Orientation Session on Trial Advocacy
Date: 25 February 2026
The School of Law, Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be University) conducted an Orientation Session on Trial Advocacy on 25.02.2026 for the students of the 2nd and 4th semester BA LL.B, BBA LL.B, and B.Com LL.B programmes. The session was organised with the objective of familiarising students with the fundamentals of courtroom advocacy and introducing them to the practical dimensions of trial practice.

The session was delivered by Ujwala P., Assistant Professor, School of Law, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, who brought with her rich academic and experiential insights in the field of trial advocacy. She briefed the students on the basic principles and rules governing courtroom advocacy, emphasising its relevance in shaping competent and ethical legal professionals.

During the session, Prof. Ujwala highlighted the importance of trial advocacy in building confidence among law students and in developing essential skills such as effective listening, structured drafting, logical reasoning, and persuasive communication skills that are vital for any aspiring lawyer. She also explained the technicalities of trial advocacy competitions, including their structure, format, and conduct, providing students with a clear understanding of practical advocacy platforms.

The orientation proved to be highly informative and engaging, equipping students with foundational knowledge, and motivating them to actively participate in advocacy-based learning and competitions in the future.

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Orientation Session on Negotiation
Date: 28 January 2026
The session on Negotiation was conducted by Prof. Jennifer Stevenson, Willamette University, Salem, Oregon who introduced negotiation as a structured and strategic process aimed at reaching mutually acceptable outcomes rather than a mere exercise of power or persuasion. Ma’am explained that negotiation is a part of everyday decision-making and becomes particularly significant in legal, professional, and interpersonal contexts. Emphasis was placed on understanding the difference between positional bargaining and interest-based negotiation. Positional bargaining, where parties rigidly adhere to fixed demands, was highlighted as inefficient and relationship-damaging. Professor Jennifer cautioned against extreme positions, noting that they often lead to deadlocks and make compromise difficult. The session also discussed soft and hard negotiation styles, pointing out that while soft negotiation may risk excessive compromise and hard negotiation may strain relationships, neither approach is universally effective and must be chosen carefully depending on the situation.

She further focused on principled negotiation as a more balanced and effective alternative. This approach was explained through its core elements: separating people from the problem, focusing on interests rather than positions, generating multiple options, and relying on objective criteria. The concept of BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement) was also discussed as a crucial tool to assess bargaining power and avoid unfavourable agreements. Prof. highlighted the criteria for successful negotiation, stating that all negotiations should aim to produce a wise agreement, be efficient, and maintain or improve relationships between the parties. The session concluded with a clear emphasis on ethical negotiation, warning against manipulation and coercive tactics, and encouraging participants to negotiate with clarity, flexibility, and long-term perspective.