Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Faculty of Law - European Law School (ELS) — EULysses

Graduation of the class of 2021

Promotion Winston Churchill hosted by King's College London

Graduation of the class of 2020

Promotion Jürgen Habermas hosted by Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

In 2021, more than 30 students graduated from the partner universities of the European Law School network. To honour their achievement, the graduation ceremony took place on 16 July at the Centre Francais in Berlin.

In his opening speech, Professor Stefan Grundmann, President of the European Law School Network, emphasised the importance of personal exchange at the universities and social discourse in general. The concept of discourse is also behind the name of this cohort: Jürgen Habermas. For further reflections on this concept, the opening speech was followed by a lively panel discussion on "Universities and Discourse in the Pandemic".

Chaired by Professor Matthias Ruffert from Humboldt University, the panel included Professor Thierry Bonneau from Paris, Professor Elina Moustaira from Athens, and graduate students Philipp Uebis and Benedikt Voss (London). The discussion pointed out the challenges that online formats bring for teachers and students, but also the possible advantages of the newly gained flexibility.

Afterwards, Professor Matthias Ruffert gave a laudatory speech and Miriam Schuler gave an impassioned student speech. The graduates then received their certificates before moving to the outside terrace for a festive reception with their guests and the professors.

Graduation of the graduating class 2019

Promotion Ruth Bader Ginsburg hosted by the Universiteit van Amsterdam

Graduation of the class of 2017

Promotion Anne Frank hosted by Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

The graduation ceremony of the class of 2017 was celebrated together with the tenth anniversary of the European Law School on 8 December 2017 with a ceremony at the Bode Museum in Berlin followed by a dinner at the Faculty of Humanities of Humboldt-Universität with around 250 invited guests.

The graduates of 2017, their families and guests from politics, business and academia were welcomed by the President of Humboldt-Universität, Sabine Kunst, and the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Martin Eifert. The French Ambassador Anne Marie Descôtes and Sir Francis Geoffrey Jacobs, former Advocate General at the European Court of Justice and now academic teacher at King's College in London, underlined the special nature and necessity of a European legal education.

In addition to the graduation ceremony for the graduating class of 2017, the highlight was the keynote speech by former Bundestag President Norbert Lammert. He reflected on European integration, highlighted problems and challenges and encouraged the European lawyers to help shape the future of the European Union.

Programme

Graduation of the class of 2016

Promotion Caterina da Siena hosted by La Sapienza University in Rome

The graduation ceremony of the class of 2016 was hosted for the first time by La Sapienza University (Rome). The graduates were first greeted by the Vice-President of La Sapienza University, the Dean of the Faculty and the respective higher institutes of the University, as well as by Prof. Laura Moscati, representing the Roman partner university. Prof. Guido Alpa gave the keynote speech on "Definitions and Conceptions of contracts" and reflected on the definition and conception of the contract in history and in the different European legal systems.

Finally, Prof. Stefan Grundmann, in his function as President of the European Law School Network, resolved the suspense as to who would be the patron saint of this year's doctorate: It is Caterina da Siena - Roman, holy patron saint of Italy and since 1999 also holy patron saint of Europe. She stands for unity and diversity in Europe and for the fact that Europe must stand together in today's times. After a short excursion into the perspective of the graduates, the certificates were handed over to the newly graduated European Lawyers and finally they were invited to a small reception.

Programme

Graduation of the class of 2015

Promotion George Frideric Handel hosted by King's College London

The graduating class of 2015 was formally graduated on 19 January 2016 at King's College London. Traditionally, the graduating class, the "promotion" is named after a well-known historical figure.

For the sixth graduating class, Prof. Dr. Dr. Stefan Grundmann chose the German-British composer George Frideric Handel. Almost like the graduates, Handel was a European traveller in the truest sense of the word - after living, studying and working in Germany and Italy, he spent his twilight years in London.

The ceremony was opened by Professor John Phillips (King's College London), who introduced Prof. Sir Francis Jacobs as keynote speaker. Afterwards, Filippo Caliento, Edoardo Celeste, and Lauren Lederle, representing the graduates, reviewed their experiences of the past six years. Afterwards, King's College hosted a reception in the venerable Somerset House (home of the Law Faculty).

Programme

Graduation of the graduating class 2014

Promotion Hannah Arendt hosted by the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

The graduation of the fifth ELS class was combined with the opening ceremony of the doctoral programme "Unity and Difference in the European Legal Space" on 13 February 2015. The keynote speech was given by the French Ambassador to Germany. The Vice-President for Research at Humboldt-Universität and the Dean of the Faculty of Law spoke. The musical accompaniment was provided by students and alumni:ae of the ELS - thank you very much!

Graduation of the class of 2013

Promotion Heinrich Heine hosted by the Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas

In December 2013, the fourth cohort of the ELS was awarded the Diplôme "Juriste européen:ne" in Paris. The patron saint of this graduating class is the German author "Heinrich Heine", whom Marcel Reich-Ranicki has already honoured as a world poet and European in "The Heine Case".
After the very warm words of welcome from the President of the Université Panthéon-Assas, Prof. Guillaume Leyte, Prof. Armel Le Divellec opened the ceremony with a lecture on "Universités et Juristes européens à travers l'histoire".

Prof. Dr. Dr. Grundmann then drew a portrait of the poet Heine between Germany and France, followed by speeches by the two ELS Alumni:ae Charlotte Reichow and Camille Adao. At the subsequent convivial dinner hosted by the Alumni Association, current and former students of the European Law School had the opportunity to exchange ideas and meet each other again.

Graduation of the class of 2012

Promotion Aristotle hosted by the Humboldt University of Berlin

The graduation of the third class of the ELS took place in Berlin. The official part of the ceremony began in the Senate Hall with a speech by Prof. Dr. Dieter Grimm, retired judge at the Federal Constitutional Court. Afterwards, the celebration continued with a ball in the former dance hall of the Empress. Once again, professors and those responsible for the programme as well as students and alumni were invited.

Graduation of the class of 2011

Promotion Marie Curie hosted by the Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas

In 2011, the graduation of the second ELS cohort took place in Paris, in the former flat of the President of the Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas. In addition to the graduates from Paris and Berlin and their families, the students of the programme who were in Paris at the time and the programme managers of the individual universities were also present. The former president of the Université Panthéon Assas, Mrs. Dutheil de la Rochère, who initiated the programme, gave the keynote speech.

Graduation of the class of 2010

Promotion Michaelangelo hosted by Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

On 3 December 2010, the opening and first graduation ceremony of the European Law School took place at the Humboldt University of Berlin. In the presence of the patrons, the title "European Lawyer" was awarded for the first time. In the morning, an academic symposium took place on the topic of "Legal thinking in Europe", while the afternoon event focused on the graduation ceremony and the awarding of an honorary doctorate to Prof. Dr. Joseph H.H. Weiler.