National Mediation Competition 2025: Building Skills for Effective Conflict Resolution

A modern legal professional is expected not only to have a strong command of the law but also to demonstrate advanced communication skills, understand the interests of the parties involved, and be able to facilitate balanced solutions. Mediation plays a key role in building these competencies and is gradually gaining recognition as an essential conflict resolution tool in Ukraine.

On May 30–31, 2025, Vinnytsia will host the National Mediation Competition focused on resolving family and labor disputes. The competition offers a practical platform for law students to gain hands-on experience in managing conflict situations through mediation, while sharpening their skills in effective negotiation and constructive communication.

The Competition is organized by the Association of Legal Clinics of Ukraine in partnership with the Ukrainian Academy of Mediation and the National Mediation and Reconciliation Service. Additional partners include Vasyl Stus Donetsk National University (Faculty of Law, Mykola Udod Legal Clinic), Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University (Research and Training Laboratory of Mediation, Negotiation and Arbitration), and the State University of Trade and Economics (Legal Clinic “Center for Legal Protection”).

Format and Participation Conditions

The Competition is open to teams of two students enrolled in legal programs at higher education institutions in Ukraine.

First Stage (Qualifying Round):
Teams prepare a written analysis assessing the mediability of a proposed family or labor dispute.
The deadline for submitting written works is May 18, 2025.

Second Stage (Practical Round):
Teams that successfully pass the qualifying round will participate in the practical phase, which involves model information and evaluation sessions with mediators and parties to the dispute.
The practical stage will take place on May 30–31, 2025, at the coworking space of Donetsk National University named after Vasyl Stus (21 600-Richchya Street, Vinnytsia).

Accommodation and meals for participants during the event will be provided by the organizers.

Registration

Team registration is open until May 11, 2025 via the following link: Registration Form

The detailed Competition Regulations are available at: Competition Regulations

Contacts of the Organizing Committee

Liliia Amelicheva (Association of Legal Clinics of Ukraine, Vasyl Stus Donetsk National University)
Tel.: +38 095 707 13 83, +38 098 908 52 75

Valentyna Duka (Ukrainian Academy of Mediation)
Tel.: +38 093 739 15 56

Email: ucm.may.2025@gmail.com

We invite teams from legal clinics and law students across Ukraine to join the Competition and strengthen their skills in effective conflict resolution.

The Competition is organized with the financial support of the European Union under the “CONSENT: Strengthening the Role of Alternative Dispute Resolution with a Focus on Mediation in Ukraine” project, implemented by the Ukrainian Academy of Mediation.