Interviewees: | Chhavi Singla & Wamic Wasim Nargal (Batch of 2019, RGNUL) |
Interviewer: | Samiksha Agarwal &Niitom Kuli (Digital Editors, RGNUL Cosmos) |
Introduction: The team comprising of Wamic Wasim Nargal and Chhavi Singla emerged as the winners of the 7th Herbert Smith Freehills-NLUD International Negotiation Competition. They created history as they are the first from RGNUL and second overall in India to win such a prestigious competition which saw participation from seven different countries of the world and top law universities across the globe.
Q.1) Heartiest congratulations to both of you for achieving this tremendous feat. This is the first time that RGNUL has won HSF negotiation competition. So, how did you feel when you were declared the winner of this negotiation competition?
Chhavi: Thanks a lot. It was an amazing and surreal feeling to win the competition. Having been organized by Herbert Smith Freehills and witnessing the participation of teams from 7 countries around the world, this competition has been the most wholesome experience of my law school so far. The level of exposure was immense. Aside from the competitive side of the competition, we got the opportunity to interact with students from all around the world and develop a better understanding of different perspectives.
Wamic: Thank you so much. Well, to receive such a magnificent trophy in the majestic and jam-packed hall of National Law University, Delhi amid thunderous applause was a surreal experience for us. For those who do not know, NLU Delhi was in fact my dream University. I tried to get in twice - but could not, by a whisker. Thus, to receive the trophy at the altar of NLU Delhi was a moment of vindication for me. It was really an exquisite feeling, beyond what words can possibly contain
Q.2) There are so many aspects of a negotiation competition and teamwork is one of them. How did you guys manage to implement this in a professional setup along with being such good friends?
Wamic: In my opinion, the thing that really worked in our favour was that we were very candid and extemporaneous in our dealing throughout the competition. The fact that Chhavi and I are best friends, made it way easier for us to be candid due to the level of comfort which existed between us.
Chhavi: I genuinely believe that team coordination and compatibility are one of the most important factors in any competition. For us, it was a major driving force that helped us to put our best foot forward in the competition. I was the Client, while Wamic was the Counsel. Thus, while I had to present the problem, his responsibility was to look for solutions to the same. Talking about being good friends, my proficiency in landing myself in trouble and Wamic’s long-standing experience of solving my problems helped us execute the same in a professional setup with great coordination and compatibility.
Q.3) Can you please tell us about the people who helped you in achieving this great feat, maybe the role of mentors, faculty or peers? Also, do you think that being a part of RGNUL helped you out in achieving this success?
Both: We would particularly like to mention the instrumental role played by two of our seniors - Faiz Uddin Ahmad and Talin Bhardwaj. Without their invaluable insights and contribution, this victory would not have been possible. It would also be apt to acknowledge the contribution of our peers - Dikshant Johar and Rudra Pratap Singh Jamwal - who by their display of unwavering faith in our capabilities, kept us insulated from our own doubts and diffidence. We think the fact that we are from RGNUL motivated us at a subconscious level. This competition saw the participation of universities like the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, the University College London, and others, which are stalwarts in their respective fields. We were clearly the underdogs while going into the competition. There were teams who had not even heard the name of RGNUL. However, the moment we were declared winners, everybody knew that there is a University called RGNUL that not only has the potential to compete with top universities, but also possesses the capability to defeat them.
Q.4) Due to the pandemic most of the competitions have been held in online mode. How was your experience in an offline setup? Can you share with us some insights which were memorable for you during the rounds?
Wamic: Since the pandemic restrictions were relaxed, we really wanted to participate in an offline competition. We had an impression that the thrill and experience of the same would be comparatively better than online competitions. And so, it was. Now I can safely say that offline competitions bring an exponential level of exposure. I personally made a lot of friends and connections during my time at NLU-D. It was an enjoyable experience - to be there in real-time, regardless of whether we were discussing ideas, opinions, feedback, or simply having a candid conversation over lunch.
Chhavi: I, individually, and with Wamic, as a team, have participated in several competitions before this, but this was our first offline competition and the experience was extremely enriching. The competition was organized by National Law University, Delhi and was extremely well-organized. The culture at the University and the coordination of the organizing committee were among the several things that I found to be outstanding. Personally, my best experience was against the University of Oxford. I learned a lot from their style of bargaining and would like to use that skill set in further negotiation competitions.
