A team of students from the Faculty of Law at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Law UGM) has achieved a historic international milestone, delivering Indonesia’s best-ever performance at the 2026 International Bar Association–Vienna International Arbitral Centre Consensual Dispute Resolution Competition (IBA-VIAC CDRC).
The UGM delegation advanced to the semifinals and won a bronze medal at the competition, which was held in Vienna, Austria, from July 2–7. Organized by the International Bar Association (IBA) and the Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC), the competition brought together approximately 390 participants representing 63 teams from 25 countries and is regarded as one of the world’s leading alternative dispute resolution (ADR) moot competitions.
The Law UGM delegation comprised Class of 2023 students Cindy Irthania and Rifada Khalida Chaerunie; Class of 2024 students Krishna Rajendra Gunawan, Nindita Putri Nirwasita, and Viansya Allegra Monisyaf; and Class of 2025 team managers Indira Niza Harllyn and Nuur Raudhah Tahliyatusyifa.
Rajendra said the achievement was a source of pride for the team, which had the opportunity to represent UGM and Indonesia on the international stage.
“We are incredibly proud to bring home Indonesia’s first medal and the country’s highest achievement in the history of the IBA-VIAC CDRC Moot,” Rajendra said on Monday (July 27).
For Rajendra, the competition also provided an invaluable international experience.
“Personally, standing on the same stage and competing against students from some of the world’s leading universities, such as the University of New South Wales in Australia and the National University of Singapore, was an extraordinary honor,” he said.
The IBA-VIAC CDRC Moot is an international mediation competition that uses a case adapted from the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot. Unlike the Vis Moot, which focuses on arbitration, the CDRC Moot challenges participants to resolve disputes through mediation, emphasizing the interests of the parties, effective communication, and collaborative problem-solving.
This year’s case centered on a failed contract involving rare vanilla orchids following changes to international regulations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The regulatory changes raised the question of which party should bear the financial losses resulting from the canceled transaction.
“Participants were required to understand international trade law while developing creative solutions that accommodated the interests of both parties,” Rajendra explained.
The team began preparing for the competition in December 2025 and underwent more than seven months of intensive training. Their preparation included regular case analysis, weekly sparring sessions, and continuous refinement of their mediation strategies.
The process presented numerous challenges, including physical and mental exhaustion, differences in strategic approaches, and changing team dynamics as each member balanced competition preparation with academic responsibilities.
“Even after arriving in Vienna, one of our team members experienced health issues,” Rajendra said.
As the competition drew closer, the team intensified its preparation through external sparring sessions with other universities. These sessions allowed the students to broaden their perspectives and strengthen their ability to respond to different mediation styles.
After advancing through several highly competitive rounds, the Law UGM team reached the semifinals, marking the best result ever achieved by both UGM and Indonesia in the competition’s history.
In the semifinal, the UGM delegation faced the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia, which ultimately won the competition. The mediation session was led by a mediator from the National University of Singapore (NUS), adding another layer of challenge to the semifinal round.
“This achievement is the result of the dedication, teamwork, and commitment demonstrated by every team member over many months,” Rajendra said.
Beyond strengthening their legal analysis, the competition provided the students with opportunities to develop essential skills in communication, negotiation, dispute resolution, and cross-cultural collaboration. These competencies are increasingly important for future legal professionals working in a global environment.
This achievement demonstrates Law UGM students’ ability to compete and excel on the international stage while contributing to Indonesia’s growing presence in the field of alternative dispute resolution.
The IBA-VIAC CDRC Moot is held annually in Vienna, Austria, by the IBA in collaboration with VIAC. The competition occupies a unique position in the international legal competition landscape because it uses the same case as the Vis Moot, one of the world’s largest international commercial law competitions, which is also held annually in Vienna.
All competition sessions took place at the Faculty of Law of the University of Vienna. The closing ceremony and final reception were held at Vienna City Hall, one of the Austrian capital’s historic landmarks.
Author: Jelita Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-Editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photo: Team Documentation