Environmental, Energy and Infrastructure Law

Dear Students,

This year, the Universities of Greifswald and Münster are once again planning to participate jointly in the

Environmental Moot Court European Law (EMCEL)

and we warmly invite you to become part of our team.

No prior experience or prerequisites are required to participate. Everyone is welcome. To register, simply send an informal email to ls-schlackeuni-greifswaldde or david.plattneruni-greifswaldde by 31 January 2026.

The Environmental Moot Court European Law (EMCEL) offers you the opportunity to step out of the traditional student role for several weeks and engage intensively with an environmental law case from the perspective of a legal practitioner. In doing so, you will gain valuable practical and theoretical experience.

The EMCEL focuses on issues of European environmental law. In cooperation with universities from France, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, and other countries, participants work on a common case based on key European environmental law directives. Applying their respective national legal systems, each team prepares written submissions on behalf of one of the parties to the dispute.

The case is then argued in a simulated administrative court hearing before the Higher Administrative Court (OVG) Greifswald, held in a hybrid format (in person and online) before professors and legal practitioners. During the hearing, the legal issues raised by the case are discussed from the different parties' perspectives, and at the conclusion of the proceedings, the court delivers its judgment.

Following the national hearings, the decisions are compared with those of the teams from the other participating countries, and similarities and differences are discussed. In a third session, the findings are presented to representatives of the Directorate-General for Environment of the European Commission, which is responsible for monitoring the implementation of EU environmental legislation. This final event takes place either online or in person in Brussels.

One of the EMCEL's greatest strengths is its comparative and non-competitive approach, which emphasizes academic exchange and collaborative problem-solving rather than competition.

In addition to receiving a certificate of participation, students at the University of Greifswald will be awarded a certificate recognizing their successful completion of a course in interdisciplinary key qualifications pursuant to § 5(2) No. 3 JAPO-MV.

Schedule of the Environmental Moot Court European Law (EMCEL)

• 2 February 2026 (10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., online): Introductory meeting and distribution of the case.
• Until 31 March 2026: Preparation of the written submissions (statement of claim and statement of defence).
• 21 April 2026 (9:00 a.m.): Simulated court hearing (before professors and judges), including oral pleadings and judgment (online or, where possible, in person; conducted in German).
• From 28 April 2026: Comparative international session (online; conducted in English).
• May/June 2026: Presentation at the European Commission (online or in person).

If you have any questions regarding the case or its preparation, Mr. Kretschmer (f_kret02uni-muensterde) and Mr. Plattner (david.plattneruni-greifswaldde) will be happy to assist you. Please do not hesitate to ask questions or raise any concerns. As participation is entirely voluntary, we want the experience to be both educational and enjoyable—not frustrating.

We look forward to welcoming you to the team!

Kind regards,

Prof. Dr. Sabine Schlacke and Prof. Dr. Michael Sauthoff
University of Greifswald

Prof. Dr. Susan Grotefels
University of Münster