The National University of Singapore has taken first place in the 4th Annual International Commercial Mediation Competition hosted by the Amicable Dispute Resolution Service (ADR) of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). This year’s competition took place at the ICC Secretariat in Paris on 7–12 February 2009.

Participants from 40 universities in 18 countries competed over four days, applying ICC’s Amicable Dispute Resolution (ADR) Rules to solve problems devised by a special drafting committee of international mediation experts.

The drafting committee was comprised of the following ADR experts:
• Tracy Allen, International Mediator, Arbitrator, and ADR Trainer; Global Resolutions PLLC
• Claude Amar, Architect, Mediator, Hotel Developer and Managing Director of the John Hardy Group International
• Ronald Austin, Partner and Moderator of Global Mediation Group; Clifford Chance
• Jeremy Lack, Partner; Altenburger
• David Plant, Mediator and Adjunct Professor; Cornell University Law School

Mr Austin and Mr Amar judged the final round, with Mr Plant acting as mediator.

Hamline University School of Law (USA) made it to the final to take second place while third place went to Jagiellonian University (Poland).

The 2009 competition was sponsored by Fidal, Clifford Chance and Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

The winning team was awarded the following:

• First place trophy
• A two-month internship at the ICC Dispute Resolution Services Department
• A two-month internship at Clifford Chance Paris
• A check for €1,500
• A one-year subscription to the ICC International Court of Arbitration Bulletin
• A one-year subscription for each student to the CIArb “International Journal of Arbitration, Mediation and Dispute Management”

On the final day of the competition, the ICC ADR Service hosted a conference entitled “Resolving International Commercial Disputes: getting the best out of mediation techniques,” attended by many competition participants.

Copies of the 4th Annual International Commercial Mediation Competition brochure are available to download on the ICC ADR website:  http://www.iccwbo.org/uploadedFiles/Court/DRS/ADR/competition_2009_brochure.pdf

A DVD of the competition will be provided upon request to ICC ADR Service. The brochure contains a full list of participating professionals and universities. Application information for the 2010 International Commercial Mediation Competition will be available soon on the ICC ADR website. Please visit the ICC ADR website for additional information and other events.    

Mediation as a form of dispute resolution is growing in appreciation and utilization. Mediation provides a valuable opportunity for businesses to maintain relationships while resolving disputes. Mediation offers flexibility, informality, speed and simplicity at a relatively low cost. Under the applied ICC Amicable Dispute Resolution (ADR) Rules, administrative costs cannot exceed US$10,000. The filing fee is US$1,500. Costs for the proposal or the appointment of a third party are US$2,500.   Click here for more information on ICC Amicable Dispute Resolution .