Solving emotionally charged problems, while taking the interests of all parties into account, is in itself a challenging task. When the other side is connected only digitally via zoom, even the most experienced mediators are challenged.
What began a few years ago as a small national preparatory round for the ICC competition in Paris, has continued to develop into an independent and international entity in recent years. Consequently, from November 19-21, 2020, the Bucerius Mediation Team welcomed 22 teams and over 50 professional mediators and experts in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Digital hosting presents a special opportunity
The digital competition made it possible for universities from countries such as Nigeria, India and Russia to compete in a total of 34 mediations. In an exciting final under the direction of Dr. Felix Dörfelt, alumnus of Bucerius Law School, the University of Florence was able to prevail over the University of California’s Hastings College of Law, and win the competition. Bucerius Law School's team also successfully participated in the competition and took third place. It is now preparing for the next upcoming competition in February hosted by the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris.
During the course of the competition, formats such as the "Digital Coffee Break" were offered as an opportunity for informal exchanges between students and mediators*, as well as presentations by Thomas Valentini on "Advocacy in Mediation" and "Mediator Use of Conferences and Caucuses".
We would especially like to thank Dr. Bauckmann and the Center for International Dispute Resolution for their kind support. We hope next year to welcome many of the universities and newly established contacts in Hamburg for the upcoming Bucerius Mediation Competition.
