Mock Arbitration Competition 2016

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YEREVAN, Armenia — On March 19th and 20th, the American University of Armenia (AUA) hosted the fourth annual Mock Arbitration, giving students a chance to acquire practical knowledge of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), to develop rhetorical skills, and to get advice from top professionals in the field. The competition was organized by the Mediation and Arbitration Clinic of the American University of Armenia LL.M. program, in association with ADR Partners Mediation and Arbitration Center, and was dedicated to commercial arbitration. The aim of the Mock Arbitration was to gather law students from different universities, as well as legal professionals from different institutions, and give them the opportunity to arbitrate a real case, and to give them skills that will be used in building justice mechanisms in Armenia.

This year, eight teams from seven universities competed. The participating universities were the American University of Armenia (AUA), Yerevan State University (YSU) with two teams, French University in Armenia, Vanadzor State University, Institute of Forensic Science and Psychology, Public Administration Academy of the Republic of Armenia (RA), and International Scientific-Educational Center of the National Academy of Sciences.

Participating arbitrators included professionals of private international law, judges and professors from different universities of Armenia. In addition, representatives from the Financial Arbitration Center associated with the Union of Banks of Armenia and representatives from the Office of Financial Ombudsman of Armenia also participated.

The finalists were the teams from Yerevan State University and the Public Administration Academy of the RA. The first place prize went to one of the teams from YSU, and the best written work award went to the Vanadzor State University team. The best speakers had two winners, the leader of the YSU team Lilit Petrosyan, and the member of the International Scientific-Educational Center (of National Academy of Sciences) team Bakur Grigoryan.

AUA LL.M. program Mediation and Arbitration Clinic constituted a unique opportunity for students (undergraduate, post graduate) from legal departments of all universities of Armenia (both Yerevan and regions) to participate in this competition. This event provided the participants a chance for students to acquire practical knowledge of alternative dispute resolution, develop rhetorical skills, and receive professional recommendations from top professionals in this field.

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 US-style education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.