Q.5) Can you share with us some details of the various fields of law that you had to go through while preparing for this negotiation completion? Also, can you tell us the research sources that you referred to while preparing the rounds?
Chhavi: Since the negotiation problems typically involved collaborations and deals between different companies, the laws that we had to go through comprised Company Laws, General Corporate Laws, Competition Law, including, but not limiting to laws on Mergers, Acquisitions, Fair Trade Practices, Shareholding Agreements.
Wamic: This competition centered around business and company laws. Being a student specializing in constitutional law, I was not very well versed in the laws involved in this competition. Therefore, we had to start from scratch. Slowly and steadily, with the help of seniors and peers who specialized in business laws, we started to get a hang of the intricacies involved in these laws. After the competition, it would be apt to remark that I found business laws extremely thought-provoking and by virtue of this competition, my interest was piqued in the same.
Q.6) As the world advances ahead into the future, we can see that our laws have gone through a significant metamorphosis in order to meet the demands of society. Since you guys began school, how has the popularity of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and negotiation risen, and how has this growing popularity influenced the way the general public perceives negotiations as a means to an end?
Wamic: Negotiation is the reckoning of the future, there is no denying that fact. After having participated in several competitions of this nature, I have come to the inescapable conclusion that the best way to secure your interest is by understanding the perspective of the other side rather than sticking to a rigid position, as is generally witnessed in courts. Not all disputes warrant resolution by taking an adversarial position. The essence of negotiation is to be fair - by deliberating upon what you can offer the other side, without compromising on your own interests. In the larger scheme of things, one realizes that this understanding of negotiation is also in line with the concept of justice, which is exactly what the courts of law seek to achieve. Therefore, it is time we realize that negotiations are also a means of achieving the same, without procedural prescriptions being a hindrance to achieving a fair, just and equitable settlement.
Chhavi: I totally and completely agree that the growth of alternative methods of dispute resolution has been skyrocketing. Pursuant to the same, mediation and negotiation competitions have gained a lot of popularity and are almost at par with moot court competitions now. Negotiation is a quicker and more flexible method, as compared to litigation, and allows you to engage in constructive bargaining, thereby, giving you an opportunity to explain your concerns and understand the opposite party’s perspective in a comprehensive manner.
Q.7) Your achievements over the last several years are clearly deserving of commendation. But how did this lengthy and winding journey towards mastery of your bargaining, prop-building, and other related talents come about, and what impact has it had on the two of you as a result?
Chhavi: As already mentioned, I have been intrigued by the methods of alternative dispute resolution since the beginning of my law school and have participated in several mediation and negotiation competitions. Having done all those competitions together, I feel we have developed a certain level of coordination so far as strategizing and brainstorming are concerned, which I feel is the most important skill required in a negotiation. The impact is that now, we are instinctively able to think of constructive offers and counter-offers that facilitate a smooth session.
Wamic: I think the fact that I have gained a lot of mooting experience over the past couple of years tremendously helped me in the question-and-answer round of this competition. The thing that fascinated me the most in this regard was that by exhibiting the skill of persuasion, I found the judges who may have initially differed with our position, to be receptive to our point of view.
Q.8) During the time when the rounds were being played, at what point did you guys become aware that the momentum was beginning to move toward your team?
Chhavi: To be very honest, since the rounds were extremely competitive and edgy, I was never really “extremely definite” about winning, at any point in time. However, I personally felt that the Question-and-Answer round was our team’s strength. The round required us to answer the questions raised by the judges and explain our strategy for the negotiation session; this section of the round made me feel the most confident about our negotiation session.
Wamic: I always consider myself to be either underprepared or an underdog; and as a matter of fact, it insulates me from being complacent and brings out the best in me. So at no point in time, I was really sure that the momentum was with us. And maybe because we thought that the momentum was never with us, we went all in, every time.
Q.9) When it comes to the last question, there are a lot of students who are interested in ADR. What advice would you like to give to your younger batches?
Wamic: I would like to emphasize that on a more fundamental level, it is very important to try. Does not matter if you hit or miss, the bare minimum is to have the courage to strike. It is also essential to have an unshakeable faith in oneself, which, in my experience, only solidifies through persistent efforts and hard work.
Chhavi: I feel that students interested in ADR should augment their interest and inclination by participating in mediation and negotiation competitions. That, I believe, is the first step towards reaching a wider audience and making an impact with your work.
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