There's a new law school ODR competition that's just kicking off -- full details and enrolment are at www.DontSue.net where you can also see screenshots of the platform to be used in the competition.
This competition is serving as the 2008 International Competition for Online Dispute Resolution (ICODR 2008) -- more than 270 teams from law schools around the world have competed in ICODR since its commencement five years ago.
Key points:
* The whole competition takes place online using a cutting-edge ODR platform
* As well as the team players, other students in each school can log on to watch the matches and also contribute to team discussions.
* The competition tests not just negotiation but the taking of client instructions (a 'client' delivers the scenario in answer to questions), drawing up of the court papers, direct negotiation and mediation (with a live online mediator). Within the mediation phase there is also the opportunity to engage in 'anonymous brainstorming' a new mediation solution technique made available through our technology.
* Each team has two matches, one acting for the Claimant and one for Defendant.
* Each team is given a licence to run three further non-competition matches using the software
* One player from the winning team is awarded a trip to the 7th International Forum on Online Dispute Resolution to be held at Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada in June 2008 . The winning school is given their own online Pro Bono Clinic branded to the school and hosted for free for five years.
* A distinguished Organising Committee has been formed to oversee the competition
* Each school is given continuing access to their match files as a learning tool for the school.
* Entrance fee is GBP 300 per team, but as I'm on the organizing committee, I can get in one team for free -- just let me know if you're interested!
* The team that brought you the International Competitions for Online Dispute Resolution (ICODR) support this new adventure as ICODR 2008.
The closing date for registration is the 7th of March.