NUS Law students emerge champions of prestigious ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition

A team of NUS Law undergraduates comprising Mervyn Lin ’27, Tianao Li ’27, Taesha Tan ’27 and Joan Goh ’27 beat 47 other university teams from 32 countries to emerge victorious in the 20th International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Commercial Mediation Competition held in Paris on 8 February.

The annual ICC Mediation Competition is a globally renowned dispute resolution competition dedicated to international commercial mediation. It aims to provide students with an opportunity to develop practical skills in mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution, which are vital in international law and business. Teams participate in pairs (comprising one client and one counsel) in mock mediation sessions, where they simulate resolving business-related or commercial disputes with the help of a mediator.

The NUS Law team gained eligibility to compete in the Paris competition after winning the third ICC-Hong Kong International Commercial Mediation Competition in December 2024. During the Paris finals, they went head-to-head and eventually emerged victorious against a team from the University of New South Wales as they tackled the mock mediation problem of unauthorised logging in protected timber harvesting zones.

Their victories in both competitions underscore the robust competitive tradition at NUS Law. The Faculty boasts an impressive track record in international competitions, with students regularly earning recognition and winning awards for their exceptional performances. For students, participating in these competitions is a crucial part of their academic journey, as it helps cultivate legal skills in analysis, writing, presentation and communication. It also provides valuable exposure to international legal practices. Additionally, the process fosters teamwork and collaboration, while the unwavering support provided to the team in Hong Kong and Paris exemplifies the strong sense of camaraderie that defines the culture at NUS Law.

The team held multiple practice sessions with alumni from the competition and NUS Law’s Collaborative Disputes Resolution Club (CDRC) each week to strategise mediation approaches, hone the team’s negotiation and mediation skills and receive detailed feedback on their performances.

NUS Law Professor Joel Lee, Advisor to the CDRC, one of the faculty members who mentored the team in their preparation for the competitions, said: “The team deserves credit for their hard work, determination, initiative and skill in participating in and placing first in both these competitions.”

He also acknowledged the efforts of those who assisted the team on their journey, including their coaches, fellow students, and competition alumni, highlighting in particular alumnus Melvin Loh ’11 who supported the team in Paris during the later rounds of the competition.

Thanks to the thorough preparation and support, Mervyn, Tianao, Taesha and Joan were able to stay nimbly prepared for each round despite the time constraints and adapt their mediation strategies when faced with the different mediation styles of competing teams from universities around the world.

Taesha observed that legal concepts she learnt in her courses such as Contract Law, Equity and Trusts, and Company Law provided the foundation needed in such competitions. The second-year student, who is the current CDRC Vice President, shared: “Regardless of whether we were playing the roles of client or counsel, we were required to fuse our knowledge with commercial understanding of the industry, while negotiating an appropriate outcome for our team. Aside from such technical knowledge, soft skills such as oral advocacy and the precision required in legal writing helped us frame sharp and effective communications throughout the competition.”

The team found the experience of participating in the competitions incredibly fulfilling. With both the semi-finals and the finals of the Hong Kong competition being held on the same day, Taesha recalled how heartwarming it was to witness the team members, each with their unique perspectives and styles, unite to strategise and ultimately emerge as winners.

The finals of the ICC competition in Paris, however, was a stressful experience, noted Tianao. Unlike the earlier rounds held behind closed doors, the finals took place in the Émile Boutmy Lecture Hall and were live-streamed worldwide.

“Having to speak into microphones in front of an audience—both in the hall and online—made the experience even more nerve-wracking. On top of that, our opponents were incredibly experienced, so the pressure was intense,” he explained.

“But thanks to my coaches and teammates, who helped me refine my strategy and build my confidence, I was able to stay composed and adapt to the challenges. It was definitely stressful, but also a really rewarding experience.”

This story was first published on 28 February 2025 on NUS News. Click here for more NUS News stories.