Depending on the size of the class, students will have the opportunity to participate in one or more moot court competitions. In the framework of the Private air law course, students are asked to analyse a private air law case, either from the claimant’s (passenger) or from the defendant’s (airline) perspective, taking into account applicable private air law regimes and case law. They have to prepare oral pleadings and draw up written submissions, which will be argued before a special session of the District Court of Haarlem, a nearby court dealing with aviation cases. This internal competition takes place during the first semester, usually in November.
In the framework of the Space law and policy course, students may participate in the European Rounds of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition organised each year by the International Institute of Space Law (IISL). The European rounds take place somewhere in Europe, often Paris, around April, and the winners of this round represent Europe in the World Finals held during the International Astronautical Congress (IAC), which takes place in September/October, each year in a different location, e.g. in 2010 in Prague, in 2011 in Capetown, and in 2012 in Naples.
Coordinator
International Institute of Air and Space Law (IIASL)
Law School, Leiden University
Steenschuur 25, 2311 ES Leiden, Netherlands
Postal address: P.O. Box 9520, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands
Phone : +31 71 527 8081
Website: www.iiasl.aero
Contact: airandspace@law.leidenuniv.nl
Methods of instruction
Students prepare for these competitions as a team, and are supervised by a coach. Students must prepare written and oral submissions and carry out extensive research. Preparations are intensive and require an extra effort from the students, but the results are very rewarding as students radically improve their knowledge, their oral and written skills, as well as their team-working capacities.
Course materials
n.a.
Examination
Written: briefs/memorials (50% of final grade)
Oral pleading (50% of final grade)
Course requirements
Master degree in law