A team of UCL Laws students reached the final rounds of the Helga Pedersen Moot Court Competition 2026 in Strasbourg earlier this month, finishing sixth overall out of more than 60 teams from across Europe. It was the Faculty’s first-ever participation in the prestigious international human rights moot.
The team competed in a case examining whether the use of AI-generated evidence at trial is compatible with Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees the right to a fair trial. The novel legal problem required participants to engage with emerging questions at the intersection of human rights law and artificial intelligence.
The Helga Pedersen Moot Court Competition is one of Europe’s leading human rights mooting competitions. Organised annually by the European Law Students’ Association (ELSA) in cooperation with the Council of Europe, it simulates proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights and brings together law students from across Europe to test their legal research, written advocacy and oral pleading.
Competing in the Helga Pedersen Moot and making it all the way to the Final Oral Round in Strasbourg has been one of the most formative experiences of my LLM year. What I'll carry with me most is the privilege of working alongside a team that genuinely supported one another and made even the hardest moments feel worthwhile
Competition journey
The UCL team began its competition journey by preparing written pleadings over the Christmas period before competing in the Birmingham regional round in February. Regional rounds were held in Birmingham, Malta and Athens, with only the top 18 teams progressing to the international finals in Strasbourg.
After placing third in the Birmingham regional round, the team secured automatic qualification for the finals, which took place from 1 to 5 June. Competing against Europe’s strongest teams, UCL advanced through the preliminary rounds to reach the quarter-finals, placing them among the top eight teams in the competition before ultimately finishing sixth overall.
The team prepared extensively for the competition through practice sessions with members of the Faculty, working collaboratively on written submissions and discussions designed to anticipate the questions that might arise during oral pleadings.
Team captain Eleonora Keller Rodriguez reflected on what the experience meant to her:
‘Competing in the Helga Pedersen Moot and making it all the way to the Final Oral Round in Strasbourg has been one of the most formative experiences of my LLM year. What I’ll carry with me most is the privilege of working alongside a team that genuinely supported one another and made even the hardest moments feel worthwhile. I’m also deeply grateful to our coach, Olga, and to UCL, particularly the Centre for Dispute Resolution, for the guidance and support they provided at every stage of the competition.’
AI evidence and the right to a fair trial
The case centred on whether AI-generated evidence could be used consistently with the right to a fair trial under the European Convention on Human Rights. This novel case required the team to think creatively and to apply case law analogously.
The competition presented several challenges, including responding to detailed judicial questioning and adapting to an unfamiliar format.
‘This was the first time that UCL competed in this international moot, meaning that we were unfamiliar with the moot’s modalities. However, despite this, we employed our own unique styles, developed from what we had practised together, which led to great success,’ the team said.
I would strongly encourage any UCL Laws student considering mooting to get involved. Competitions such as the Helga Pedersen Moot provide an excellent opportunity to develop advocacy, research and legal writing skills in a practical setting. It was also a fantastic opportunity to work closely with my teammates and plead in the Palace of Europe before panels of distinguished human rights practitioners.
At the Palace of Europe
Among the highlights of the experience was the opportunity to present pleadings in the Palace of Europe before panels comprising human rights specialists, lawyers from the European Court of Human Rights, judges and academics.
The students also valued the opportunity to meet and learn from peers from universities across Europe.
‘Getting to meet teams from all across Europe in such an impressive setting allowed us to network and mix with peers who had similar legal interests to us,’ the team said.
While in Strasbourg, the team met Sandy Moss, UK Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, and Hugh Mercer KC, Judge in respect of the United Kingdom at the European Court of Human Rights. They also had the opportunity to explore the city, including the historic Petite France district and the area surrounding Strasbourg Cathedral.
Coach Olga Pleshkova praised the students’ achievement:
‘It was a pleasure and a privilege to be a coach of the UCL Laws team, which gave a really strong performance. This success is especially remarkable given that this is UCL’s first time participating in the competition. Many congratulations to the team, whose commitment, hard work and dedication throughout this year made this possible.’
The UCL team at the Helga Pedersen Moot Court Competition 2026
Students
- Eleonora Keller Rodriguez (LLM), Team Captain and Oralist
- Apolline Simmons (LLB), Oralist
- Ava Gibson (LLB), Oralist
- Victoria Acheson (LLM), Oralist
Coach
- Olga Pleshkova
With special thanks to the UCL Centre for Dispute Resolution, the UCL Law Society and members of the UCL Faculty of Laws who supported the team during preparation.
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