Young European Lawyers Contest Final 2026

The Final of the Young European Lawyers Contest 2026 will take place on Wednesday 7 October at the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Organised by the Academy of European Law, the contest brings together young and newly qualified lawyers from across Europe to strengthen their knowledge of EU law and learn how to apply it in their day-to-day practice. It is also an opportunity for participants to receive feedback from experienced practitioners and develop their advocacy skills.

Working in teams made up of contestants from different European countries, participants are challenged to apply EU law to practical role-play scenarios and work together across different legal cultures. The competition covers a range of areas, including digital law, data strategy, artificial intelligence, economic law, cross-border civil and commercial matters, and criminal justice. It involves a written report, oral defence, litigation training and a negotiation exercise.

The final will culminate in a moot court at the General Court, where the two leading teams will represent opposing parties based on a case study or topic. They will plead before a jury composed of Judges from the Court of Justice of the European Union and other legal professionals.

The moot court and the awards ceremony will be streamed live and can be followed on

For more information about the contest, including information on how to compete, visit the Young European Lawyers Contest website.