The 13th edition of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Mediation Competition, which is the world’s largest moot exclusively devoted to international commercial mediation, will be held in Paris from February 2 to 7, 2018.
What began in 2006 with just ten teams, now boasts of an impressive 66 specially selected teams—representing 32 countries throughout the world.
Taking place over six days, students from diverse backgrounds will compete in around 150 mock sessions to resolve international business disputes through mediation. Teams are required to the most current version of the ICC Mediation Rules and are guided by professionals.
More than 130 mediators and mediation trainers give their time to the Competition each year. Some act as mediators, making use of their own experience in resolving cross-border disputes. Others take on the role of judges, assessing each team’s negotiating and problem-solving skills, as well as their ability to make good use of the mediator.
Paired with training programmes and a variety of social events, ICC’s biggest educational event of the year provides a once-in-a-life opportunity for young talented students and experienced professionals alike to forge relationships, build skills and share best practices.
A total of 67 universities across the world are participating in this year’s competition with the United States of America fielding the higest number of eight universities while other countries like Nigeria, Poland and China are represented by one university each.
The 12th edition of the competition held last year was won by the College of Law and Business (Israel), with V.M. Salgaocar College of Law Goa, Goa University (India) taking the second slot, while the third position was won by : Saint Joseph University of Beirut (Lebanon).
The ICC’s International Centre for ADR, with the help of three working groups, develops the programme for the ICC International Mediation Roundtable, revises the Rules and drafts the problems used in the ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition.
Competition Rules
This Working Group is charged with proposing changes to the format of the Competition, as well as drafting the Competition Rules.
Competition Problems
During the ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition, students resolve mock commercial disputes, known as problems, with the help of a professional mediator. These problems are drafted by a group of international commercial mediation experts. Each member creates a problem, consisting of general and confidential information for the Requesting and Responding Party respectively.
Roundtable
A Working Group is constituted each year to develop the programme for the Roundtable, which takes place on the first day of ICC Mediation Week and is open only to professionals participating as judges and mediators in the Competition.
By Nii Adotey/adrdaily.com