The European Law Students' Association is an international, independent, non-political, non-profit, non-governmental organisation run by and for law students. ELSA-activities comprise a large variety of academic and professional events that are organised to fulfill the stated vision of ELSA.
ELSA is organized into local member groups active at university level, national member groups active on a national level, and ELSA International active on an international level. Membership of ELSA for individual law students is possible through the Local Groups. The Local Groups are member of a National Group. The National Groups are part of the international ELSA network, which is managed by ELSA International with headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. ELSA International consists of the International Board, the ELSA International Team, and the Auditors of ELSA. The International Board is the supreme executive body of the association. Its members are elected at an International Council Meeting for a one-year period. The International Board's responsibilities include the overall co-ordination of the organisation as a whole including the support of member groups both locally and nationally. The International Board also co-ordinates and develops ELSA's collaboration with various international organisations and institutions, governments, law firms, and companies across Europe.
Institutional relations
ELSA has gained consultative status with several United Nations bodies. In 1994, ELSA was granted Consultative Status in Category C in UNESCO, and in 1997 ELSA obtained Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC. In addition UNCITRAL is inviting ELSA delegations to participate in their sessions. ELSA was part of the Diplomatic Conference of 1998 in Rome where the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court was adopted to establish the International Criminal Court. ELSA participated with a delegation as an NGO represented by an observer. In 2000, ELSA was granted Participatory Status with the Council of Europe. This cooperation was further widened with the signing of a Human Rights Partnership between Council of Europe and ELSA in 2008. Furthermore, ELSA has a co-operation agreement with UNHCR. In October 2005, ELSA obtained Observer Status with WIPO. Since 2002, ELSA organizes the John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition with the support of the WTO. The final round is held at the WTO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
