The Helga Pedersen Moot Court is a unique opportunity for students to acquire practical experience comparable to real pleading in front of the European Court of Human Rights. The challenge, which is organized by the European Law Students Association (ELSA), is structured as follows:

(1) Submission of two Written Submissions – one for the Applicant and one for the Respondent – based on the fictive case. The Written Submissions will be scored, and the scores count for the selection of Teams for the Final Round.

(2) Participation in the Regional Rounds. The Regional Rounds are mandatory and the scores of the Regional Rounds contribute towards identifying the teams qualifying for the Final Oral Round.

(3)  Participation in the Final Round based on the evaluation of their Written Submissions and Oral Pleadings in the Regional Rounds. The round is held yearly in Strasbourg with the pleadings taking place at the European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe.

Students enrolled in the seminar will work on the challenge in Lisbon, with periodic coaching sessions. Three students will then be selected to represent Católica Global School of Law at the Regional Rounds and, if they qualify, at the Final Round in Strasbourg.