A KEIGHLEY undergraduate has been named the best mediator in the world in a prestigious law tournament.

Phoebe Dearden, who attends the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), won the title at the International Mediation Competition

The third year law student fought off tough opposition to scoop the Best Student Mediator award after spending two days competing against 100 students.

Phoebe, 21, was in one of 42 teams from universities in India, America and Poland, who trained for two days at the event before coming together to complete.

Former Holy Family School student Phoebe said she was in “genuine shock” when she heard her name being called.

She said: “I just wasn’t expecting it and I kept asking my friends if they were joking. I’ve never done anything like this before and I am really proud of myself to have won this award.”

During one of the rounds of the competition, Phoebe, in a team with six other students, was required to re-enact a role play scene from an employment dispute between employees.

As mediator, in front of a judge, she had to resolve the issue by taking into account both parties’ arguments to help them come to a conclusion.

Phoebe won her award for genuine compassion for both parties whilst keeping calm under pressure.

Alongside completing the final year of her degree, Phoebe also works at the Opportunities Centre in the UCLan Students’ Union (SU) and is chairman of the SU Council.

She said: “I’m quite busy juggling the final year of my degree, working in the SU and as chair of the SU Council, but I always have time for law.

“Mediation has been a big part of my university life and I really want to go down the legal route when I finish my studies and keep my mediation practice going.”

Other students from the University also enjoyed success at the International Mediation Competition, held in Glasgow, with the male team storming to the semi-finals.

UCLan senior law lecturer Emma McAndry attended the event, supporting and coaching the students.

She said: “I have known Phoebe for the duration of her LLB with Mediation degree and worked closely with her throughout. She has consistently shown passion and dedication to the subject.

“Phoebe was tirelessly committed to training and perfecting her craft, and this together with her natural talent, personality and charm secured her first place out of over 100 students from all over the world.

“This is a very well deserved achievement and I am incredibly proud of her.”

Last year, UCLan law student Josiah Raphael scooped Best Student Mediator at the competition, fighting off stiff global competition from over 150 fellow legal students.