our efforts thereafter.
Law Mantra: How was it like working with the team? What do you think are your team’s fortes? What were the roadblocks?
Subornadeep Bhattacharjee: I think the professionalism exhibited by this team collectively was ‘par excellence’! It was a pleasure working with both Utkarsh and Khushboo. The team’s primary forte was that each member backed each other when our backs was against the wall. We worked with a dogged determination against all odds, since it was always tough managing academic commitments along with the demands of this moot court competition as well.
Law Mantra: How many teams were you up against in the competition? Which team would you consider to be your toughest competition?
Subornadeep Bhattacharjee: There were a total of 22 teams in the competition. I think, Symbiosis, Noida were probably the toughest of the competitors whom, we faced in the quarters. They had incisive arguments presented with quite some finesse. However, I guess the difference was in the rebuttals as we edged out by just a mere margin of 3 marks! So I guess, that’s a fair indication of how tough it was for us in the quarters.
Law Mantra: What message would you like to pass on to the mooters and the non-mooters?
Subornadeep Bhattacharjee: A word for the non-mooters just. If you still haven’t tried your hand at mooting while you’re at law school, you’re missing out on a core and attractive part of law school. While winning and losing is always a part, the learning aspect is the most important. The adrenaline rush that one gets while arguing in front of legal luminaries, Supreme Court Judges and High Court Judges is unparalled! It’s the closest feeling you’d get to if you wanted to emulate ‘Harvey Specter’ while arguing or ‘Mike Ross’ for legal research- the popular characters of the Legal drama “Suits’, before you actually start practicing law!
Law Mantra: Final comments on the level of competition and the organization of the competition.
Subornadeep Bhattacharjee: A great competition it was, I’d just like to thank the entire MCC of SSLG for having done a great job!
Law Mantra:Any other thing you would like to mention about the moot? Whom do you want to credit except your Hard Word and Team Support.
Subornadeep Bhattacharjee: I’d like to thank my Family, Our Respected Vice-Chancellor , Registrar, MCC, Faculty members as well as the entire student fraternity for their encouragement and support. The love and support we have got, we are extremely grateful to the entire legal fraternity of NLUA.