The International ADR Mooting Competition is a truly innovate and exciting initiative of three institutions, the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), the School of Law of City University of Hong Kong (CityU) and the School of Law of Columbia University (New York). City University of Hong Kong is the host institution and the Third International ADR Moot will take place at CityU. Competing teams may be accommodated in student residences at CityU.

The International ADR Mooting Competition comprises both mediation and arbitration in one competition and allows one student in each moot (not involving their home university) an opportunity to act as arbitrator and mediator. Its unique structure involves an arbitral hearing taking place immediately followed by mediation proceedings. This format was first pioneered in the 2010 competition and was a great success.

The establishment of this unique alternative dispute resolution and mooting competition owes much to a number of individuals and organizations. I thank Professor Tang Houzhi and Mr Yu Jianlong of CIETAC, without whose support and wise counsel the competition could not have been established, Dean Brian Gibson, Professor George Bermann of Columbia University Law School for their ever-present support and sound advice, and Mr Rajesh Sharma, the Director of Mooting Programs at CityU for his steadfast support, hard work and assistance. Dr Vernon Nase is the Director of this Moot. I value greatly his contributions and am grateful for his leadership and hard work in establishing this competition. My special thanks also go to Dr Bruno Zeller of Victoria University, the drafter of the competition scenario for the 2012 competition. And always at CityU there are a number of administrative staff who work silently and diligently to make things happen.

I encourage all Law Schools to consider providing your students with a magnificent opportunity to come to the most vital and dynamic city in the world and to engage in the art and craft of arbitration and mediation. Join us at CityU and compete to become the winner of the 2012 International ADR Mooting Competition.

Professor Wang Guiguo
Dean and Chair Professor of Chinese and Comparative Law
School of Law
City University of Hong Kong