About the 16th Government Law College International Law Summit, 2026
The 16th Government Law College International Law Summit, 2026, or simply, the "Summit", organised by the Students for the Promotion of International Lw (SPIL), Mumbai, represents the flagship international law event of the Government Law College, Mumbai.
Conceived as a forum of learning, dialogue, and simulation, the Summit brings together students, scholars, and practitioners from around the world to engage with the most pressing issues in international law. Given the rich legacy, scale and novelty of the Summit, it is truly one of it's kind in South Asia.
The 2026 edition carries forward SPIL Mumbai's legacy of academic innovation through two of its most anticipated international competitions:
-
The International Judgment Deliberation Competition (JDC) 2026 — simulating appellate deliberations before the World Trade Organization's Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA); and
-
The International Treaty Appreciation Competition (TAC) 2026 — focusing on the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG).
Together, these events explore the intricate relationship between law, policy, and commerce, while testing participants on interpretive precision, negotiation acumen, and legal reasoning.
The Summit will also feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, guest lectures, and networking sessions, offering participants a rare opportunity to learn from international trade law specialists and commercial law academics.
The Government Law College International Judgment Deliberation Competition (JDC) 2026
About
The International Judgment Deliberation Competition, 2026 ("JDC 2026") is a unique simulation that places student teams in the role of judicial decision makers. This competition offers a unique platform for students to engage in the intricate process of judicial reasoning and judgment formulation.
In the JDC, participants are presented with the Competition Module, which is a comprehensive case file containing the procedural history, facts, and arguments of the dispute at hand. The participants act as Judges or Arbitrators of an international fora, and are expected to reach a well-reasoned judgment or award.
The JDC 2026 is the most unique edition of the JDC that we have had so far. Set before the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement of the WTO, participants play the role of Arbitrators under the MPIA and are expected to reach a reasoned award.
2026 Problem
The 2026 case presents a dispute between two WTO Members regarding a carbon-adjusted border measure impacting exports, raising critical questions on the balance between environmental sustainability and trade obligations.
The JDC 2026 Competition Module and the Rulebook has now been released! Click below to download now!
Format:
-
Written Award Qualifier - the registered Teams shall submit a Written Award by 30th November 2025, 11:59 PM IST. A rank-list will be prepared on the basis of the points scored by the Teams in their Written Award.
-
Oral Deliberations - Top 12 Qualifying Teams shall be invited to the offline Deliberation Rounds at the Government Law College, Mumbai, which are scheduled to happen on 6th and 7th March 2026.
Team Composition:
2 Participants per team, comprising of a Participant Judge and a Judicial Clerk.
Schedule and Competition Brochure
Click below to download the Official JDC 2026 Schedule and the Competition Brochure!
Registrations & Fee
Registrations Fee for Indian Students:
-
Early Bird Registrations ending on 15th November 2025, 11:59 PM IST: INR 4999/-
-
Regular Registrations ending on 30th November 2025, 11:59 PM IST: INR 6999/-
Registration Fee for Foreign Students:
-
Early Bird Registrations ending on 15th November 2025, 11:59 PM IST: USD 60/-
-
Regular Registrations ending on 30th November 2025, 11:59 PM IST: USD 80/-
Registration & Written Award Submission
365d
24h
60m
60s
Segments of the Summit
The 16th Government Law College International Law Summit, 2026 scheduled on 6th and 7th March 2026 promises an immersive two-day experience that blends academic rigour, policy dialogue, and practical skill-building. Conceived as a confluence of ideas and institutions, the Summit will unfold through the following key segments;
1. Keynote Address: A distinguished speaker will inaugurate the Summit with an address setting the tone for discussions on trade, sustainability, and global cooperation.
2. Panel Discussions: Engaging conversations among leading academics, policymakers, practitioners, and industry experts exploring the future of International Trade Law.
3. Workshops and Special Lectures: Interactive sessions and a curated series of lectures by eminent jurists and scholars offering insights into emerging intersections of international law, trade, economics, and diplomacy.
Itinerary and Announcements
The detailed itinerary, including the Summit Schedule, Timelines, and Session Flow, along with the list of panellists, keynote speakers, and workshop leads, will be released in January 2026 on this webpage and SPIL Mumbai's official social media handles.
Stay tuned for updates as we unveil the voices and discussions shaping the 16th Government Law College International Law Summit — where law meets the world, and ideas meet change.
Theme 2026: International Trade Law
"Trade and Transformation: The New Grammar of Global Commerce"
The international trading system stands at an inflection point. In an era defined by climate imperatives, supply chain realignments, and technological disruption, the architecture of global trade — once grounded in predictability and non-discrimination is undergoing profound transformation.
International Trade Law, the foundational discipline governing this architecture, no longer exists merely as a system of tariff concessions and dispute settlements. It has evolved into a field that mediates between economics and ethics, sovereignty and interdependence, national policy and global obligation.
Against this backdrop, SPIL Mumbai's 16th Government Law College International Law Summit 2026 adopts International Trade Law as its central theme, reflecting our commitment to engage with the most pressing challenges and opportunities shaping the world economy.
Why International Trade Law — Why Now?
