The Helga Pedersen Moot Court Competition (HPMCC) is one of Europe’s largest and most prestigious human-rights mooting competitions, organised annually by the European Law Students’ Association (ELSA) in cooperation with the Council of Europe. The competition simulates proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights, requiring participating teams to analyse a complex hypothetical case based on the European Convention on Human Rights and to advocate for both applicant and respondent sides.
The competition is structured around written submissions followed by Regional Oral Rounds, where teams present their arguments before panels of judges composed of academics, practising lawyers, and human-rights professionals. The strongest teams from the regional rounds qualify for the Final Oral Round, which is traditionally held at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, offering participants a rare opportunity to plead in an authentic international judicial setting.
For the 14th edition of the Helga Pedersen Moot Court Competition (2025–2026), Birmingham will host one of the Regional Oral Rounds in February 2026. Over the course of the event, participating teams will take part in pleadings, an academic programme, and training sessions, alongside structured networking opportunities and a social programme. The event will conclude with a formal closing ceremony and dinner, bringing together competitors, judges, organisers, and guests.
The Birmingham Regional Round aims to provide a rigorous yet supportive environment that promotes advocacy skills, critical legal reasoning, and engagement with contemporary human-rights issues, while fostering international collaboration and professional development among Europe’s next generation of lawyers.