MEDIATION BOMBAY 4.0 Rulebook
MEDIATION BOMBAY 4.0 Rulebook
COMPETITION RULEBOOK
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property rights in this collective work. No part of this work may be reproduced, distributed,
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without the permission of Mediation Bombay, MNLU Mumbai.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. DEFINITIONS .................................................................................................................. 5
X. AWARDS ...................................................................................................................... 16
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FOREWORD – MEDIATION BOMBAY 2023 RULE BOOK
In the Okinawan language, there is a unique word “Yuimaru” which means ‘the circle of the
people’ or the ‘spirit of cooperation’. It represents the warm-hearted cooperative effort to take
care of one’s counterparts to ensure that all members of the community feel connected and
valued. After the unprecedented COVID19 pandemic which made us all realise the value of
human connections and how even the most mundane facilities like groceries and healthcare can
be inaccessible, the Mediation Bombay International Dispute Resolution Competition 2023
hopes to reflect the spirit of yuimaru in its larger theme of Connectivity and Accessibility. We
hope that this competition will further the spirit of mediation because by using soft words and
hard arguments, we can accomplish the most unimaginable goals. As mediators and
negotiators, you hold the power to transform conflicts into opportunities for growth and
resolution, nurturing the potential for a brighter future. At Mediation Bombay, we wish to help
you to unleash this power and collectively create a global impact.
After 4 long years, we welcome you all to the City of Dreams and ironically, the city that never
sleeps. As we at the Mediation Bombay love to say, “Mumbai is a city but Bombay is an
emotion”. Whether it is in terms of its meticulous local train network or the numerous career
opportunities found here, Bombay strives to connect people from all over India who come here
to make their dreams a reality and welcomes them with open arms. In the same way, Mediation
Bombay wishes to promote the Bombay experience of resilience and collaboration.
Beyond this competition, we hope this event serves as a platform for personal growth and
mutual learning. Let the theme of Connectivity and Accessibility inspire you to unlock your
true potential and embrace the virtuous qualities of fairness, integrity and compassion!
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I. DEFINITIONS
The terms and phrases used in this rule book shall have the meaning as defined hereunder,
unless specified otherwise in a particular Rule:
1. “Caucus” is an individual session in which only one Negotiating Pair converses with the
Mediator in the absence of the opposing Negotiating Pair.
2. “Competition Problem” refers to a problem framed by the Problem Drafting Committee,
to be used in the Competition Sessions.
3. “Competition” refers to the 2023 edition of Mediation Bombay – International Dispute
Resolution Competition.
4. “Confidential Information” [CI] refers to the key points of information provided to
Negotiating Teams regarding the party they represent [Requesting or Responding Party].
5. “Confidential Information Session” [CI Session] refers to the time period in which
Negotiating Teams are provided access to Confidential Information. During this time the
Mediators can prepare their strategy for the round.
6. “Expert Assessor/s” refers to persons(s) nominated and/or selected by the Organizing
Committee, who evaluates and scores the performance of the Negotiating Team and the
Mediator(s), during a mediation session in accordance with the Competition Rules. All
assessors shall provide to the Organizing Committee a Statement of Trust declaring their
neutrality, impartiality and independence to assess the teams of the Competition; and
disclosing any conflict of interests with the participants, or the university, if it may cause
a hindrance to the assessment of the round.
7. “Feedback Session” refers to the critique provided by Expert Assessors to the
Competition Session Participants, in relation to each of their performances in the Main
Session.
8. “General Information” refers to factual information related to a Competition Session,
which shall be accessible to all Participating Teams.
9. “Host Institution” refers to Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai.
10. “Institution/s” refers to all Colleges and Universities across the world.
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11. “Main Session” refers to the stage of Competition Session immediately following the
Confidential Information Session, where the Teams are tasked to mediate on the
Competition Problem.
12. “Mediation Round” includes the CI Session, the Main Session, the Reflection Session,
the Feedback Session, and the Scoring Session.
13. “Mediation Problem” shall consist of General Information for all Parties, and Confidential
Information for each Negotiating Pair.
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II. GENERAL
b) Mediator:
• Participation is open to law students who are currently pursuing a degree of law from
any recognized law college/university across the world.
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• A participant who has graduated from the aforesaid course not less than 6 months ago,
as on date of the Competition, is an eligible participant for the purposes of these Rules.
• A certified mediator/ person who has mediated settlements professionally is not an
eligible participant for the purposes of these Rules.
