The Moot Court Society of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), in collaboration with Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co (SAM), has officially announced the third iteration of the NLS SAM FinTech Moot Court Competition. This prestigious event is scheduled to take place on November 28 and 29, 2026, and is dedicated to fostering engagement with the rapidly evolving field of fintech law, which operates at the confluence of finance and advanced technology.
Thematic Focus on AI and ML in Financial Services
This year's moot problem is specifically designed to address the complex legal, constitutional, and regulatory challenges that emerge from the integration and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) systems within the financial services sector. The organisers have crafted a problem that delves into several critical real-world questions currently confronting policymakers, regulators, and courts.
Key issues highlighted in the moot problem include the constitutionality of implementing a blanket prohibition on AI-driven credit underwriting and Know Your Customer (KYC) verification processes. Furthermore, the problem explores the fundamental rights implications for informal-income applicants who may face systematic exclusion due to opaque algorithmic decision-making processes. Another significant area of focus is the application of copyright law, particularly concerning the training of machine learning models on proprietary datasets. Through these multifaceted issues, participants are expected to engage deeply with contemporary legal and ethical dilemmas at the intersection of emerging technology, financial inclusion, and intellectual property rights.
Eligibility Criteria for Participation
The competition is open to all students who are bona fide enrolled on a regular basis in an undergraduate or postgraduate law course, including LL.M. programmes, offered by any recognised institution. However, specific academic year requirements apply: only students in their second year or above of a B.A. LL.B. (or any integrated five-year law programme) and those enrolled in a three-year LL.B. programme are eligible to participate. To ensure broad institutional representation, a recognised institution is entitled to send only one team to the competition. In instances where a university comprises several constituent colleges, each individual college may register a team, or alternatively, the university itself may be represented by a single team composed of students from different constituent colleges.
Registration Details and Important Dates
Prospective participants must adhere to a strict registration timeline. The deadline for provisional registration is August 18, 2026, followed by the deadline for final registration on August 24, 2026. A non-refundable upfront registration fee of ₹2,500 is required from all participating teams. Teams that successfully qualify for the offline oral rounds will be required to pay an additional participation fee of ₹7,500. This supplementary fee is comprehensive, covering accommodation, food, and travel arrangements between the competition venue and the provided accommodation.
The organisers have outlined a detailed schedule of important dates for the competition. The moot proposition will be released to registered teams on August 22, 2026. The final registration deadline is August 24, 2026. Participants will have until August 29, 2026, to submit any clarifications regarding the moot problem, with the official clarifications being released on September 3, 2026. The deadline for the submission of memorials is September 25, 2026. Virtual qualifier rounds are scheduled for October 24 and 25, 2026, leading up to the advanced oral rounds, which will take place on November 28 and 29, 2026.
For comprehensive details regarding the competition rules and other pertinent information, participants are advised to refer to the official Brochure & Rulebook. Any queries or requests for further information may be directed to the Moot Court Society via email at mootcourtsociety@nls.ac.in.