By Katrina Hall, Legal Assistant, Tendeka

In April 2021, I was asked to represent the University of Aberdeen in the National DPLP Negotiation Competition. This competition was held, virtually, by the University of Strathclyde and involved simulated negotiations about partnerships and leases. Winning this national competition meant that we then got to represent Scotland at the International Negotiation Competition.

“The International Negotiation Competition (INC) is the oldest and most renowned competition focusing on international legal negotiation for law students from all over the world.” Due to the pandemic, the competition went online this year and comprised of both INC rounds 2020 and 2021. It was hosted by the National University of Singapore and the Singapore International Mediation Institute, from 28 June to 3 July 2021.

We were up against 28 teams from 19 different countries during the INC and managed to achieve 3^rd  place! All teams participated in 3 rounds (both two-party and four-party negotiations) which explored various contractual arrangements concerning space law, construction, intellectual property, and technology. These rounds were judged by various panels of legal experts from the participating countries. In the first round we were against teams from England, India and Italy, and then we were up against an Irish team and then another Italian team.

The scenarios given were complex and the standard of participation was high. Although the scenarios centred around space law, the contractual and IP elements were familiar to me through my work as a legal assistant at Tendeka. This familiarity was a massive help, and I could not have achieved 3^rd  place without the skills that I have learnt in my job.

Had the competition been allowed to go ahead in person, we would have travelled to the University of Montana for the week!! Although the competition was held virtually, it was a great learning experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity.

Tendeka has been very supportive throughout my time at university, and I will be sad, yet very excited, to leave in August to begin my traineeship to qualify as a solicitor.

Virtual Award Ceremony

2021 INC AWARD CERT KATRINA

2021 INC AWARD Katrina Hall