The advanced Practical European Process course will start at Lund University in spring and, as usual, it kicked off with the annual meeting at Club Iuslund, the lawyers’ club responsible for the administration of the course, along with the university and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute. Sara Boklund has been Chair of the club for several years and also arranged the annual meeting at Lindahl’s Malmö office this year. Besides the board, students who had previously taken the course gathered in order to discuss matters such as the plans for the forthcoming course and social events during the course.
Sara Boklund is a lawyer and since 2014 she has worked at the Advokatfirman Lindahl office in Malmö, where she is a member of the teams specialising in dispute resolution, energy and the environment. In addition to her involvement as Chair of Club Iuslund, she gives lectures to students on the Practical European Process course and supervises them during the court competition included in the course.
Can you tell us a little about the Practical European Process course and the Club Iuslund lawyers’ club?
“I’m responsible for the advanced Practical European Process course, along with representatives from Lund University. The first part of the course is written and involves the students getting together to write a plea based on a fictitious legal case containing current legal issues for our times. The plea is given a score and then forms the basis for calculating the points in the second part of the course – the Nordic court competition on human rights. The students get an opportunity to plead against one another before judges from the highest courts in the Nordic countries and from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
“The course is held under the auspices of various bodies known as lawyers’ clubs, to which the participating teams are linked. I took the course myself and took part in the competition in 2007 and have been involved in various ways since then. I have been the Chair of Club Iuslund, to which the team from Lund University belongs, since 2020. Besides supervising the students before and during the court competition, I give them lectures on procedural law and writing and negotiation techniques during the course.”
What led you to become involved in this in addition to your work as a business lawyer?
“I’ve always been passionate about inspiring others, which is why I chose to get involved in teaching students and as a lecturer for the Fakultetsambassadörerna association while I was still a student. When I was asked whether I wanted to continue being involved at the university as a lecturer on the Practical European Process course after my degree, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. It was the same when I was asked if I wanted to take on the job as Chair of Club Iuslund – it’s a real honorary assignment. I feel strongly about human rights and want to do everything I can to strengthen students’ commitment and provide them with greater expertise in this area.
What is the process for admission to the course?
“The course is held every spring term, once a year. Students who are eligible to apply for advanced courses can apply, but there are only places for six students. That means that in December each year, I and representatives from Lund University and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute hold interviews with the students who have applied for the course. Based on an overall assessment, we then choose the six who will represent the university in the upcoming court competition.
What can the students admitted to this year’s course expect?
"A real challenge and, in my opinion, the most enjoyable advanced course offered at the university! The course not only gives the students an insight into work as a legal representative and an opportunity to develop their analytical skills, but also the chance to make valuable contacts for the future. Besides the competition, the programme includes social activities in the form of excursions, receptions and a banquet.
How do you feel about the 2024 edition?
“Very good! I’ve initiated a number of amendments to the statutes that we’ll implement over the year in order to facilitate the work of the board and the other formal work surrounding the course. I think that this year’s group of students are very excited about the competition and ready to go all in. Now I’m looking forward to the start of the course!
Quick facts
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What is the Practical European Process course?
Practical European Process is an advanced course for law students at Lund University in which students write a plea in a case based on a fictitious legal case, followed by participation in the Nordic court competition on human rights.
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What is the Nordic court competition on human rights?
The Nordic court competition on human rights is an annual court competition for Nordic law students. Every year, around 80 law students compete in teams from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. The finals weekend is held in June in the capital of one of the Nordic countries, according to a rolling schedule. The 2024 court competition will take place on 6–9 June in Stockholm.
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What is Club Iuslund?
Club Iuslund is what is referred to as a lawyers’ club that is linked to the Practical European Process course to which the students competing for Lund University belong. Sara Boklund has been Chair of the club since 2020 and, along with representatives from Lund University and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, supervises the students before the court competition.
