Here you can find questions to the most frequently asked questions about ELSA and its activities.

A one page fact sheet giving an overview of the association can be found here.
If your question is not answered on this page please contact ELSA International.

+ What does ELSA stand for?

ELSA stands for The European Law Students' Association.


+ Who takes decisions in ELSA?

The highest decision making body of ELSA is the International Council. The International Council represents the members of ELSA further represented by the National Boards.
Read more about ELSA's internal regulations here.

The Statutes and Standing Orders of ELSA can be downloaded here.


+ How do I join ELSA?

You can find information on how to join ELSA on this page.


+ When was ELSA founded?

ELSA was founded on May 4th 1981 in Vienna by students from Poland, Austria, Hungary and West Germany
You can find the full history of ELSA here.


+ In which countries does ELSA exist?

ELSA has members in the following countries:

Albania, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and The United Kingdom.

Find more information on ELSA's network here.


+ What are Academic Activities (AA)?

AA is the abbreviation for Academic Activities, which is one of the Key Areas of ELSA.

The activities of AA are:


+ What are Seminars & Conferences (S&C)?

S&C is the abbreviation for Seminars and Conferences, which is one of the Key Areas of ELSA.

The activities of S&C are:

Read more about Seminars and Conferences here.


+ What is the Student Trainee Exchange Programme (STEP)?

STEP is the abbreviation for Student Trainee Exchange Programme, which is one of the Key Areas of ELSA.

STEP makes it possible for law students and young lawyers to gain working experience abroad.
Read more about STEP and your possibilities here.


+ What is Synergy Magazine?

Synergy is ELSA's member magazine, published and printed twice a year in 10,000 copies and distributed throughout the network

Find more information on Synergy and read past editions here.


+ What is the ELSA Development Foundation (EDF)?

The ELSA Development Foundation (EDF) is a Foundation financed collectively by ELSA International and ELSA National Groups to help overcome structural weaknesses within the Network.

The purpose and modes of support of the Foundation can be found here.


+ Who are the patrons of ELSA?

ELSA has a marraine and a patron.

  • Marraine - The Deputy Secretary General of Council of Europe, Ms. Maud de Boer-Buquicchio
  • Patron - Professor Chang-fa Lo

Find more information on the marraine and patron here.