In conversation with Surya A. Nair from CSI College for Legal Studies, Kottayam on her law school and mooting experience.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Hello everyone! I’m Surya A. Nair, currently pursuing BCOM LLB (Hons.) from CSI College for Legal Studies in Kottayam, Kerala. I’m in my fifth year of the course, and throughout my journey, my parents, M.G. Sudhil and Sreeja Sudhil, have been my unwavering pillars of support. I firmly believe that with perseverance, hard work, and determination, a student from a non-NLU like myself can succeed in the advocacy field.
I’ve had the privilege of participating in numerous prestigious moot court competitions and earning several accolades. In December 2023, I was honored to win the title and first position at the Juris Fiesta National Moot Court Competition on Criminal Law by Al-Ameen Law College. Earlier in the year, I was awarded the Best Speaker at the 4th Jus Amicus National Moot Court Competition on Intellectual Property Rights by Saveetha School of Law and SSRANA & Co, where I also secured the first runner-up position.
My journey in moot courts has been diverse and rewarding. I was a speaker at the National Moot Court Competition on Constitutional Law organized by the National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi, and the All India Lawyers Union in September 2023. Additionally, I competed as a negotiator in the National Negotiation Competition by KLE Society Gurusiddappa Kotambri Law College, Hubballi, in July 2023.
Other significant milestones include reaching the quarter-finals as a speaker at the National Moot Court Competition on Intellectual Property Rights by Surana and Surana and Shaastra IIT Madras in April 2023, and receiving the 2nd prize in the Sambhaj National Essay Writing Competition in October 2022. My dedication to advocacy and public speaking was further recognized with a verbal commendation at the International Model United Nations in August 2021.
What inspired you to pursue a career in law?
During my school years, my aspiration was to become a journalist, using the power of words to highlight injustices and bring attention to critical issues. However, my path took a significant turn when my school’s principal, Mr. Reghunathan Pillai, introduced me to the CLAT and KLEE exams. His encouragement to pursue these exams marked a pivotal moment in my life, leading me to realize my true calling in the field of law. Looking back, I can proudly say that his guidance and my decision to study law have been the best choices I have made.
Tell us a bit about your law school experience.
Enrolling in a comprehensive five-year integrated program has been instrumental in fostering adaptability and realism in navigating a dynamic environment. I am fortunate to have received guidance from caring and supportive professors at my law school, who have laid the foundation for my personal growth.
Participating in moot court competitions and delivering seminars have been transformative experiences that have shaped my character and encouraged critical self-assessment. As a day scholar, I maintained a strong connection between home and college, ensuring I never felt detached from either.
Spending long hours on campus, from morning until evening, was always invigorating for me. Engaging in learning opportunities and socializing with peers—both juniors and seniors—contributed significantly to my development into a well-rounded individual.
The positive atmosphere at my college, fostered by warm relationships among friends and faculty, has been pivotal in creating a supportive environment. This environment has allowed me to identify and address my weaknesses while revitalizing my personal growth as a law student.
What initially drew you to mooting, and how has it impacted your law school experience?
I vividly recall the day when my teacher, Jaimol Ma’am, first mentioned the National Moot Court Competition by Saveetha School of Law and S.S. Rana & Co., marking both my inaugural moot and my maiden journey to Chennai.
Through perseverance and some stroke of fortune, I was honored with the title of Best Speaker, while our team secured the second position. Accepting these national accolades from the esteemed Hon’ble Justice Krishnan Ramasamy of the Madras High Court was a moment of immense pride.
Subsequently, I participated in several national moot court competitions including the Barrister M K Nambyar Chair on Constitutional and Administrative Law National Moot Court Competition, Surana and Surana and Shastra IIT Madras IPR Moot Court Competition, C.P. Sudhakara Prasad Memorial National Moot Court Competition, Juris Fiesta, and the National Moot Court Competition by Al-Ameen Law College.
Each moot brought together diverse law students, offering unique experiences, strategies, and insights from other teams, which significantly contributed to my growth and development in advocacy.
In the moot court competition at Al-Ameen Law College, I had the honor of winning the title, and I was privileged to receive awards from the esteemed Hon’ble Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan and Hon’ble Justice K. Babu of the Kerala High Court, which further validated my dedication to the field of law.
