2nd European Human Rights Moot Court Competition In cooperation with
Human Rights Moot Court Competition
HRMCC •
A simulation of the European Court of Human Rights concerning the violation of the European Convention on Human Rights
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In cooperation with the Council of Europe
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European-wide competition
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The only European Moot Court Competition on Human Rights that is held in English
Human Rights Moot Court Competition
WHY? • To meet different interests of law students and provide them with new possibilities to develop their legal skills • To expand the cooperation with the CoE • More recognition for ELSA in the Human Rights field • Raising the awareness of Human Rights
Human Rights Moot Court Competition
The European Court of Human Rights •International court based in Strasbourg •As many judges as there are member states (Member countries: 47) •Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
Human Rights Moot Court Competition
AIMS •To encourage law students to develop their legal skills •To develop law students’ knowledge and to raise their awareness on Human Rights •To contribute to the on-going discussion regarding Human Rights
Human Rights Moot Court Competition
TIMELINE 1st of August
31st of October 15th of November February 2014
LAUNCH REGISTRATION WS DEADLINE DEADLINE
23rd -26th of
FINAL
Human Rights Moot Court Competition
Structure of the Competition 1) The competition will be open to all ELSA members and CoE member countries 2) The competition is divided into two principle rounds: ďƒ˜ Written Round ďƒ˜ Final Round (No Regional Rounds for now)
Human Rights Moot Court Competition
Written Round •
A selection round – selecting 16 teams for the Final Oral Round
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All teams shall submit Written Submissions for applicant and respondent. The total score of the Written Submission determines the teams ranking in the competition
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The Written Submissions shall be sent to ELSA International which then distributes the documents to the selected judges for evaluation
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No limit on how many teams can participate in the Written Round
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Each Written Submission will be assessed by two judges, individually and independently
Human Rights Moot Court Competition
Final Round – The European Final •
Held in Strasbourg with the pleadings in the European Court of Human Rights
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The 16 teams represent both applicant and respondent in oral preliminary pleadings
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Four teams qualify for the Semi-Finals, and the winners advance to the Grand Final
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The winners of the competition receive “The Council of Europe prize”: a traineeship at the European Court of Human Rights for one month!
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The participants of the Final in Strasbourg have to pay a participation fee
Human Rights Moot Court Competition
Teams •
A team must consist of 2 – 4 law students
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Three members of the team shall have the right to present oral arguments
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Only students who have not previously participated, can take part in the competition
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Only students can be team members, however, each team can have a Team Coach
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More than one team per university is allowed to participate, however, ELSA International is recommending one team per university, as the teams will represent their university in th Final
Human Rights Moot Court Competition
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Jury
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Human Rights law experts – judges from the ECHR
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Preliminary rounds – 3 judges
• Semi-Finals – 5 judges •
The Grand Final – 9 judges
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Judges appointed by ELSA International and selected with the support of the Council of Europe and the European Human Rights Association
Human Rights Moot Court Competition
The Case • • • •
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Every year a fictitious case will be created by human rights law specialists chosen by ELSA International The Case shall concern a violation of Human Rights according to the Convention of Human Rights The Case will be published when the competition is launched This years’ hypothetical case, «CASE OF ADAM v. EVRYLIA», is about a journalists’ right to freedom of expression against against claims of defamation and hate speech towards a professional football player The case is written by Ana-Maria Telbis and Lucja Miara from the European Human Rights Association
Human Rights Moot Court Competition
Organization of the Competition •ELSA has the overall responsibility of the organization of the competition •The Vice President for Moot Court Competitions (VPMCC), acting on behalf of ELSA International, is the Head of the Organization of the Human Rights Moot Court Competition •The VPMCC may appoint an International Organising Committee •CoE offers organizational support, academic support as well as assistance with the connections in the Strasbourg community
Human Rights Moot Court Competition
Questions?
Human Rights Moot Court Competition
Contact: Oda Linneberg Uggen Vice President for Moot Court Competitions
ELSA International 2013/2014 mootcourts@elsa.org Official website for the competition: www.humanrightsmootcourt.org