chevron-down Created with Sketch Beta.

    ABA Arbitration Competition

    Register today!

    All 2023 - 2024 Competition Registrations are now open! Register here!

    2023-2024 Information

    • 2023-2024 Topic: Product liability/Torts & Sports 
    • 2023-2024 Arbitration Regional Dates Nov. 3-5, 10-12, 17-19 (dates for each location are forthcoming)
      • Michigan State University School of Law & Stetson University College of Law Co-Hosting (In person)
      • Creighton University School of Law (In person)
      • University of Houston Law Center (In person)
      • Texas Southern University—Thurgood Marshall School of Law (In person)
      • Fordham University School of Law (Virtual)

    • 2023-2024 Regional Rules & Competition Host Guide

    2023-2024 Registration Information

    Regional competitions will be held in person and virtually. The 2024 National Competition will be held in person in Chicago on January 19-20, 2024.

    ABA Email Communication Notice

    Each team must choose a main contact. The team’s main contact will be the point of contact with the ABA. The team and the main contact understand that the main contact will receive all communication from the ABA regarding the competition(s), including Regional Assignments and the Problem. The ABA encourages teams to select a faculty member and/or team Coach who will be responsible for important details to the rest of the team. The main contact is responsible for sharing all communication with the team. The ABA is not responsible for missed emails. The ABA is also not responsible for ensuring that the main contact shares all communication with the team.

    2022-2023 Arbitration National Champions 

    Congratulations to the 2022-2023 Arbitration National Champions— South Texas College of Law Houston: Michael Davis, Jacob Manley, Elleana Poulis, and Brianne Boiarsky!  Full results»

    About the Arbitration Competition

    The ABA Law Student Division Arbitration Competition promotes greater knowledge in arbitration by simulating a realistic arbitration hearing. Participants prepare and present an arbitration case, including opening statements, witness examinations, exhibit introductions, evidentiary presentations, and summations. Experience what it is to be a professional, competent, and ethical advocate.

    Please contact Competitions with any questions.

    Competition Rules and Guidelines

    Competition Format & Team Composition

    A team consists of four JD candidates attending the same ABA-approved law school. Two students play the lawyers and two students play the witnesses for their side in each round. The lawyers and witnesses may change their roles from round to round but must keep their same roles in a round. Each team will compete in two rounds and the top four teams will advance to the semifinals. The first place team from each regional competition will advance to National Finals.

    Problems and Final Round Recordings

    Recent problems and final round recordings are also now available at no cost. These resources may be downloaded and shared within your school for educational purposes. Downloadable and viewing links can be found here.

    Past Winners & Finalists

    Regional Host School Rotation

    The Arbitration Competition depends on law schools to host the regional competitions. To create a fair rotation of this responsibility we have created the Host Rotation Schedule and assigned participating schools to upcoming years. Schools listed in the rotation schedule are not confirmed hosts.

    An updated Host Rotation Schedule will be available soon.

    Regional Assignments

    Each school will receive official notification of its regional assignment in early October. The Law Student Division will use its best efforts to assign each school to its first or second choice. For 2023-2024, regionals will be held in-person and virtually, the usual states assigned to each region will not apply. Preference will be given to teams based on geographic proximity and a shared time zone with their requested host school.

    If the number of teams registered for a particular region does not equal a multiple of four, the ABA Law Student Division reserves the right to move schools to a different region.