Former CJI Justice U.U. Lalit urged students at CHRIST University Pune Lavasa Campus to value litigation over corporate law for long-term growth. He said early effort brings rising rewards and concluded that “Beyond that, the sky is the limit.”
Former Chief Justice of India Justice U.U. Lalit advised students not to dismiss litigation, highlighting its significant potential even as many opt for corporate law and other new areas.
Speaking at the valedictory of the 6th National Themis Moot Court Competition at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Pune Lavasa Campus, he commented on how legal education and career paths are changing, and emphasized the long-term benefits of courtroom practice.
He remarked,
“In litigation, during the first 10 years, you may receive one unit of pay for 10 units of work. In the next 10 years, that shifts to 10 units of pay for 10 units of work. In the following decade, you see returns of 20 units of pay for the same effort. Beyond that, the sky is the limit.”
The School of Law at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Pune Lavasa Campus, hosted its flagship event, THEMIS 6th Moot Court Competition, 2026, from 27–29 March 2026.
The competition offered a total prize fund of Rs. 3,00,000 and presented individual honours for Best Speaker, Best Researcher, and Best Memorial.
According to a press release, the 2026 moot proposition addressed timely issues in constitutional law, federalism, and data governance, urging participants to grapple with rapidly evolving legal questions.
Thirty teams took part in the event, including over ten National Law Schools from across India, underscoring its prominence as a national-level moot court competition.
Preliminary and quarter-final rounds were judged by experienced faculty and practising advocates from around the country, maintaining rigorous evaluation standards.
The semi-finals were adjudicated by Md Zafar Imam, former Principal Judge and former Presiding Officer of the Debt Recovery Tribunal, and Pankaj Kapoor, Director of Quadraant Legal.
The final was heard by a panel consisting of Justice Ashim Kumar Roy, former High Court Judge and former Lokayukta; Prof. (Dr.) Jyotsna Yagnik, former Principal Judge and Pro Vice-Chancellor; and Prof. (Dr.) Subir Kumar Roy, Professor and former Officiating Registrar of a State University.
National Law University, Jodhpur won THEMIS 2026, with Institute of Law, Nirma University finishing as runner-up.