Former Supreme Court judge Justice Bela M Trivedi delivered a powerful message to aspiring legal professionals during the inauguration of the 2nd International Moot Court Competition 2025, emphasizing that the practice of law constitutes service to society rather than a business enterprise.
Three Essential Qualities for Future Lawyers
Addressing participants at Rashtriya Raksha University in Ahmedabad on Friday, Justice Trivedi outlined three fundamental attributes necessary for law students to drive societal progress. Courage, competency, and conscience emerged as the cornerstone qualities she identified as essential for the legal fraternity's future representatives.
"Practice of law is not a business; it is a service to society," Justice Trivedi asserted during her inaugural address. She further elaborated that integrity must define the legal profession, while justice should remain the eternal pursuit for every legal practitioner.
International Law as Global Guardian
The competition, centered around the theme "International Law and Global Security," provided the platform for Justice Trivedi's reflections on the critical role of international law in today's interconnected world. She characterized international law as "a guardian of global order" while highlighting contemporary threats that transcend national boundaries.
Among the pressing challenges she identified were:
- Terrorism and cyber warfare
- Misinformation campaigns
- Climate-induced displacement
- Money laundering operations
Justice Trivedi stressed that these complex issues demand collective legal frameworks and international cooperation for effective resolution.
Global Participation and Academic Exchange
The international moot court competition witnessed substantial participation with over 24 teams comprising 72 participants from multiple countries including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Kenya. The event featured multiple competitive rounds complemented by keynote lectures from distinguished members of the judiciary, academia, and legal profession.
Professor Bimal N Patel, Vice Chancellor of Rashtriya Raksha University, underscored the inseparable connection between law and security during his address. "You cannot achieve security by becoming autocratic, nor can you rely solely on law while ignoring escalating global threats," he observed.
Professor Patel further explained that the university's approach integrates both domains to foster a fair and secure world order. He encouraged participants to immerse themselves not only in the competition but also in the rich academic environment, emphasizing the importance of understanding the delicate balance between legal frameworks and security imperatives.
The event served as a significant platform for legal education and international collaboration, bringing together emerging legal minds to address some of the most pressing global security challenges through the lens of international law.
