A team of Kent law students has secured a place in the national final of the annual Negotiation Competition.
Sean Wells and Tomi Popoola came second in the regional heat held in London. They were one of three teams from Kent Law School competing for a place in the national final.
Sean, a second year Law student, and Tomi, a final year Law and Business Administration student, will go forward to compete for the national title at University College London (UCL) on Saturday 21 March.
Negotiation module convenor Janie Clement-Walker (an alumna of Kent Law School), said: ‘Although, we have consistently reached the finals in the National Mediation Competition and the International Mediation Championships, this is the first time we have reached the final of the national Negotiation Competition, that is since my negotiation partner and I got through in 2008.
‘I’m really proud of all three teams, especially the third team, Moonira Mamoon and Rachel Bale; they were put together the day before the competition when a team from another university pulled out at the last minute. Our second team was Tom French and Laura Muraca.’
‘Sean and Tomi will join all the finalists in London a couple of weeks before the national final for a day of training with the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR). This is a great opportunity for them both!’
The Negotiation Module is one of two non-credited Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) modules that have been running at the school since 2010. The second non-credited ADR module is the Mediation Module.
Both extracurricular modules provide an introduction to the skills required to resolve legal disputes without recourse to litigation. Students develop the practical skills required through workshops and competitions.
Although optional, successful completion of the ADR modules is noted on final degree transcripts.
Mediation and negotiation are amongst several options open to students at Kent Law School who are keen to develop their practical legal skills; other options include getting involved with the work of Kent Law Clinic, mooting, client interviewing and participation in mock trials.