Study Trip to Luxembourg, 2016
The first day of seminars were conducted at the Academy of European Law (ERA). The day was divided into three seminars. Luca Prete presented the first seminar, which focused on the decentralized enforcement of Union law. Mr.Prete is Legal Secretary in the Chambers of A.G. Wahl in the Court of Justice. The second seminar on the centralized enforcement of Union law was presented by Felix Schatz, Legal Secretary at the Chambers of Judge Kreuschitz in the General Court. ZivaNendl, Legal Secretary at the Chambers of Judge Ilesic in the Court of Justice, presented the third and last session. Ms.Nendl discussed general principles governing the law of the Institutions. The speakers, mainly utilizing case-law, offered a wide range of insight regarding the Court's practices, as well as their own views according to their experiences. In addition, they identified challenges that the Court faces on a regular basis as well as potential changes to enhance facilitation of the judicial procedure.
The group spent the following two days at the European Court of Justice. Mr H. Cohen, trainee ofProtocol and Visits Directorate gave the group a briefing on the case RENV Parker Hannifin Manufacturing and Parker-Hannifin/ Commission (T-146/09). The hearing was lively and the Court procedure was even more informative for the students. The rest of the day was very inspiring for the group. The class enjoyed the privilege of meeting with Advocate General, Mr. M. Szpunar. The students had the chance to enrich their knowledge onthe work and role of an Advocate General in the functioning of the Court of Justice. Advocate General Szpunaroffered thoughts on future measures the EU might take to address the EU judiciary's increasing responsibilities. More importantly, he was more than glad to accept several questions from the students, which led to a fruitful and productive discussion. The groupalso met with Mrs. E. Von Bardeleben, Legal Secretary in the Chambers of Judge Gervasoni. She informed the class of recent changes in the functioning of the Court.Mrs. B. Patora, Administrator in the Library Directorate, gave a presentation regarding the Library of the Court, as well as a practical demonstration of the research possibilities offered by the classification scheme and the online catalogue of the Library. This presentation led to a guided tour of the Library and an hour of individual research for each student.
During the second day at the Court of Justice, the class attended the hearing for the case Verein fur Konsumenteninformation (C-127/15). The case was of exceptional interest and the procedure in front of the Court was an educational experience. The group had also the honor to meet with Mrs. E. Sharpston, the Advocate Generalfor the aforementioned case. The session was particularly fruitful and informative for the students who had the opportunity to discuss Mrs.Sharpston's unique approach as an Advocate General. Moreover, that day the group met with Mr. C. Oro Martinez, Administrator, Research and Documentation Directorate. Mr.Martinez explained the importance of translation for documentsthat reach the Court, in order to allow citizens of the Union to properly exercise their right of access to justice. Later on, students also had the opportunity to meet Judge Rosas, who shed light on the relationship between international law and European Law, which was again followed by a lively Q&A session. Lastly, Mrs. V. Tomljenovic, Judge at the General Court, presented on the highly anticipated structural changes of the General Court, as well as future plans regarding the judicial system of the Union as a whole.
Students left Luxembourg with unforgettable insights into thejudicial system of the European Union and with extremely valuable knowledge of EU law, gained through unique practical experience from our various speakers which complement the academic study of the LL.M. in Paris.