Introduction Following the aims - set out in the Philosophy Statement - to contribute to legal education and to equip law students and young lawyers for a professional life in an international environment ELSA provides opportunities to learn about other cultures and legal systems in a spirit of critical dialogue and scientific cooperation and assists law students and young lawyers to be internationally minded and professionally skilled. ELSA’s commitment to human rights shall be taken into account and imply awareness when organising Academic Activities These policies constitute a comprehensive system ensuring quality in Academic Activities. They shall be used to facilitate operations within the activities of this key area and to guide the management of quality programmes and events on a local, national and international level. Therefore these policies present the basis of any activity within AA in ELSA. It is a primary role of ELSA International and the national ELSA groups to make the proper means available to implement these policies in order to ensure continuity and development in Academic Activities.

What is AA?

Academic Activities are structured into Legal Writing, Studies Abroad, Legal Research, Bridging Theory and Practice and Legal Explorations.

Academic Activities are ELSA Selected Papers on European Law (ELSA SPEL), Essay Competitions, Studies Abroad Events, the ELSA Guide to Legal Studies in Europe (ELSA GLSE), Legal Research Groups, the ELSA Law Web, Moot Court Competitions and Lawyers at Work Events (L@W Events).

SPEL

-ELSA SPEL - Selected Papers on European Law - is the law review of ELSA International and is published twice a year as a web journal on the website of ELSA International.

-Essay competitions aim at preparing law students and young lawyers for the specialised forms of written communication that are required within the legal profession.
An essay is a short exposition on a legal topic, usually a forum of presenting the writer’s personal point of view.

Studies Abroad

-Studies abroad events are informative events about different possibilities of studying abroad as well as reception activities for incoming foreign students.

Studies abroad events are informative events about different possibilities of studying abroad as well as reception activities for incoming foreign students.

-The ELSA GLSE - Guide to Legal Studies in Europe - is a detailed collection of relevant information about law studies at European universities.

Legal Research

-A legal research group is a group of law students and young lawyers carrying out a research on a specified topic of law with the aim to make their conclusions publicly accessible.

-The ELSA Law Web is a searchable collection of law-related links and is featured on the website of ELSA International.

Bridging Theory and Practice

-A moot court competition aims at actuating the academic knowledge acquired during law studies and at enriching it with presentation and public speaking skills.

In a moot court two pairs of students argue a fictitious legal case in front of a bench of judges. To win, one does not necessarily have to win the legal case, but must make the best presentation of legal arguments.

-Debating is a skill that teaches not only critical thinking, but also allows law students and young lawyers to engage with current affairs, improve their communication skills and hone their analytical abilities.

-L@W events aim at allowing law students and young lawyers an insight view into the legal profession.

L@W events are an opportunity for law students and young lawyers to receive career information from those working in various professions which are open to law graduates.