SICTA was initiated to expand the umbrella of International Criminal Trial Advocacy in India in form of a competition on the lines of the Rome Statute and the procedures of the International Criminal Court at Hague, Netherlands. SICTA is the only of its kind in India apart from ICC’s annual India rounds conducted in New Delhi. SICTA was conceptualized with the aim of encouraging participation from premier institutions around the globe and exemplifying excellence in international trial advocacy. The competition is an endeavour of Symbiosis Law School, Pune with great significance in contemporary times and was conceptualized with the aim of infusing the seeds of dispute adjudication through the simulation along with a holistic experience of the International Criminal Court. The Competition, is an exploration of uncharted territory, but one with utmost significance in the contemporary times. The competition in its eight successful editions, has witnessed participation from many premier institutions from around the globe with exemplifying excellence in international trial advocacy and the greatest zeal of participants. The competition aims at engaging in legal debates on pressing international concerns and providing its participants a platform, through the agency of a trial based competition on the Rome statute and the governing rules framed there under to advocate their case and indulge in arguing their case before the International Court. Through competition such as SICTA the institute seeks to embrace its honourable onus of servitude towards the international legal society by charting an opportunity to the world student community to engage in exemplary legal advocacy. Symbiosis Law School, Pune- International Criminal Trial Advocacy Competition has achieved worldwide distinction in its previous editions that showcased talent from around the world. Few of the countries that have participated in Symbiosis Law School, Pune- International Criminal Trial Advocacy Competition are U.K, Poland, Kenya, Malaysia, South Africa, Kuwait, Nepal, China, and Bangladesh.
Symbiosis Law School, Pune – International Criminal Trial Advocacy Competition (SICTA) is a mooting competition which is based on International Criminal Trial Procedure. The Moot Compromis and witness testimonies are drafted taking into account all the three sides that are party to the problem. The Student Bar Associationbriefs the witnesses about the facts and witness testimonies prior to the competition in order to ensure that volunteers who acts as witnesses are well versed with all details related to the Moot Compromis.
The competition consists of three preliminary rounds during which each team has to represent all three sides involved in the problem i.e. the prosecution, the defence and the victim through the three rounds. Apart from presenting arguments for their case, the participant team is also required to examine and cross examine the witnesses adduced by the three sides. Each team is also given time to prepare its witnesses prior to the rounds. The judge evaluates the quality of the arguments advanced, adherence to the procedure as well as ability to examine witnesses. Symbiosis Law School, Pune International Criminal Trial Advocacy Competition is conducted by the Student Bar Association of Symbiosis Law School, Pune aided by its enthusiastic volunteers.