Amsterdam Law Trials

Course

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/R_ALT

Course Objective

Introduction to the practice of litigation. Awareness of how solicitors and judges operate in litigation. Ability to analyse a factual case from a legal perspective and to translate this case into a well-considered legal point of view. Ability to plead in a court setting or to direct a court session. Ability to evaluate the interaction between solicitors and judges during court pleadings.

Course Content

The Amsterdam Law Trials is a Moot Court Competition between teams of talented students from VU and UvA and of law-track students from AUC and PPLE. The emphasis is on how solicitors and judges professionally approach a case and prepare a court session. In line with the faculty's Law in Action approach, students operate in teams of solicitors, coached by solicitors from leading Amsterdam law firms, or panels of judges, coached by judges from the Amsterdam District Court. The (civil) cases are pleaded in English according to contemporary Dutch law, but the litigation takes place according to international rules of moot court procedure. The best teams of each law track will perform a Mock Trial (finals) in a different case. The Mock Trial is a public event.

Teaching Methods

Moot court participation as solicitor or judge, written pleadings or case analysis. Participation in four faculty sessions (to prepare for pleading).

Method of Assessment

Moot court participation as solicitor or judge, written pleadings or case analysis.

Literature

Selected literature.

Target Audience

This element is part of the Honours Programme and aims particularly at participation of honours students, preferably at B3 level.

Custom Course Registration

Mail to: [email protected] or [email protected]

Additional Information

Vakcode:Periode: Period 4 + 5 + 6Credits: 3.0Voertaal: EnglishFaculteit: Faculty of LawDocent(en): Mr. drs. S.B. Jonasse and external coachesLesmethode(n): Moot CourtNiveau: 300
Academic year1/09/2531/08/26
Course level3.00 EC

Language of Tuition

  • English

Study type

  • Bachelor