Leiden wins regional round of the Helga Pedersen Moot Court
Moot Court
Advanced LL.M. European and International Human Rights Law and LL.M. European Law students won one of three regional rounds of the Helga Pedersen Moot Court Competition in Athens, qualifying automatically for the final rounds at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
From the 6 to 8 of March 2026, Mazarine de Briey (European Law LL.M.), Aarushi Agarwal (Advanced LL.M. in European and International Human Rights Law LL.M.), Juliette Badrinath (European Law LL.M.) and Guillermo Arranz (Advanced LL.M. in European and International Human Rights Law LL.M) participated in one of three regional rounds of the Helga Pedersen Moot Court Competition in European Human Rights Law (HPMCC), hosted in Athens. This year’s moot problem revolved around the right to a fair trial under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, specifically the use of AI-generated evidence during criminal proceedings and the requisite procedural safeguards.
The team’s preparation consisted of both the drafting of the written submissions and the preparation for the oral pleadings, imitating the progression of a real case before the European Court of Human Rights. Being recognised as the best team in Athens not only allows them to qualify automatically for the final rounds, taking place at the Palace of Europe and the Court in Strasbourg in June, but also provides the students with the opportunity to draft and publish a joint paper on a topic related to this year’s problem.
The students were jointly coached by the Europa Institute’s Joseph Finnerty (Assistant Professor of European Human Rights Law) and Anna Puigderrajols (PhD Candidate in International Law).
The HPMCC is a renowned moot court competition, focusing on the European Convention on Human Rights. Leiden has an established tradition of participating in the HPMCC, with a great track record. Nevertheless, this year’s victory further consolidates Leiden as a leader in practice-oriented teaching (including mooting) in European (human rights) law.