Two third-year Kent Law School students have been named ‘best mediating pair in the UK’ at the National Mediation Finals hosted by Kingston University.

Stacia Franz and Kelly McNulty won the accolade while competing in the National Mediation Finals hosted by Kingston University.

Kelly also won ‘second best individual mediator’ in the UK.

Stacia and Kelly, together with fellow team members Jonothan Boettcher and Chris Sivry, won the award for ‘third best mediation team’ in the UK. Each pair took part in four mediations, taking turns to adopt the roles of mediators and disputing parties.

The team of final year LLB Law students will now go forward to represent Kent at the 14th Annual International Law School Mediation Championships organised by the International Academy of Dispute Resolution.

Kent students have already experienced success at an international level in mediation, with a team from the Law School winning ‘The Most Outstanding New Mediation Team’ trophy in Dublin in 2013. Last year a team from Kent competed in the international championships hosted in Chicago. This year, the competition will be held in London from 18 to 21 February.

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.

For more information email a.p.shieber@kent.ac.uk.