AUA LL.M. Program Mediation and Arbitration Clinic Established to Improve Armenian Judicial System

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YEREVAN, Armenia – The American University of Armenia (AUA)’s Legal Resource Center (AUA LRC), has joined forces with ADR Partners LLC, one of the pioneers of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) movement in Armenia, to form the AUA LL.M. Program Mediation and Arbitration Clinic. The AUA LL.M. Program Mediation and Arbitration Clinic aims to improve Armenia’s legal system and to establish effective methods of dispute resolution.

ADR comprises alternative means of dispute resolution methods, which are mainly mediation, conciliation, arbitration, settlement conference, and any other alternative means to the court, which are often faster, more cost effective, and more specialized than litigation. The main goal of the AUA LL.M. Program Mediation and Arbitration Clinic is to develop a younger generation of future mediators and arbitrators who will be able to drive ADR practice and foster Armenia’s economic growth by reducing people’s costs, resources, and time on dispute resolution in state courts.

The AUA LL.M. Program Mediation and Arbitration Clinic is actively involved in organizing trainings, conferences, and seminars on ADR, conducting research in policy-making issues, and providing legislative recommendations in the field of ADR. Their most recent activity includes the organization of a master class for judges’ assistants, organized in cooperation with the Republic of Armenia Judicial Department, during which participants shared their thoughts on mediation and arbitration and gave insight into how ADR will be developed in Armenia very soon. Currently the team is in process of organizing the Second Mock Arbitration Competition for all law schools in Armenia, which will be held on March 22-23, 2014.

The working team of the AUA LL.M. Program Mediation and Arbitration Clinic, led by current AUA Visiting Lecturer Dr. Mushegh Manukyan, is comprised of Heghine Badalyan (LL.M. ’13), Mariam Mkrtichyan (LL.M. ’13), and Karine Poghosyan (LL.M. ’12). Maria Abrahamyan (LL.M. ‘11) and Mary Galstyan (LL.M. ’12) also contribute to projects.

Click here for more information on AUA LL.M. Program Mediation and Arbitration Clinic activities.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.

Members of the AUA LL.M. Program Mediation and Arbitration Clinic at the Mock Arbitration Competition in May 2013.