A person who has previously been a participant in one segment, in a previous edition of the
Competition is not an eligible participant, for that same segment, for the purposes of these Rules.
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[C] REGISTRATION FEE
1. Only Selected Teams are required to pay the Registration Fees.
2. The Registration Fees for the Team is Rs. 24,000/- for Indian Teams and 300 USD for
International Teams.
3. The Registration Fees includes the following:
• Admission to all the events of the Competition, including all training, the opening
ceremony and the valedictory ceremony.
• Admission to Networking Sessions organized during the Competition.
• Accommodation and Food for the dates of the Competition for the Participating
Team only (Refer to Rule IX).
4. The payment of fees to be done according to the provisions of final registration form.
5. Proof of the payment must be attached to the final registration form.
6. Any and all Bank Charges/Transfer Charges must be paid by the participating team.
7. Failure to make timely payments, or full payments will result in forfeiture of the
University’s Spot in the Competition.
8. The Registration Fees is non-refundable.
V. MEDIATION ROUNDS
[A] GENERAL
1. A Mediation Round, for the purpose of this Competition, will involve two Negotiating Pairs
and a Mediator. The Negotiating Pairs will discuss the Mediation Problem and their
discussion will be facilitated by the Mediator.
2. The Negotiating Pair of the University is distinct from the Mediator of the same University.
They are completely independent.
3. As such, a Mediator of ‘X’ Institution, cannot mediate a round involving the Negotiating
Pair from ‘X’ Institution.
4. The qualification of Mediator from ‘X’ Institution to the advanced rounds is neither
dependent on nor impacted by the qualification of the Negotiating pair from ‘X’ Institution,
or vice versa.
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5. A Mediation Round includes the CI Session, the Main Session, the Reflection Session, the
Feedback Session, and the Scoring Session.
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• A Penalty may be levied on parties in case they deviate from facts, make up new
facts, or unreasonably infer facts. This Penalty is dependent on the discretion of
the Expert Assessors.
[C] CAUCUS
1. A Mediation round may be aided by a Caucus or Private Session.
2. A Caucus may be called by either party to the Mediation, or by the Mediator.
3. Calling a Caucus is not compulsory in this Competition.
4. A Caucus may be held for a maximum of 4 minutes per team in the Preliminary Rounds,
and a maximum of 7 minutes per team in the Elimination Rounds. This time is included
in the maximum time allowed for a Main Session.
5. A Caucus cannot be called in the last 7 minutes of the Main Session in Preliminary
Rounds and last 13 minutes of the Main Session in Elimination Rounds.
6. The Mediator is responsible for ensuring the time limits of the Caucus are not violated.
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• 5 Minutes: Scoring Session.
• 10 Minutes: Feedback Session.
5. The Time allotted to the Mediation Rounds may be subject to change at the discretion
of the Organizing Committee and will be notified to participants if required in a timely
manner.
6. Time will be kept by the Room Coordinator and no electronic devices will be permitted
for the purpose of time keeping.
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VII. NEGOTIATING TEAM COMPETITION
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• Side allocation to be done via draw of lots (unless provided otherwise).
• Winners to be decided by a majority of the panel of Expert assessors on
Knockout basis.
4. The Semi Final Rounds:
• 6 winners of the Quarter Finals to qualify.
• Matchups and side allocations to be done via draw of lots (unless otherwise
provided).
• Winners to be decided by a majority of the panel of Expert assessors on
Knockout basis.
5. The Tri-Party Grand Finale
• 3 Winners of Semi Finals to Qualify.
• Side allocation to be done via draw of lots (unless provided otherwise).
• Winners to be decided by a majority of the panel of assessors.
• An external professional mediator will act as the Mediator for the final round
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[C] RANKING & PROGRESSION
1. After Conclusion of the 2 Preliminary Rounds, the 6 Mediators with the highest
absolute scores shall progress to the Mediator Semi-Final (Quarter Final Round of the
Competition).
2. In case of any tie in the absolute scores, the marks scores in the category of
‘Management of Mediation Process’ shall be the tie-breaker. Further tiebreakers are to
be notified at the discretion of the Organizing Committee.
3. The Mediator Semi Final Rounds (Quarter Finals Round of the Competition)
• 6 teams to qualify.
• A Professional Mediator would act as the Mediator for the final round of the
Competition.
• Mediator does not compete in this round.
IX. ACCOMMODATION
1. All the registered team shall be provided accommodation off campus for the dates of
the competition.
2. The registration fees are inclusive of the Accommodation and Food for the days of the
competition for the Participating Teams ONLY.
