Belgian Negotiation Competition: a truly unique experience
Dear readers,
Over the past two years, ELSA Belgium has experienced a general lack of competitions in its activities. Indeed, due to the high number of Moot Court Competitions (MCCs) both within ELSA at the local level and outside of the association, organising MCCs at the national level has become increasingly challenging. In response, the idea of creating a Belgian Negotiation Competition (BNC) was conceived two years ago. This year, in collaboration with the AA Area, the national Belgian MCC team officially launched the first edition of the BNC.
Establishing the structure of the BNC
ELSA Belgium holds it close to its heart to establish the Belgian Negotiation Competition as a national Network event while ensuring that the Local Groups play an active role in the competition. For this reason, the BNC is structured across two levels:
The first level takes place locally, with Local Rounds organised respectively in Wallonia (during the first semester by ELSA Saint Louis, ELSA Brussels, ELSA Louvain-la-Neuve and ELSA Namur) and in Flanders (upcoming in the second semester at ELSA Antwerpen, ELSA Leuven, ELSA Gent, ELSA Brussel), each conducted in the Local Group’s respective language.
The second level is the National Final, which will be held in April in English at the prestigious Brussels law firm, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, a valued sponsor of ELSA Belgium.
Lastly, it was essential for ELSA Belgium to align the BNC with the ELSA Negotiation Competition (ENC), organised at the international level, while tailoring it to the Belgian Network. This approach highlights the importance of fostering a cohesive and unified network rather than focusing on individual efforts.
Preparation and collaboration: laying the foundation for the BNC
Launching this event also meant ensuring the competition was clearly understood by everyone who might host a first round at the local level. Additionally, we needed to use promotion and marketing to convince students, many of whom had never heard of such a competition in Belgium, that it was a valuable opportunity. To achieve this, we worked closely with Amina Bakhtaoui Van Deputte, the Vice President in charge of Academic Activities at ELSA Belgium, to draft new rules and establish the procedures for the Belgian Network.
We didn’t hesitate to seek help, both from the International Board (Aliéna Trefny, the Vice President in charge of Competitions) and from other National Boards. While the list of contributors is too long to mention here, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all of them for their invaluable support. Their input was instrumental in providing a general overview, verifying the feasibility of the Competition, and ensuring its ultimate success.
Lessons learned and the success of the first local rounds
The days of the Competition were highly instructive for us. While theoretical preparation was an essential part of our work, the real learning began once the event was underway, with participants and judges bringing the Competition to life. We encountered some unforeseen challenges, such as cases being too advanced, limited venue options, and managing time effectively. Fortunately, these minor issues did not hinder us, and the first Local Rounds were a success in each Wallonian Local Group where they were launched. This outcome gives us great confidence in the potential for future editions of the Belgian Negotiation Competition. We are already eagerly anticipating the next Local Rounds, the national final, and the continued development of future editions of the BNC.
Participant feedback: insights and experiences from the BNC
The professionalism demonstrated by the hosting local ELSA groups, combined with the involvement of esteemed judges from renowned law firms and Belgian universities, elevated the motivation and commitment of participants. It was far more than “just a student event”, it was a real M&A negotiation. In this regard, we conducted brief interviews with the participants to gather their feedback and impressions of the Competition:
Firstly, Mrs. M. Unlusoy (a final-year Master's student specialising in Social and Economic Law), who was part of the buyers' team in the ELSA Brussels Local Round:
“I discovered the Belgian Negotiation Competition (BNC) through Instagram, and although I initially didn’t fully understand what it was, I was ultimately impressed by its quality. By the end, I genuinely felt as though I had participated in a real negotiation, especially thanks to the involvement of the audience and the judges. Although the case was sometimes quite technical, the judges, who also acted as coaches for five minutes during the 45-minute preparation phase, provided helpful guidance. The competition was also very analytical, encouraging deep reflection on this area of law and its intricacies. Furthermore, it was highly valuable to gain a more practical perspective on theory and to challenge myself in front of judges who gave me really useful, concrete feedback. If I had the chance to do it again, I would, as it was an excellent experience.”
“I discovered this competition through a WhatsApp group where the local VP of ELSA Saint-Louis shared information about the BNC. Although I was initially sceptical because of the theoretical aspect, I ended up really enjoying it. At the start of the event, everything was explained very clearly, and even though the case was quite technical, the judges were extremely helpful within the prescribed time. In the end, I found it to be really enjoyable; it went beyond the theoretical framework. It was quite atypical with its corporate aspect, but it confirmed that I really enjoy what I am studying. The competition was a lot of fun, and I particularly appreciated the teamwork and negotiation with such kind participants. The feedback from the judges was also a great bonus, as they were very encouraging and helpful, even after the competition during the networking drinks.”
Acknowledgments and celebrating the inaugural edition of the BNC
Finally, we would like to express our sincere thanks, alongside the Vice Presidents in charge of Academic Activities of Belgium, to the local Academic Activities and Mout Court Competition Vice Presidents within the Belgian ELSA Network. Without their support, none of this would have been possible. Our collective teamwork enabled us to organise the first-ever national competition (other than a moot court) within ELSA Belgium, reminding us that ELSA events are, above all, the result of team effort and a collaborative network rather than individual achievements. Together with our National Board, we are immensely proud of the dedication and hard work demonstrated by our Local Groups. We aim to continue strengthening the sense of a unified Belgian Network, which is crucial to a larger international community. We look forward to completing our final Local Rounds and the grand finale, confidently affirming that we have successfully organised the inaugural edition of the Belgian Negotiation Competition.
by Théo Deswaef
