Polish law students qualify for the final round of the Human Rights Moot Court Competitionfor in Strasbourg

In the course of the competition, its participants simulate the lodging of an application  with  the European Court of Human Rights. Almost 120 teams  from the Council of Europe’s member states’ universities participated in the first round by sending in their written submissions. The final round - a Court hearing -  takes place  between  25 to 27 February 2013 in the Court's seat in Strasbourg.

During an official reception at the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, the pleading order for the final stage of the competition was drawn by lots. The official inauguration was attended by the finalists, including Polish students and organisers – representatives of ELSA and the Directorate of Communication of the Council of Europe, as well as representatives of the countries of origin of the finalists.

Ambassador Urszula Gacek, Poland’s Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, and Aleksandra Mężykowska, Polish Government Co-Agent before the European Court of Human Rights, sit on the Jury.

The competition’s main prize is a one month traineeship at the European Court of Human Rights that will be awarded during a ceremony attended by Thorbjørn Jagland, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

The Polish Representation to the Council of Europe and the Department for Proceedings before International Human Rights Protection Bodies of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs will also offer unpaid internships to the best finalists from Poland.