The multilateral trading order faces unprecedented strain. With the World Trade Organization's dispute settlement mechanism operating under a reformed appellate process, and regional trade agreements proliferating beyond traditional boundaries, the question is no longer whether the rules of trade are changing, but how they should evolve.
Trade is now interwoven with issues of climate action, digital economy, national security, and sustainable development. Countries are redefining what constitutes "fair competition" and "legitimate regulation," blurring the lines between trade liberalisation and strategic autonomy.
In this rapidly shifting terrain, International Trade Law serves as the language of global negotiation — the means through which nations express their priorities, defend their interests, and shape collective futures.
What the Theme Explores
Under this theme, Summit 2026 seeks to explore the multidimensional evolution of International Trade Law through two complementary lenses — dispute resolution and treaty interpretation.
-
The International Judgment Deliberation Competition (JDC) 2026 will simulate appellate deliberations under the WTO's Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA), inviting participants to interpret, reason, and decide upon disputes arising from trade measures and environmental regulation.
-
The International Treaty Appreciation Competition (TAC) 2026 will delve into the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), challenging participants to navigate the complexities of cross-border commercial harmonisation and interpretive uniformity.
Together, these events provide a holistic exploration of trade law; from the macro-level tensions of multilateralism to the micro-structures of international contracting.
The Broader Vision
Beyond the competitions, the Summit will serve as a platform for dialogue — connecting academic thought with professional practice. Through expert lectures, panel discussions, and other initiatives, it aims to foster a nuanced understanding of how law shapes trade, and trade, in turn, shapes law.
Title Sponsor
The 16th Government Law College International Law Summit, 2026 proudly partners with Rungta Steel as its Title Sponsor — a name that defines strength, trust, and progress in India’s industrial landscape.
A flagship brand of the Rungta Group, Rungta Steel has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing and most trusted steel manufacturers, renowned for its uncompromising quality, advanced manufacturing excellence, and customer-centric vision. With a state-of-the-art integrated steel plant and a strong distribution network spanning the nation, Rungta Steel has become a symbol of resilience, reliability, and responsible growth.
Rooted in the philosophy of “Naye India Ka Steel,” Rungta Steel stands for more than infrastructure — it represents the spirit of creation, innovation, and enduring strength. Its commitment to sustainable manufacturing, technological advancement, and ethical business aligns seamlessly with the Summit’s ideals of stability, structure, and integrity.
Through this partnership, Rungta Steel and SPIL Mumbai celebrate a shared vision — of building stronger foundations for the future, both in industry and in law. Together, we aspire to shape conversations that connect enterprise with ethics, and progress with purpose.
The Government Law College International Treaty Appreciation Competition (TAC) 2026
About
The International Treaty Appreciation Competition, 2026 ("TAC 2026") simulates a formal multilateral forum where participating teams act as State delegations tasked with assessing and shaping the future of a major treaty. Each team will be assigned a Country to represent and must prepare a written appreciation that situates its proposals within doctrinal, comparative and policy frameworks. The Competition emphasises fidelity to treaty architecture and the practical constraints of international lawmaking.
In the oral rounds teams engage in structured negotiation and drafting exercises before a panel of adjudicators. Participants must defend their State’s priorities, propose coherent textual amendments or protocols, and negotiate compromise language that reconciles competing legal and policy interests. The format rewards rigorous analysis, persuasive advocacy, and precision in drafting.
TAC is designed to develop skills essential to treaty practice: treaty interpretation, normative reasoning, and the technical craft of drafting instruments or interpretative guidance that can be implemented across jurisdictions. Beyond the competitive element, the Competition provides a forum for scholarly exchange and professional mentorship, offering participants exposure to expert feedback and opportunities for publication or further academic collaboration.
2026 Problem
Forty-plus years after its adoption, the CISG faces questions the drafters could not have foreseen: smart contracts, blockchain evidence, electronic negotiations and divergent national practices. The TAC 2026 Module dramatises that debate through an extraordinary UNCITRAL session convened to consider CISG’s future. Participants represent Contracting States and must defend, critique, or propose reform, balancing technical legal drafting with pragmatic policy solutions.
The TAC 2026 Competition Module and the Rulebook has now been released! Click below to download now!
Format:
-
Written Critique Qualifier - the registered Teams shall submit a Written Critique by 30th November 2025, 11:59 PM IST. A rank-list will be prepared on the basis of the points scored by the Teams in their Written Award.
-
Oral Deliberations - Top 12 Qualifying Teams shall be invited to the offline Deliberation Rounds at the Government Law College, Mumbai, which are scheduled to happen on 7th March 2026.
Team Composition:
2 Participants per team.
Schedule & Brochure
Click below to download the Official TAC 2026 Schedule and the Competition Brochure!
Registrations & Fee
Registrations Fee for Indian Students:
-
Early Bird Registrations ending on 15th November 2025, 11:59 PM IST: INR 4999/-
-
Regular Registrations ending on 30th November 2025, 11:59 PM IST: INR 6999/-
Registration Fee for Foreign Students:
-
Early Bird Registrations ending on 15th November 2025, 11:59 PM IST: USD 60/-
-
Regular Registrations ending on 30th November 2025, 11:59 PM IST: USD 80/-