Admission requirements
Admission to the Masters programme (European Law specialisation).
Description
Students will be introduced to the practical side of EU law both from a procedural as well as a substantive point of view. Students will solve cases and act in groups as applicant, defendant, and, if possible, advocate general, and/or judge of the Court of Justice of the European Union. They will work on a series of moot courts in the fields of internal market law and/or competition law. In their teams, students will research, analyze and apply EU law. Students will be required to prepare written submissions to the Court of Justice on a variety of issues. Furthermore, they will be asked to present their case orally and will thereby practice their pleading skills in a courtroom situation.
Course objectives
Objectives of the course
The course seeks to provide students with the opportunity to explore their talents as practicing lawyers and to apply their knowledge of EU law in real-life scenarios and cases. Firstly, the course focuses on the development of advocacy skills. It also offers students valuable insights into the practical work as part of a litigation team, under time pressure while solving and arguing legal problems before a court. Secondly, the course focuses on the application and deepening of knowledge of different areas of EU law, requiring the students to craft and defend sophisticated legal arguments.
Learning objectives
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
The course will kick off with one or two lectures, which offer a general introduction to the course (explaining the rules of the moot courts that will follow) as well as instructions on how to prepare and present written or oral arguments in court.
Research areas and topics of EU law;
Critically read, analyse, and apply EU law, case law from the European Courts and legal doctrine to complex cases;
Write, defend and present legal papers before their peers;
Develop and defend a legal argument in oral and written form;
Conduct legal research and find appropriate legal resources providing authority to a legal argument.
Timetable
Will be announced later on Brightspace.
Mode of instruction
Lectures
The course will kick off with one or two lectures, which offer a general introduction to the course (explaining the rules of the moot courts that will follow) as well as instructions on how to prepare and present written or oral arguments in court.
Other methods of instruction
Description: “Court sessions” (total number t.b.d.)
The heart of the practicum consists of 6 to 8 weekly court sessions, where the students, in small groups (litigation teams), will give oral presentations of their views in a simulated preliminary ruling procedure before the Court of Justice of the European Union. Each group will act in turn as applicant, defendant, European Commission representative, Advocate-General and/or the Court. In preparation of the court sessions, each group will produce and file written submissions. The students will have to conduct individual research when preparing both their written submissions and oral pleadings.
Each submission will be carefully read and graded. General remarks about the papers will be made in class; individual papers may be discussed further with the authors when necessary. The oral presentations will be followed by plenary discussion in class; individual feedback will be provided.
Assessment method
Examination form(s)
The final grade for this Practicum is based upon the following marks:
1. A group mark for the written submissions. These written submissions will count for 50% towards the final grade.
2. An individual mark for each oral pleading in class. The average score of all presentations (at least 2) will count for 50% towards the final grade. Pleading includes answering questions.
Not being present or insufficient participation during class will result in reductions of the mark or for the individual concerned.
In case deadlines are not met, this will also lead to a significant reduction of the group mark. Remember, this course depends on the timely availability of written submissions. We cannot tolerate delays given the set-up of this course. Other people will depend on your work.
If the individual average for the course is below 6, you will get the opportunity to write a paper on one of the issues dealt with in the course.
Submission procedures
The written submissions must be handed in electronically as indicated in the course manual. The oral presentations will be given and discussed in class (during the court sessions).
Reading list
Obligatory course materials
- To be determined at a later stage. Finding legal materials as basis for pleading is a learning objective of the course in itself.
Course information guide:
Course information will be available on Brightspace.
Cases will be made available on Brightspace the day the period for dealing with the case starts.
Recommended course materials
To be determined at a later stage.
Registration
Check the website under “course and exam enrollment” for information on how to register for the course.
Contact information
Coordinator: Dr. Ben Van Rompuy
Work address: Steenschuur 25, room C1.20
Contact information: via secretariat; see below
Telephone number: 071 – 527 1344
E-mail: b.van.rompuy@law.leidenuniv.nl
Institution/division
Institute: Public Law
Division: European law
Room number secretariat: KOG B1.11
Opening hours: Mon – Fri, 9.00 – 17.00
Telephone number secretariat: 071 – 527 7416
E-mail: europeesrecht@law.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
In case of (corona)restrictions imposed by the government, this course description is subject to change.