From 14–16 November 2025, Bucerius Law School once again became a meeting point for outstanding young legal talent as it hosted the 11th Bucerius Mediation Competition by BODENHEIMER. Over the course of three days, students from 24 universities from 15 countries around the globe and mediation professionals gathered to immerse themselves in an atmosphere defined by agility, creativity, and a distinctly human-centered approach – qualities that equally underpin modern mediation practice.
Successful 11th Bucerius Mediation Competition by BODENHEIMER
The international gathering of student talent showcased the global future of mediation in Hamburg.
Lehre & Studium
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A competition defined by skills that matter
What sets this annual event apart is the breadth of skills it helps participants develop. While legal knowledge forms a necessary foundation, the competition pushes far beyond doctrinal expertise. Throughout the rounds, students demonstrated the kind of active listening that uncovers what truly lies beneath positions, the empathy that allows parties to feel understood, and the communication style that builds trust even in moments of tension. Their strategic choices reflected an understanding of psychology rather than pressure tactics, and the teamwork on display routinely carried participants through demanding exchanges when nerves rose. These are the qualities shaping today’s legal practice, and seeing the next generation engage with them so naturally is one of the most rewarding aspects of the event. All this was underlined by a panel talk by mediators regarding the influence of their different professional backgrounds on their mediation practices.
Honouring this year’s achievements
The 2025 edition brought together an impressive international field. At the end of three days of intense and thoughtful rounds, Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai emerged as the winner, followed by The University of Georgia (Tbilisi) as the runner-up. The award for Best Negotiation Style went to Špela Cverle from the University of Ljubljana, whose clarity, composure, and insight stood out in every session.
A weekend made possible by many
This year’s competition would not have been possible without the enduring partnership with BODENHEIMER as the main sponsor of the Bucerius Mediation Competition, as well as the generous support of Bauckmann & Partner and the International Mediation Campus for sponsoring awards and scholarships. We also extend our gratitude to the law firm Hogan Lovells for their warm welcome and hospitality in their Hamburg office. The head of organisation at Bucerius Law School was Jurij Lenz Brudereck.
As we look back on the 11th edition of the competition, it is clear that the future of mediation is in excellent hands. The commitment, creativity, and humanity shown throughout the weekend reaffirms why this event has become such an important fixture in the global mediation community.
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