DPMC-Final

by Elias Krall, Klaudia Kwiatkowska, Mariana Rissetto and Marie-Catherine Wagner

In December 2024, the 3rd Data Protection Moot Court (DPMC) concluded with great success – and we couldn’t be happier with the results! Once again, the competition attracted numerous students from universities across Europe and overseas. We were particularly delighted by the diversity of participants, which underscored the global interest in EU data protection law. This year’s case focused on realistic, everyday challenges of data protection law. In a classic ‘pay or okay’ scenario, the moot court participants had to explore the concepts of valid consent, legitimate interest and exercise of data subject rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).   

The aim was to equip participants not only with theoretical knowledge but also with practical argumentative skills. The DPMC began with a written phase, during which teams presented comprehensive analyses of the case and addressed all its legal aspects. They were divided into two groups: six teams represented the perspective of data subjects, while another six teams argued from the viewpoint of controllers. This structure allowed a balanced exploration of the case from different legal perspectives.

Following the submission of written pleadings, the competition moved into the oral phase. During the oral hearings, teams faced off against one another, defending their arguments before a jury of data protection experts. These sessions highlighted the participants’ thorough preparation and their ability to articulate persuasive arguments under pressure.

The highlight of the DPMCwas undoubtedly the final round, held on December 16, 2024. Based on their excellent scores achieved in the written and oral part of the DPMC,Team 8 from Tilburg University (Netherlands) and Team 11 from the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia) made it to the final round. Both teams delivered outstanding performances, making it a tough decision for the jury. In the end Team 11 from the University of Ljubljana, representing the data subject, emerged victorious, claiming the title of champions of the 3rd Data Protection Moot Court.

As the DPMC organising team, we extend our gratitude to all participants, coaches and jury members for their dedication and hard work! A special thanks also goes to our partners and sponsors, whose support made this competition possible. The moot court once again demonstrated the importance of preparing future legal professionals for practical challenges in data protection law. We are already looking forward to next year’s edition and are excited to see which issues will take center stage!