Queen’s student on top of the world  

Aidan Hughes, who is completing his barrister training at Queen’s Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS), has claimed first prize at an International Law School Mediation Tournament.

The Portstewart student competed against 156 trainee lawyers from around the world to win the ‘Outstanding Individual Mediator’ award in a competition in Chicago, Illinois. The tournament is organised by the International Academy of Dispute Resolution and was attended by 52 teams from as far afield as Australia, United Kingdom, Sri Lanka and Germany as well as home sides from the USA.

Aidan is a graduate of the University’s School of Law and a former Vice-President of the Students’ Union. He is currently completing the one-year Bar course at the Institute, which provides internationally recognised training for barristers and solicitors.

Speaking about his success, Aidan said: “The competition was fierce in that there were a number of prestigious law schools represented from all over the world. Queen’s is known for the international opportunities it offers its students and this was a great experience for me, and was made possible through the support of Barbara Jemphrey and the IPLS. It was a valuable learning experience and a great opportunity to meet students from as far away as India, Australia and Ukraine, as well as getting to experience the busy Chicago lifestyle.

“Mediation is definitely a skill of the future, in that more people are looking for alternatives to Court. I am very lucky to be able to say that I have been ranked among the best mediators in the world.”

Aidan was one of a team of three students from the IPLS who took part in the tournament at Loyola University, Chicago, along with Bobbie-Leigh Herdman from Belfast, and Conleth Rooney from Holywood. The Queen’s trio, coached by the Institute’s Associate Director Barbara Jemphrey, claimed tenth place in the team competition.

Commenting on the University’s achievement, IPLS Director Paul Mageean said: “Aidan, Bobbie-Leigh and Conleth have excelled on the global stage and their success has helped put Queen’s and Northern Ireland on the world map in terms of professional legal training. Aidan’s victory in the individual competition is testament to his own hard work and to the high standard of training provided at the Institute. Mediation skills are key to a successful legal career, and I have no doubt Aidan and his team mates have bright futures ahead of them.”

Aidan’s success follows that of fellow trainee solicitor Paula Fitzpatrick from South Belfast. Paula won the ‘Best Overall Mediator’ award at the UK Law School Mediation Competition, held at Queen’s in September. Queen’s also claimed second prize in the team competition.

For more on the IPLS visit http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/InstituteofProfessionalLegalStudies; media inquiries to the Communications Office at Queen’s on 028 9097 5310 email comms.officer@qub.ac.uk

Photo: Trainee barrister Aidan Hughes (centre), with Barbara Jemphrey (left), and Paul Mageean (right).

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