The Asia-Pacific competition is closely associated with the ICC Mediation Competition, Paris. By competing in the APCMC, Universities have the chance of winning a reserved place to compete in the 22^th Annual ICC Mediation Competition in 2027. This is the world’s largest moot exclusively devoted to international commercial mediation.

With your involvement in APCMC 2026, we are keen to create more brilliant learning opportunities for the next group of student teams.

The key aims of the APCMC include:

• Creating a unique opportunity for students to showcase their negotiation skills in a commercial mediation environment.
• Developing skills in collaborative commercial problem solving, analytical judgment and persuasion.
• Connecting aspiring students to strong professional networks.

Fairness, transparency, friendliness and fun  are the hallmarks of this competition. The students’ learning and professional development is a cornerstone of the competition, while creating an engaging environment for networking with peers and professionals.

APCMC-Online

The competition has been a tremendous success online, and in 2026 we are recreating this exciting experience for learning and networking. The competition is being hosted by the Australian Disputes Centre, using Zoom Professional.

Saving on time and travel costs, the online format also opens up a world of connectivity options; creating more compelling reasons for students to be part of APCMC 2026. This includes reprising our highly popular impromptu speech competition, running student webinars on skills and wellness, and offering a range of networking events for students and professionals.

APCMC has an easy online registration process. The one standard registration fee of AUD$1,100 (incl. GST) covers a full team of 4 students, plus 2 coaches. Universities are welcome to register more than one team.

For Student Participants: Opportunities and Initiatives

APCMC also offers a range of unique opportunities designed to engage students holistically before, during, and even after the Competition

Annual Australian ADR Awards: Student Team of the Year

This category is open to Australian APCMC participants of the same year, offering an opportunity for students to be recognised for academic excellence, research, other university involvement or work relating to ADR beyond just participating in APCMC.

We are pleased to have the University of Sydney APCMC 2025 team win the inaugural award last 27 March 2026.

Essay Competition

Following the incredible success of last year’s APCMC Essay Competition, students can opt-in to this opportunity and put their practical ADR knowledge to the test via a long-form research essay. The essay will be on an ADR-specific question of the ADC’s selection, and test the writer’s understanding of ADR in a practical context.

Debating Competition

Drawing on the research completed for their essay, students are invited to exercise their knowledge in conjunction with their advocacy skills in the form of a judged debating competition, where they will go head-to-head with the best and brightest competitors on an ADR-related subject. This is the first year the ADC is introducing the Debating Competition – we look forward to seeing you apply!

Impromptu Speech Competition

The Impromptu Speech Competition has been an APCMC staple throughout the years, and we are excited to reprise it once again. Students develop their on-the-spot critical thinking and oral advocacy skills by devising and performing a 3-minute speech on a subject of their choosing, based on a list released by the ADC shortly prior. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase students’ public speaking skills in a fun, relaxed environment with the support of their peers.

Webinars

APCMC is complemented with a series of professional development webinars, delivered by industry professionals from across the Asia-Pacific region. This is a great opportunity for students to supplement their practical experience with theory, knowledge and tips designed to equip them for an outstanding future in the ADR industry.

See what has been happening in previous Competitions:

Rules and Procedures

The APCMC follows the ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition, which allow for students to exhibit their negotiation and mediation skills in a realistic mock commercial dispute. The competition problems are developed by professional mediators, and based on real international commercial disputes.

Teams of 2-4 students compete against each other in a series of competition rounds. Competing teams represent two sides of an international commercial dispute, with members assuming the roles of the Client and Counsel. A qualified professional mediates the dispute, and distinguished judges assess how well the teams have advanced their interests.

Full details of Competition procedures and judging criteria are available in the Competition Rules.

Download the APCMC 2026 Rules

Competition Problems

The mediation problems have been written specifically for this Mediation Competition by a team of leading legal and mediation professionals. The problems are available for purchase in booklet form from the website. See the compendium of Commercial Mediation Role-plays Cases from the ADC-ICC Asia Pacific Commercial Mediation Competition (APCMC) 2017–2020 for purchase HERE.

Applications

University Teams: University teams of 2-4 students are invited to apply. Learn More and Register.

Professional Mediators: Professional mediators are invited to apply to volunteer as competition judges or mediators. Learn More and Register.

Key Dates

Partnership Opportunities

Partnering with the ADC-ICC Asia-Pacific Commercial Mediation Competition offers tremendous branding opportunities. Speak with us about this unique and rewarding profile opportunity. Contact us APCMC@disputescentre.com.au