Mediation mastery: law team takes out title

A Faculty of Law team took out the 2022 Asia-Pacific Commercial Mediation Competition following a three-hour head-to-head mock mediation session.

Ayush Sharma, coaches Celia Brownlee and Susie McCluskey, Kelly Ding, Andrew Fu and Maria Romero De Medeiros.

What happens when a pistachio-infused waffle meets the mouth of an unsuspecting, allergy-prone customer?

A team of Auckland Law students skilled in mediation work to settle the resulting dispute between the restaurant and the waffle supplier, and in doing so, take out the 2022 Asia-Pacific Commercial Mediation Competition.

The winning team, made up of Kelly Ding, Maria Romero De Medeiros, Andrew Fu, and Ayush Sharma, trained extensively in the lead-up to the international competition, which saw teams take on mock scenarios (such as the unfortunate case of pistachio-induced anaphylaxis) combining their negotiation strategies, mediation and collaborative problem-solving skills to work towards a resolution.

Twenty-two teams took part in the competition this year, and for many involved, including the University of Auckland team, the knowledge gained during the process will be immensely valuable for years to come.

"A real legacy of success has been created for the Faculty of Law when it comes to mediation competitions, and this has to do with the immense effort that goes into training, learning and growth."

Celia Brownlee Mediation team coach

Team member Kelly Ding said participating in the mediation competition was one of the most enjoyable and beneficial parts of her law journey so far.

"I'm grateful to have had this rare opportunity to practice and develop my ability to tactically advocate, collaboratively problem-solve, and effectively communicate with those who have very different interests and needs.

"It feels like our time, effort, and the incredible support from our coaches and guest coaches has paid off. I couldn't be more proud of our team. It has been a tremendously rewarding experience and such an honour to compete against highly skilled teams from universities across the world. I encourage anyone and everyone to try their hand at it."

Coaches Susie McCluskey and Celia Brownlee, both Faculty of Law alumna, said the team did a fantastic job negotiating for the restaurateur, showcasing their hard-earned negotiation skills and teamwork in a commercial mediation environment.

"They worked so hard and became really talented mediators and negotiators," said Brownlee.

"A real legacy of success has been created for the Faculty of Law when it comes to mediation competitions, and this has to do with the immense effort the students put into their training, learning and growth."

Brownlee and McCluskey say the competition is for any student who’s keen to work hard to develop their skillset and connect with peers and professionals.

Learn more about the 2022 competition here.
 

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Sophie Boladeras | Media adviser
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E: sophie.boladeras@auckland.ac.nz