A Blackhall Place Law School team has brought home the honours from the annual International Academy of Dispute Resolution-sponsored International Law School Mediation Tournament.

Warm congratulations to David Murphy (Michael Houlihan & Partners) Paula O’Halloran (CDS Law & Tax), Grainne Hussey (Eversheds Sutherland) and coach John Lunney, who trained the Blackhall team.

Awards are given for team performances and individual performances.

Individual award

One of the Blackhall Place trainees Grainne Hussey (Eversheds) also picked up an individual award in recognition of her performance as one of the top individual mediators.

The competition took place from March 4-7 at Loyola Law School in Chicago and 56 teams participated.

The tournament provides law students with the opportunity to learn about various forms and techniques used in mediation, as well as the opportunity to practice their mediation skills in friendly competition with other students from around the world.

Teams of three students each go through three preliminary rounds serving as mediators, as well as advocates and clients. 

The goal is for students to recognize that mediation is about working together to reach a solution, rather than competing at every turn.

Ability

Mediators are judged on their ability to work together with their co-mediator in addition to their listening skills as well as their ability to stay positive and professional, and their ability to guide parties to dispute resolution.

Advocates and clients are judged on their ability to present their case, to articulate their strengths and weaknesses, and to work with the mediators toward a solution while also meeting their needs and interests.

Awards are given for team performances and individual performances.