Mock Trial

(First-instance trial of a contract processing dispute)

On the morning of April 4, 2026, at the Duy Tan University Auditorium, located at 120 Hoang Minh Thao Street, Da Nang, a successful mock trial was held. This was not only a professional practice session but also a concrete step in implementing the strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between KPK Law Firm, the TGAC International Commercial Arbitration Center - Da Nang Branch, and the Faculty of Law, School of Language & Social Sciences - Duy Tan University.

This collaboration demonstrates the consistent orientation in law education at Duy Tan University: "Learning goes hand in hand with practice." Accordingly, knowledge, attitude, and professional legal skills are inseparable but intertwined. This is not only equipped for students in the main curriculum but also through extracurricular activities such as "Mock Trials," a unique form of professional development in law education.

The mock trial was held in a familiar lecture hall, but the atmosphere was completely different from usual, because instead of dry lesson plans with definitions, there was a story about a processing contract, with agreements on responsibilities, rights, and benefits… The case began with a processing contract between a manufacturing unit and a trading company specializing in exports. The client demanded that the product meet strict technical standards, quantity, and delivery deadlines to meet export deadlines. The contractor, hoping for a life-changing opportunity, exported the goods. However, with many unforeseen events such as rising raw material prices, labor shortages, and machinery malfunctions, the delivery was not as promised. The exporting company had signed contracts with the shipping company, the buyer, and incurred various other costs, but due to insufficient goods to deliver, significant losses were incurred, leading to a claim for compensation.

The plaintiff – representing the company – immediately heated up the proceedings with a clear and decisive presentation, citing contract terms regarding deadlines, technical standards, delivery obligations, etc., along with legal grounds. They didn't raise their voices when discussing losses, the canceled export contract, or damaged reputation, but the figures and responsibilities weighed heavily on their case.

The defendant – represented by their lawyer – also acknowledged their best efforts, but numerous unforeseen circumstances led to the case reaching court. However, they argued that the compensation requested by the plaintiff was unreasonable and lacked sufficient evidence.

Under the direction of Attorney Le Thi Xuan Phuong, the presiding judge, who has served as a judge for many years, the court guided the parties in a thorough debate on key points such as the plaintiff's request for the defendant to reimburse 100 million VND in legal fees, and the defendant's failure to present evidence proving the transportation costs (such as contracts, receipts, invoices, etc.).

The trial unfolded with interwoven arguments between the plaintiff, the defendant, and their respective lawyers, along with in-depth legal analysis from the judge. Students observing the trial experienced a real courtroom, as each side had a real lawyer along with "student lawyers," and the judging panel consisted of lawyers, lecturers, and students.

The trial concluded with many valuable lessons for individuals and businesses in the marketplace. Participants in the mock trial understood that the law is a necessary standard for protecting fairness, but fairness does not come automatically; it must be achieved through the correct application of legal provisions and, especially, through the skills, attitude, and perspective of people in relation to legal regulations in a specific legal situation.

After the trial concluded, lawyers and experts shared their comments and interacted with the students.

Lawyer Ly Vinh Hoang – Head of the TGAC International Commercial Arbitration Center's Da Nang Branch – emphasized: “Integrating practical models such as mock trials into the training process is necessary, contributing to helping students develop legal thinking and adaptability to the demands of the profession.” According to him, this is also one of the effective ways to bridge the gap between training and practice. “Putting students at the center of the mock trial is the fastest way for them to mature.”

(Sharing from Arbitrator Ly Vinh Hoang at the mediation session)

Lawyer Le Thi Xuan Phuong – Deputy Director of KPK Law Firm, who directly supervised the team supporting students in their role as presiding judges in the trial, shared: “Each stage in the trial has strict requirements regarding form and content, demanding that those conducting the proceedings as well as those participating in the proceedings must have a thorough understanding of legal regulations and fulfill their roles correctly. Through today's practical activity, we hope that the students will better understand the procedural process in court, and at the same time cultivate the necessary demeanor and skills so that they can confidently participate in and practice in the future.”