LAWIN presented an international conference for EU legal experts and invited them to join the European Law Excellence Centre

LAWIN, together with the Law Faculty of Vilnius University and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, presented an international conference on “The Post-Lisbon EU and the Challenges for Lithuania”. The conference, intended for European law specialists, was the first event organized by the LAWIN European Law Excellence Centre (ELEX).

At the conference, prominent EU legal experts discussed the development trends of the EU acquis over the last two years. The speakers included Eleanor V. Sharpston, Advocate General at the Court of Justice of the European Union, Prof. Vilenas Vadapalas, judge of the General Court of the European Union, representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Justice of the Republic of Lithuania and other speakers from Lithuania and the United Kingdom.

The conference, which took place on December 9, 2011 in the Small Assembly Hall of Vilnius University, addressed topical issues related to changes in EU decision-making procedures, focusing on: 1) the challenges facing Lithuania in its preparation for the EU Presidency; 2) an analysis of the input of Eastern European countries on the development of EU policies in the sphere of protection of human rights; 3) the tendencies of EU law application in Lithuanian courts; and 4) the impact of the Lisbon Treaty on the case law of the European Court of Justice.

Jaunius Gumbis, a LAWIN partner and the initiator of the idea of the European Law Excellence Centre, insists that such initiative is distinguished not only for its aspiration to implement EU law in business and legal practices, but also for the promotion of cooperation between EU law practitioners, public authorities and academics.

“As the EU acquis has penetrated all the spheres of business and public activities, each lawyer, aspiring to deliver high quality and innovative solutions, has to strive for excellence in the application of the acquis. The first international ELEX conference is inviting practitioners and theoreticians to share their best experiences in the development, implementation and application of EU law”, says Jaunius Gumbis.

For further information on ELEX, please download its brochure (PDF format).