In a rapidly changing legal climate, negotiation is a skill that is vital to any career in law. The need and desire to reach settlements outside of court has never been greater than it is in the modern day.
Participants in negotiation competitions are given a common set of facts, known by all the parties, and confidential information that will only be known to the participants representing a particular side. The overarching aim is for an agreement to be reached that would be suitable for both parties. Participants receive credit for teamwork, concession management, observation of ethics and the eventual outcome.
Even for those who do not eventually pursue a career in law, negotiation can be an invaluable skill. Business, finance and management careers will draw upon the skills required by a good negotiator.
The Negotiation Competition
Negotiation competitions are conducted within law schools, at a regional level (among teams representing their respective law schools in the region) and at the national level (for teams qualifying for the final competition) in which law students, acting as lawyers, negotiate a series of legal / commercial issues. The winners of the National Competition represent England & Wales in the International Negotiation Competition.
Buckingham Law School has maintained an exceptionally strong showing in the National Negotiation Competition. Most recently, on 8 February 2014, four students represented the University at the regional heats held at the University of Law, Guildford.
The Law School’s excellence in the National Competition reached its peak in 2006, when the Law School won the National Competition and represented England & Wales in the International Negotiation Competition in Florida, USA.
Buckingham’s internal selection process for the next competition will take place in December 2014. Four students will be selected by a panel of judges composed of members of the teaching staff in the Law School. These students will represent the Law School in the 2014-2015 National Competition. There will also be various opportunities to participate in negotiation exercises hosted by the Buckingham Student Law Society throughout the academic year.
