Introduction Seminars & Conferences, being one of the key areas, aims to give law students and young lawyers from different countries the opportunity to learn and discuss legal topics that are not usually included in the curricula of universities, thus contributing to a better legal, cultural and social education. By following ELSA’s Philosophy Statement we contribute to legal education and ensure that S&C events are carried out in a spirit of mutual understanding. Thus the aim of an S&C event shall be to provide students with a positive learning experience, interaction with a new social and cultural environment and prepare then for future responsibilities as members of the academic society. ELSA’s commitment to human rights shall be taken into account and imply awareness when organizing S&C events.

What is S&C? An S&C event is a seminar, a conference, a lecture, a panel discussion, a law school or a study visit.

-A seminar is an event, which consists of several lectures, about a legal topic or field of law. The topic is discussed in a plenary.

-A conference is an event that entails more individual participation and scientific contribution than a seminar. The topic(s) are/is discussed in workshops to finally be reported to a plenary.

-A lecture is a discourse within a certain area of law given by a professional speaker. The topic is discussed in a plenary.

-A panel discussion is an event when experts discuss issues of a specific legal topic in front of an audience.

-A law school is an event lasting for at least a week with a minimum of a 20 hours scientific programme. The scientific programme includes lectures followed by workshops, which deepen and emphasis different areas of the lecture.

-Study visits are the exchange of ELSA groups on international and national level. Study visits can be bilateral or multilateral. International study visits aim at mutual understanding and sharing cultural experience and might be combined with academic programme.

-Institutional study visits are visits to international governmental or non-governmental organisations, public administrations or private institutions.