May 11-15, 2014, CLDP led Afghan University law students in a Contracts Drafting and Negotiation Competition, the final phase of a pilot Commercial Law Clinic Course held in cooperation with Kabul University. In the first two phases of the course, students attended an intensive lecture series on basic transactions and engaged in legal internships with law firms, companies, trade organizations, and the legal departments of ministries. Through the 3-month internships, students gained commercial law experience across a number of areas, including mining and energy, banking and finance, labor, tax, company and telecommunications law.

Utilizing the skills and knowledge they gained through the first two phases of the course, on May 11-15, students drafted provisions of sales, services, marketing, and licensing agreements for the Competition.  After two rounds of negotiations, CLDP and the University recognized the best negotiators and contract drafts.  Throughout the week, students also received instruction from local and international practitioners in resume writing, and discussed what it was like to be a “deal lawyer.”  

The course culminated in the compilation of an “Instructors’ Manual,” prepared by CLDP experts and Kabul University professors.  After the success of the pilot phase, Kabul University has elected to institutionalize the Commercial Law Clinic and will offer credits for the course, to start again in the fall. The institutionalization of the commercial law course will be an important factor in economic development and the support of small to medium-sized enterprise development in Afghanistan.