Drafting memorials significantly enhanced my writing and research skills. Throughout this journey, I have been fortunate to receive continuous encouragement and support from my college’s Principal, Dr. George Joseph, Vice-principal Dr. Jaisy, Bursar Koshy Abraham, and Moot Court Coordinator Jaimol Thomas. Their unwavering support has been instrumental in my achievements.
In recognition of my efforts, my college organized a ceremony where I was honored with awards by the esteemed Hon’ble Justice Jacob Benjamin Koshy, Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, as a gesture of appreciation and encouragement.
Can you walk us through your preparation process for a moot court competition? How do you approach research, drafting, and oral arguments?
Building a strong team is crucial for any collective effort. It begins with team members committing to a common goal and putting in rigorous effort. Our approach involves thorough analysis of statutes, provisions, precedents, and relevant legal issues, ensuring a unique strategy to argue our case effectively. I emphasize to my team the importance of approaching each issue as if we are real attorneys in court, considering the parties’ emotional and psychological impacts as outlined in the moot proposition.
In our strategy, we distribute responsibilities evenly among speakers and researchers. Speakers are encouraged to delve deep into the issues independently, enhancing our chances of success. By assuming dual roles, speakers elevate our preparation beyond reliance solely on research findings.
Mastery of statutory law, precedents, and updates is crucial. Attention to detail in memorial drafts is vital to avoid loopholes, while anticipating and addressing counterarguments strengthens our oral arguments.
Confidence in presenting our case persuasively is key. Despite potential judicial disagreements, maintaining professionalism and respecting the bench’s authority is paramount. Observing and learning from opponents’ strategies adds valuable insights for rebuttals. Throughout, we uphold the spirit of healthy competition, concluding matches with respect and constructive dialogue with our adversaries.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in mooting, and how did you overcome them?
One of the key challenges I faced during my moot experience was understanding the necessity of supporting every argument with case law citations. It taught me the importance of substantiating statements with legal precedents rather than relying solely on assertions or pleadings.
Additionally, I learned the critical skill of succinctly condensing my arguments into key points as the oral argument time limit approached. These lessons underscored the importance of precision and thorough preparation in presenting a compelling case in moot court competitions.
How do you balance mooting with other academic and extracurricular commitments?
Balancing extracurricular activities alongside my academics has been a consistent practice from my school days through to law school, always managing them seamlessly. It’s essential to regularly review exam notifications and avoid scheduling moot court competitions too close to exams.
After completing semester exams, strategically select and commit to reputable moot court competitions without taking on additional obligations. Effective time management is critical in this scenario; maintain a structured schedule to minimize stress and allocate dedicated time for personal pursuits. This approach ensures efficient task management and emphasizes working smarter, not harder.
What advice would you give to law students who are new to mooting or considering participating in moot court competitions?
Never wait for opportunities; actively seek them out and persistently knock on doors until one opens. Stay humble and grounded amidst praise, and let creativity drive your achievements.
When preparing for moot court, thoroughly analyze the moot proposition, assemble a dedicated team, and foster a harmonious working environment. Seek diverse perspectives from educators, judges, advocates, and peers to enrich your understanding. Choose laws that align with your interests to maximize success. Approach moot court as if you were a practicing attorney, focusing on the competitor’s perspective to refine your courtroom skills.
Broadening your knowledge of laws and case precedents will further your development as a proficient legal professional.
How has your overall experience in law school shaped you as an individual and as a future legal professional?
I sincerely believe that choosing a career in the legal field is a noble decision that shapes us into competent professionals. I consider myself fortunate to have made this rewarding career choice, which has significantly contributed to my professional growth through research, oral advocacy, and effective time management under pressure.
It has been fulfilling to inspire and mentor law students from various institutions, both government and private, in moot court competitions. Speaking in my hometown on professional development and career counseling was a highlight, showcasing how law school has equipped me to thrive in a dynamic professional environment.
I’ve learned the importance of balancing responsibilities and setting boundaries by learning when to seek help and when to say no. Being well-rounded involves exploring diverse interests, from legal literature and judgments to participating in competitions, fostering personal growth beyond academic pursuits.
I encourage everyone to pursue their dreams with determination and seize opportunities that come their way. Each obstacle presents a chance for growth and success, and I firmly believe in everyone’s capability to achieve their goals.
Source: Lawctopus
