Questions and answers
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The championship
What is ArbCI?
Arbitration Championship India is a national arbitration competition for law students, organised by The PACT. 2026–27 is its first edition. It runs from October 2026 to February 2027, with written rounds online and three days in person in New Delhi on 26, 27 and 28 February 2027.
How is ArbCI different from an arbitration moot?
The rounds work much as they do in a moot, with a proposition, memoranda and oral submissions. ArbCI adds a full day of practitioner-led training before the oral rounds and two rounds in new formats, and the winners will be offered internship opportunities with leading law firms in India, as may other high-ranking teams where places allow.
Where in New Delhi will it take place?
The venue will be announced. All three days, 26, 27 and 28 February 2027, are in New Delhi.
What language is the competition conducted in?
English.
Eligibility and teams
Who can take part?
Students currently enrolled in a three-year or five-year LLB, or in an LLM, at an institution in India. There is no year-of-study limit. Graduates who are no longer enrolled are not eligible, and students at institutions outside India are not eligible for this edition.
How do I qualify?
Through one of three routes: an advanced-stage finish at a national arbitration moot, participation in an international arbitration moot, or the Arbitration CV route. A majority of each team must meet at least one route, and each member is assessed individually.
How large can a team be?
A team has a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 members. Full teams only, and every member attends all three days in New Delhi.
Can team members come from different institutions?
Yes. Cross-institutional teams are allowed.
Is there a limit on the number of teams?
No. There is no cap on the number of teams, including teams from the same institution.
Can I be part of more than one team?
No. Each participant can be a member of only one team.
Can we change team members after registering?
Changes may be made after registration only after contacting the organising committee at arbci@thepact.in.
Does every team member have to speak?
No. A three-member team has two speakers and one researcher. Teams of four to six may arrange speaking roles as they choose, with no upper limit on the number of speakers. In every team, one member who does not speak in any other round takes on a special role in Round 3, which will be revealed with that round.
Invitations and registration
Is ArbCI by invitation only?
ArbCI sends personal invitations to eligible participants and teams. If you have not received one, you can submit an Expression of Interest. The organising committee reviews it and may then extend an invitation.
When do registrations close?
Registrations opened in October 2026 and close around the middle of December 2026. Exact dates will be confirmed to registered teams.
How much does it cost?
The registration fee is ₹10,000 per person. It covers participation, the training programme on 26 February 2027 with its separate certificate, food on all competition days and the other event components that form part of ArbCI.
Is the registration fee refundable?
No. The registration fee is non-refundable.
How do we pay?
Online, by UPI, within the registration form sent to invited teams.
Format and recognition
What are the new formats in Rounds 1 and 3?
They will be revealed closer to the time, to every team at once.
How do teams reach the Final?
Every team competes in all four rounds. There are no quarter-finals or semi-finals: the teams with the highest cumulative scores across Rounds 1 to 4 argue the Final on 28 February 2027.
How are the rounds scored, and what are the memoranda requirements?
The scoring breakdown, memoranda requirements and the details of each round will be published with the rules.
Who judges the rounds?
Practising arbitration professionals, leading academics and law firm practitioners. The Final is judged by a tribunal of leading names in Indian arbitration.
What do participants receive?
Every participant receives a printed certificate of participation, and a separate printed certificate for the training programme. The confirmed awards are Winners, Runners-up, Best Speaker, Best Claimant Memorial and Best Respondent Memorial, and more will be announced.
Are internships guaranteed?
Internship opportunities with leading law firms in India will be offered to the winners. Other high-ranking teams may also be offered opportunities, subject to availability. The number and nature of places depend on what is available and will be announced as they are confirmed.