The University of Auckland has once again solidified its standing as a global powerhouse in alternative dispute resolution by securing the top prize at the 21st edition of the ICC Commercial Mediation Competition. Held in Paris from February 2 to February 7, the event concluded with a high-stakes final round in the historic Émile Boutmy Lecture Hall at Sciences Po University. The New Zealand-based team emerged victorious after a week of grueling competition that tested the negotiation skills, cultural intelligence, and legal acumen of 280 students representing 58 universities from 34 countries. This year’s victory marks a return to form for the University of Auckland, which previously maintained a record-breaking four-year winning streak from 2019 to 2022.
The 21st edition of the competition, organized by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), introduced several significant structural changes designed to enhance the educational experience and the rigour of the tournament. The number of participating teams was expanded from 48 to 58, reflecting the growing global interest in mediation as a primary tool for resolving international commercial disputes. Furthermore, the preliminary rounds saw an increase from two to three judges per session to ensure more comprehensive feedback for the participants. In the knockout stages, an octo-final round was introduced, replacing the traditional quarter-final format to accommodate the larger pool of competing universities.
Chronology of the 21st ICC Mediation Competition
The week-long event followed a meticulously planned schedule that balanced competitive sessions with networking and professional development opportunities. The competition officially commenced on February 2 with an opening ceremony and orientation for the 120 professional mediators and academics who served as judges and mediators.
From February 3 to February 5, teams engaged in a series of preliminary rounds. Each round featured a unique mock case based on real-world commercial conflicts, requiring students to represent either the requesting or responding party. These sessions were administered under the ICC Mediation Rules, providing students with a practical framework used by legal professionals worldwide. By February 6, the field was narrowed down through the newly implemented octo-finals and subsequent semi-finals.
The final round took place on the morning of Saturday, February 7. The University of Auckland faced off against Bucerius Law School from Hamburg, Germany. This matchup served as a historical echo of the 2020 final, where the two prestigious institutions also competed for the championship trophy. Representing the University of Auckland on stage were Jumana Maash and Chloe Mills, supported by teammates Samuel Foote and Benjamin Jones, and coached by Annabelle Kay and Ji Min Seo. Bucerius Law School was represented on stage by Maria Franziska Geisel and Anna Maria Amann, supported by Persefone Martens, Annalena Vierling, and coaches Niki Papastergiou and Adanel Ulan.
The Final Dispute: A Case Study in Joint Venture Conflict
The problem for the final round was authored by renowned Hong Kong-based mediator Jody Sin. The scenario involved a complex mock dispute surrounding a joint venture that owned multiple international handbag brands. The parties were tasked with resolving disagreements over brand management, profit distribution, and the long-term strategic direction of the partnership.
Presiding over the final as the mediator was Bill Wood, a distinguished mediator from London. The panel of judges included five internationally recognized experts in the field: Aneesha Bhunjun, Mary McLain, Alain Roy, Lela Porter Love, and Tat Lim. The judges evaluated the teams not on their ability to "win" a legal argument in the traditional sense, but on their ability to use mediation techniques to bridge gaps, identify underlying interests, and work toward a mutually beneficial settlement.
Following the conclusion of the session, judge Tat Lim praised the participants for their maturity and technical skill. "The level of sophistication in the communication stood out to me," Lim noted. "It was truly an exceptional final that demonstrated how mediation can transform a adversarial confrontation into a collaborative problem-solving session."
Voices of the Participants
For the winning team from Auckland, the victory was the culmination of months of preparation and a high-intensity week in Paris. Chloe Mills expressed the team’s collective pride and the personal growth experienced during the tournament. "We are so proud to win this prestigious prize. It is a great reward after an intensive week," Mills said. She emphasized that the team’s strategy focused on learning and adaptability. "Besides meeting new people and having a bit of fun, we came to the competition with the mindset to learn as much as possible, not only about mediation but also about ourselves and each other. It is very rewarding that the long nights have paid off."
The runners-up from Bucerius Law School also reflected on the educational value of the experience. Anna Maria Amann highlighted the increasing difficulty of the cases as the tournament progressed. "The final session was definitely the most challenging one. Throughout the week, the cases got progressively harder, but thanks to the support of our coaches, teamwork, and the strong opponents, it allowed us to grow together," Amann remarked. She noted that the competition provided a unique bridge between legal theory and practical application.
Supporting Data and the Growth of International Mediation
The ICC Commercial Mediation Competition is widely regarded as the world’s largest educational event dedicated exclusively to international commercial mediation. The scale of the 21st edition underscores the ICC’s commitment to promoting alternative dispute resolution (ADR) globally. With 58 teams from 34 different countries, the event serves as a melting pot of legal cultures and negotiation styles.
The competition is not merely an academic exercise; it reflects the real-world shift in how global corporations approach conflict. According to data provided by the ICC, mediation is becoming an increasingly popular choice for businesses. In 2025 alone, 36 formal requests for mediation were registered with the ICC International Centre for ADR. Furthermore, empirical data suggests that mediation is highly effective, with more than 70% of cases resulting in a full or partial settlement.
Alexander G. Fessas, Secretary General of the ICC International Court of Arbitration and Director of ICC Dispute Resolution Services, presented the trophy to the University of Auckland. In his address, Fessas highlighted the systemic benefits of mediation for the global economy. "The Mediation Competition has been an exceptional forum over the past 21 years," Fessas stated. "Mediation strengthens access to justice and provides a faster, fair, and efficient way of dispute resolution. It protects, and can even restore, commercial relationships, as the mechanism focuses on interest-based outcomes rather than rights-based outcomes."
Analysis of Implications for the Legal Industry
The continued success of the ICC Mediation Competition carries significant implications for the future of the legal profession. As international trade becomes more complex and interconnected, the cost and time associated with traditional litigation and even arbitration have risen. Mediation offers a confidential, flexible, and cost-effective alternative that allows companies to maintain control over the outcome.
By training the next generation of lawyers in these techniques, the ICC is fostering a shift in legal culture from "warrior" advocacy to "problem-solving" advocacy. The skills demonstrated by the students in Paris—active listening, empathy, creative option-generation, and strategic concession-making—are increasingly viewed as essential competencies for modern commercial lawyers.
The University of Auckland’s dominance in this field suggests a pedagogical model that successfully integrates these "soft skills" with rigorous legal analysis. Their ability to consistently perform at the highest level against top-tier law schools like Bucerius indicates a deep-rooted institutional expertise in ADR.
Broader Impact and Future Outlook
The 21st ICC Commercial Mediation Competition serves as a reminder of the enduring importance of dialogue in a fractured global landscape. Beyond the competitive aspect, the event facilitates the creation of a global network of ADR practitioners. The 120 professionals who volunteered their time as judges and mediators represent the vanguard of the industry, and their interaction with the 280 students ensures a transfer of knowledge that will influence legal practices for decades.
As the ICC looks toward the 22nd edition, the organization remains focused on expanding the reach of its mediation services. The International Centre for ADR continues to advocate for the inclusion of mediation clauses in international contracts, pointing to the high settlement rates and the preservation of business partnerships as key advantages.
For the students of the University of Auckland, the victory in Paris is more than just a trophy; it is a validation of their readiness to enter the professional world as skilled negotiators. For the global legal community, the success of the competition is a testament to the viability and vitality of mediation as a cornerstone of international commerce.
The highlights of the week-long competition, including the full recording of the final round between Auckland and Bucerius, have been made available on the ICC’s official social media platforms and YouTube channel, providing a permanent resource for future competitors and ADR enthusiasts worldwide.
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