Leiden reaches the semi-final in the Helga Pedersen Moot Court Competition
Advanced LL.M. European and International Human Rights Law and LL.M. European Law students are semi-finalists in the final round of the Helga Pedersen Moot Court Competition in Strasbourg, following their victory in the regional round in Athens.
From the 1 to the 5 of June 2026, Mazarine de Briey (European Law LL.M.), Aarushi Agarwal (Advanced LL.M. in European and International Human Rights Law), Juliette Badrinath (European Law LL.M.) and Guillermo Arranz Sánchez (Advanced LL.M. in European and International Human Rights Law) participated in the final round of the Helga Pedersen Moot Court Competition (HPMCC), the world’s largest English-speaking, human rights-focused moot court competition. The 14th edition of the HPMCC concerned the use of AI-generated evidence during criminal proceedings and the non-disclosure of key technical material, in light of the right to a fair trial under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
After their victory in the regional round in Athens in March, the team continued to sharpen their public speaking skills and refine their lines of argumentation. During the final rounds at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, they successfully advanced through the preliminary oral rounds and went on to win their quarter-final against the University College London. They were bested by the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in their semi-final round – the eventual winners of the competition.
The team was jointly coached by Joseph Finnerty (Assistant Professor of European Human Rights Law) and Anna Puigderrajols Triadó (PhD Candidate in International Law).
Leiden’s practice-oriented teaching and commitment to excellence in European (human rights) law through specialised LL. Ms, and moot courts are reflected in the preparation and performance of the four members of the team. In their own words:
‘The Helga Peterson Moot Court Competition was the achievement of my year. Beyond the opportunity to put into practice years of legal learning, it was building a case from start to finish that was unforgettable. From the discovery of the case all the way to the semi-final of the advanced rounds, nothing can prepare you to for such an experience. Yet, it is my teammates and the coaches that deserve the biggest note. The gratitude, respect and affection built along the way will be my strongest memory from this journey.’ – Mazarine de Briey.
‘This Moot Court has been one of the best experiences for me in Leiden. I have gained so much confidence and skills during this time that no other experience has provided me. I could not have done this without the help and support of an exceptional team and exceptional coaches, and I will be carrying this experience with me throughout my career and life’ – Aarushi Agarwal.
‘The team's advancement to the semi-finals is a testament to the success of Leiden's practice-oriented education and its commitment to human rights law. Beyond the competition itself, however, it is the months spent honing my research, drafting, and pleading skills that I will carry with me throughout my professional and academic career. I am beyond grateful to have worked alongside such talented teammates and to have been guided and supported by such dedicated coaches. Go Leiden!’ – Juliette Badrinath.
‘Participating in the HPMCC has been the highlight of my year at Leiden. It has allowed me not only to apply what I have learned during the master’s, but also to develop skills that I will carry with me throughout my professional life. But most importantly, it has given me the opportunity to work with exceptionally talented and hard-working teammates and learn from the most supportive coaches, to whom I am deeply grateful’ – Guillermo Arranz Sánchez.