Our 2026 Negotiation Competition

Learning the art of negotiating

We are proud to have hosted the fourth annual Commercial Negotiation Competition. Students from Bournemouth University are invited to participate and showcase their commercial awareness and negotiating abilities and attempt to reach a pragmatic and favourable agreement against their fellow students in a fictious scenario prepared and provided by Ellis Jones Solicitors.

On the 25^th of February, Conor Maher and Matt Rushent hosted a seminar, accompanied by this year’s legal placements and previous participants, Caroline Chambers and Dimitar Bogdanov at Bournemouth University where participants were able to learn more about the art of negotiation as a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution, placing emphasis on a co-operative approach being at the heart of a well conducted negotiation. Additionally, the seminar discussed the differing approaches to analysis of the scenarios. In using a creative conceptual metaphor named the ‘Legal Fortress’ to keep students engaged with their clients’ motivations, to breakdown the legal claim and ease the understanding of an otherwise challenging concept. Upon the conclusion of the seminar, participating students had the opportunity to ask any questions and seek further advice from our panel ahead of the heats on the 5^th of March 2026.

The competition heats and final

During the heats, competition was fierce and it was clear that the participants had incorporated at least one of the three major negotiation styles (competitive, co-operative and problem solving) presented during the seminar hosted earlier in February. The judges were extremely impressed with the way the negotiations were conducted, and the clear effort into the preparation the students of Bournemouth University had undertook in their analysis of the scenario and understanding of their client needs and position.

The final round that showcased four brilliant finalists was held on Thursday 19th March at our Bournemouth office, each bringing a distinctly commercial mindset to the table. Their negotiation skills were put to the test in front of a judging panel made up of Richard Smith, Daniel Flynn, Conor Maher and Matt Rushent. Rather than treating it like a purely legal exercise, each finalist showed a strong understanding of real-world priorities for companies in engaging with a dispute. They balanced risk, value creation, and long-term relationships brilliantly, proving that great negotiation isn’t about “winning and losing”; it’s about crafting outcomes that work for the parties. Their ability to frame proposals strategically, and link everything back to tangible business results really stood out to our judges.

Strong negotiations

The standard set this year was impressive. What set these finalists apart was their ability to think beyond the immediate deal and consider broader strategic implications. They approached each negotiation with a focus on sustainability of a deal, reputational impact, and future opportunities, mirroring the considerations faced by professionals in commercial environments. The result was a final that not only highlighted technical negotiation skills but also underscored the importance of commercial awareness in achieving meaningful and effective agreements. After a strong negotiation, Penny Joyce and Naysa Njoku were named the overall winners, securing our 2-week vacation scheme. Mia Mellegard and Maria Patalacci also put in an outstanding effort and finished as this year’s runners up.

A huge congratulations to everybody who took part and set a high bar for next year’s competition!

Reflections

These events are always a fantastic experience for all involved and last year’s event also showcased high level negotiation skills. Our vacation schemes are a great opportunity for those looking to start off their legal career.