The session featured Prof Dr Pascal Pichonnaz (ELI President and Professor at the University of Fribourg), Prof Dr Sebastian Schütze (Rector of the University of Vienna) and The Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr, The Right Honourable the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill (Head of the Judiciary of England and Wales and President of the Courts of England and Wales).

In his opening remarks, Prof Dr Pascal Pichonnaz extended a warm welcome to participants and announced that this year’s conference had obtained ecological certification, a milestone that reflects ELI’s firm commitment to environmental and sustainability matters, one of its core strategic pillars. In partnership with ÖBB and Austrian Railways, the Institute also actively promoted sustainable travel to and from the event. Pichonnaz also highlighted the significance of the upcoming ELI Council elections, underlining their essential role in ensuring the continuity and impact of the Institute’s work.

Prof Dr Sebastian Schütze, Rector of the University of Vienna, reflected on the close and longstanding relationship between the University and ELI. Since its founding in 2011, the University has proudly hosted the ELI Secretariat.

He emphasised ELI’s contribution to initiating and facilitating legal research, supporting policy and decision-making, and fostering dialogue among Europe’s diverse legal traditions. In this context, he recalled Viviane Reding, then EU Justice Commissioner, who described the Institute’s founding as ‘an important milestone in building an EU-wide area of law, rights, and justice.’

The Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr referred to the ELI Annual Conference as a unique platform to address pressing legal and environmental challenges. She encouraged participants to take advantage of the opportunity to share perspectives, deepen legal understanding and strengthen cross-jurisdictional collaboration.

Today, ELI counts over 1,800 individual members and more than 180 institutional members, reflecting its growing influence and reach.