University of Auckland wins 2026 ICC Mediation Competition

The 21st edition of the ICC Commercial Mediation Competition came with some changes: an increase in the number of teams competing, from 48 to 58, an increase from two to three judges in preliminary rounds, and an octo-final replacing the quarter-final in the tournament. Something that stayed the same was the location of the final round, the historical Émile Boutmy Lecture Hall of Sciences Po University in Paris. On Saturday morning, competing teams faced a mock dispute of a joint venture owning multiple handbag brands. The competition mock problem was written by Hong Kong mediator Jody Sin and was mediated by Bill Wood, a mediator from London.

The University of Auckland holds a strong reputation at the ICC Mediation Competition, winning over four consecutive years from 2019 to 2022. Acting as requesting party, Jumana Maash and Chloe Mills took the stage for the final round while team members Samuel Foote, Benjamin Jones, and coaches Annabelle Kay and Ji Min Seo supported from the audience. Commenting on the team’s win, Ms Mills said:

“We are so proud to win this prestigious prize. It is a great reward after an intensive week. 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. It was truly a team effort and that’s what makes this victory so special to us”.

The ICC Mediation Competition is one of the biggest educational competitions worldwide dedicated exclusively to international commercial mediation. Hosted in Paris from 2-7 February, the 21st edition of the Competition saw 58 university Teams from 34 countries compete to resolve international business disputes through mediation. Guided by professional mediators and administered under the ICC Mediation Rules, more than 95 mock mediation sessions took place. In total, over 280 students and 120 professionals took part.

Judges for the final were Aneesha Bhunjun, Mary McLain, Alain Roy, Lela Porter Love and Tat Lim. Mr Lim said:

“The level of sophistication in the communication stood out to me. It was truly and exception final”.

The Competition trophy was awarded by Alexander G. Fessas, Secretary General of the ICC International Court of Arbitration Secretary and Director of ICC Dispute Resolution Services.

He said:

“The Mediation Competition has been an exceptional forum over the past 21 years. 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. Data shows that in more than 70% of mediation cases, there is a settlement at least in a part of their dispute. Mediation works, and that is why we at ICC advocate for mediation”.

This year’s final echoed 2020, when the University of Auckland also won against Bucerius Law School. This year, the team from Hamburg comprised Maria Franziska Geisel and Anna Maria Amann on the stage, and Persefone Martens, Annalena Vierling and coaches Niki Papastergiou and Adanel Ulan from the stands. Ms Amann said:

“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, team work, and the strong opponents, it allowed us to grow together. It is very interesting to put theoretics into real life practical experience. The Competition left a lasting impression”.

Re-live all the highlights of the ICC Mediation Competition on X and Facebook. A recording of the final session is also available on the ICC Official YouTube channel @ICCWBO1919.   

In 2025, 36 requests for mediation were registered with the ICC International Centre for ADR under the ICC Mediation Rules. 

For more information on ICC mediation services, visit the ICC International Centre for ADR.