The 2025 Annual Conference and Meetings
The 2025 ELI Annual Conference and Meetings took take place from 22-24 September in Vienna (Austria).
The Conference featured an Ole Lando Memorial Lecture, several Welcome Addresses, Keynote Speeches, ELI Young Lawyers award as well as the ELI Hub and SIG of the Year awards. At its center were panels focusing on current ELI projects.
The event was marked by a line-up of truly compelling speakers whose interventions sparked reflection and debate. Among them were Sebastian Schütze (Rector of the University of Vienna), Sue Carr (Lady Chief Justice, The Right Honourable the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, Head of the Judiciary of England and Wales and the President of the Courts of England and Wales), Dame Jane Goodall DBE (renowned primatologist and United Nations Messenger of Peace), and Adil Najam (President of the World Wide Fund for Nature International), as well as Sirpa Rautio (Director of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights) and Andreas Wolter (Mayor of the City of Cologne and President of Climate Alliance).
Several Council of Europe affiliates also delivered insightful contributions, including Ivana Jelić (Vice-President, European Court of Human Rights), Síofra O’Leary (Former President, European Court of Human Rights, Hauser/Remarque Fellow NYU), Leonie Reynolds (President of the Consultative Council of European Judges) and Rafael Benitez (Director of Social Rights, Health and Environment of the Council of Europe).
We were further honoured by the participation of many senior members of the judiciary, including Donal Gerard O’Donnell (Chief Justice of Ireland), François Chaix (President, Swiss Supreme Court), Georg E Kodek (President, Austrian Supreme Court), Danguolė Bublienė (President, Supreme Court of Lithuania), and Margherita Cassano (Former First President, Italian Supreme Court).
In addition, over 20 ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, EU officials, and other leading figures attended the conference, underscoring ELI’s role as a vital hub for dialogue on pressing legal and societal challenges.
Reports (News Items):
- Welcome Address
- Forum on Conservation, Trade, and Industry for a Sustainable Future
- Panel on Enterprise Foundations in Europe
- Panel on Corporate Criminal Liability in the European Union
- Panel on ELI Climate Justice – New Challenges for Law and Judges
- Panel on Succession of Digital Assets, Data and Other Digital Remains
- Panel on Advance Choices for Future Disablement
- Seventh Ole Olando Memorial Lecture
- Forum on Conservation, Trade, and Industry for a Sustainable Future
- Keynote Panel on Fundamental Rights and the Environment
- Keynote Panel on Green Finance and Green Investment
- ELI Young Lawyers Award Presentation
- 2025 Hub and SIG of the Year Awards
The Conference was supported by:

The University of Vienna
Founded by Duke Rudolph IV in 1365 the University of Vienna is one of the oldest universities in the German-speaking world. With its long and rich history, the University of Vienna has developed into one of the largest universities in Europe, and also one of the most renowned. An extended Framework Partnership Agreement will see ELI receive further funding from 2023–2027.

European Union
Following the specific call for proposals aiming at establishing four-year framework partnership agreements with EU-level networks for 2022–2025 and Operating Grants for the respective years, ELI was selected for co-financing by the European Union. This year's Conference is supported under this scheme.

City of Vienna
The Vienna City Council sponsors certain public events in a bid to promote cultural diversity. ELI’s Annual Conference is one such sponsored event.

Interleges
Interleges is a well-established and closely linked alliance of independent law firms with offices across the countries of the European Union, Eastern Europe, Middle East and America. One of the first networks of its kind, Interleges was created in 1989, and now includes firms in over 20 countries as well as correspondents approved by Interleges in many other countries.

Jurcom GRC Services
JURCOM provides services as to the international regulatory compliance projects, risk consultancy, audit and training in data protection, finance, carbon emissions, OTT services, telecommunications, energy and medical technologies.

C.H.BECK
For some years now the German publishers C.H.BECK and NOMOS have joined forces with Oxford-based Hart Publishing to publish a series of legal books in English under the common brand 'Beck · Hart · Nomos'. The main focus of the joint programme are article-by-article commentaries on international and European law. This method of presentation suits the peculiarities of the largely codified European law and is increasingly appreciated by lawyers from common law countries as even there statutory law becomes more and more important. In addition to the commentaries, Beck · Hart · Nomos publish handbooks, monographs and textbooks.

ÖBB
ÖBB, the Austrian Federal Railways, is Austria’s leading mobility and logistics provider, operating a comprehensive network for passenger and freight transport. With a strong focus on sustainability, ÖBB runs its services on 100% renewable electricity and continues to invest in modern infrastructure and innovative, climate-friendly mobility solutions. As a key actor in European rail transport, ÖBB supports efficient, accessible and environmentally responsible travel across Austria and beyond.

Canapii
Canapii is a digital event management platform that provides tools for organising, delivering, and analysing in-person, hybrid, and virtual events. It supports registration, scheduling, engagement, and real-time data insights, helping organisations manage events efficiently. Canapii has partnered with ELI to support the seamless organisation and delivery of its conferences and meetings, enhancing participant experience and facilitating smooth event operations and the commitment to digitalization.

The Jane Goodall Institute
The Jane Goodall Institute is a global nonprofit organization founded by Dr Jane Goodall, dedicated to wildlife conservation, environmental education, and sustainable development. Through research, advocacy, and community-based programs, the Institute works to protect endangered species and promote environmental stewardship worldwide. The Institute worked in synergy with ELI through Dr. Jane Goodall’s participation in the ELI Annual Conference, where she shared a special video message emphasizing the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Lufthansa Group
Lufthansa Group, Germany’s flagship airline and a leading global aviation group, provides passenger and cargo services across Europe and worldwide. Recognized for its operational excellence, innovation, and commitment to sustainability, Lufthansa plays a key role in connecting people and ideas. The airline supports ELI by simplifying travel for conference participants, facilitating international collaboration and engagement within the legal community.

Nijhoff
Nijhoff, an imprint of Brill, is a renowned academic publisher in the fields of international, European and human rights law. With a strong commitment to high-quality scholarship, Nijhoff publishes authoritative works that support legal research and contribute to informed dialogue within the global legal community.

LUMI
LUMI is a leading platform for hybrid and virtual meetings, offering innovative tools to manage events, engage participants, and deliver seamless digital experiences. With features for registration, live streaming, and interactive sessions, LUMI supports organisations in hosting professional and impactful events. LUMI has assisted ELI in running its elections, ensuring a secure, efficient, transparent and accessible voting process for its members.

Reddy Charlton LLP
Reddy Charlton LLP, established in 1908, emphasises pragmatic solutions that consider all parties' interests, often thinking beyond conventional approaches. The firm places significant weight on its international practice, leveraging fluency in European languages and string relationships with overseas law firms and associate offices.

Newbridge Silverware
Newbridge Silverware, since 1934, Newbridge Silverware has been renowned for its dedication to designing and crafting high-quality jewelry, homeware and giftware, all produced in the picturesque setting of the Curragh Plains in Co. Kildare, Ireland.

OKO Event
OKO Event is a professional event management company specializing in the planning and execution of conferences, corporate events, and meetings. With expertise in logistics, on-site coordination, and participant experience, OKO Event ensures that every event runs smoothly and efficiently.

The Fifth Court
The Fifth Court is an award-winning Irish legal podcast hosted by barristers Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL, featuring weekly discussions on case law, legal reform, and interviews with leading judges, academics, and practitioners. Its partnership with the European Law Institute led to the 2025 launch of The Legal Community Speaks, a special series exploring the future of law, democracy, and legal integration across Europe.