3. Accommodation and Food for Coaches will be charged separately, provided that
participation of the coach is intimated well in time (Details to be notified at a later date).
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4. Further details will be informed to the registered teams on a date notified by the
Organising Committee.
X. AWARDS
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XI. DISQUALIFICATION & PENALTIES.
[A] DISQUALIFICATIONS
1. Subject to the discretion of the Organizing Committee, a Team may be disqualified:
• In case of substantial non-compliance with the rules or Equity Policy.
• If they disclose the Confidential Information of a Mediation Round, in any manner
whatsoever, which is not allowed by the Rules.
• If they disclose or insinuates to an Expert Assessor the name of the University the
team is from.
2. Any decision to disqualify a Team will be formally communicated to the University of
the concerned team by the Organization Committee.
3. For the Purpose of this Rule, Team means either a Negotiating Pair or a Mediator.
• Therefore, the disqualification of a Mediator of University X would not mean the
disqualification of the Negotiating Pair of University X.
[B] PENALTIES
1. Subject to the discretion of the Organization Committee, the Assessors may impose a
maximum Penalty of 10 marks per Mediation Round, if the Participating Team:
• Imports facts or makes up facts that are not provided in the General Information or
Confidential Information, such that it causes prejudice to the other competing
teams.
• Does not adhere to the time limits set out in Rule VI (A) or otherwise intimated by
the Competition Organizers.
• Does not adhere to the Dress Code set out in Rule XIV (2).
• Does not adhere to the Official Language as per Rule XIV (6).
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XII. GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL
1. The Organising Committee holds Residuary Powers on any and all matters regarding
the competition.
2. The Organizing Committee’s decision on any matter in the lead up to the Competition
and during the Competition is final and conclusive.
3. The Organizing Committee may take any other reasonable measure that may be
required for the efficient conduct of the Competition.
4. The Organizing Committee’s interpretation as to the implementation or applicability of
the Rules is final and conclusive.
XIV. MISCELLANEOUS
1. Coaches:
• Coaches are permitted to accompany teams.
• Teams must inform the Organizing Committee in case they wish to bring a Coach
at the time of final registration.
• The Registration fee does not include Accommodation & Food for Coaches. It will
be charged separately (Refer to Rule IX).
• Coaches can spectate but cannot assist the teams during the Mediation Round.
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• Anyone may be a Coach, except a person who is also an assessor in the Competition.
• Coaches may not disclose Confidential Information to third parties.
2. Conflict of Interest
• No Expert Assessor can judge a round of a team that he/she already knows or has
judged.
• In case a conflict of interest arises, the team must immediately inform it to the
Organising Committee.
3. Dress Code:
• Members of the Participating Teams shall be dressed in formal attire for the duration
of the Competition. Both Western and Indian Formals are permitted.
• This includes the opening and valedictory ceremony.
4. Equity Policy: [To be notified at a later date]
• The Competition shall have an Equity Policy. The participating teams are expected
to comply with the Equity Policy.
• The Equity policy operates as a separate document from these Rules.
• An Equity Policy briefing will be provided to the teams on the 1st Day of the
Competition.
5. Notice:
• Notice given to the Participating Teams’ contact person, or any other individual
member shall be deemed to be notice to the entire team.
• Notice shall deemed to have been given to the Organizing Committee when a mail
is sent at [email protected], during the duration of the
Competition.
6. Official Language:
• The Language of the Competition is English.
• Use of unparliamentary language/ discriminatory language is prohibited.
• Official communication in any other language during a Mediation Round will
reflect negatively on the participants.
7. Photography and Videography:
• Participants agree to being photographed and their rounds video-taped during the
Competition.
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• These photos shall remain the property of MNLU Mumbai.
• Participants and Coaches MAY NOT take any photos, videos, or voice recordings
of any part of the Mediation Round.
8. Score Sheets:
• Participants will get access to the score sheets of their team after the conclusion of
the competition.
9. Technology and Additional Materials:
• Use of Social Media applications like WhatsApp etc. are NOT permitted in any of
the rounds.
• The teams MAY NOT carry any electronic devices in the Mediation Room.
10. Withdrawals & Blacklisting:
• A University which has committed to participate may be blacklisted from
participation in future events, if it withdraws from the Competition after such
commitment, thereby prejudicing all other participating teams.
• A decision to do so is dependent on the discretion of the Organizing Committee, but
must be taken after giving an opportunity to the withdrawing University to provide
a justification for their withdrawal.
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