University of Bergen Triumphs at 2025-26 EEA Law Moot Court​

Following a thrilling final round in Reykjavík on Sunday, two outstanding teams from the University of Bergen faced each other in the finals. After an impressive performance by both sides, one team ultimately emerged victorious in the 2025-26 EEA Law Moot Court Competition.

ESA organised the competition, bringing together 20 student teams from Icelandic and Norwegian universities. The event took place at the Supreme Court of Iceland and the District Court of Reykjavík, where participants enjoyed the unique opportunity to present arguments in a real courtroom setting.

The competition began with opening sessions on Saturday, where teams laid out their arguments before judging panels. As the event progressed, the strongest teams advanced to the semi-finals and final round on Sunday, where the winning team was ultimately selected. The judges awarded first place to Christian Aleksander Espeseth, Felix Håkonsen Nessøe , Håvar Espe, Olav Flatøy Hegdahl and Ida Rygg Olsen.

Winning team member Håvar Espe reflected: "The moot court was an intense but incredibly fun experience. Preparing the case made for a steep but rewarding learning curve in a short time. The competition really tested our ability to work as a team, adapt our arguments, and respond to questions from the bench on the spot. It was also fascinating to gain a deeper understanding of how proceedings before the EFTA Court work."

The Moot Court panel of judges was headed by EFTA Court President Páll Hreinsson as the Moot Court President in the final round.

Felix Håkonsen Nessøe , another member of the winning team, shared: "The Moot Court was a very rewarding experience and a learning opportunity I would not have wanted to miss. This year's topic was competition law, an area none of us on the team had previously studied. Learning the subject through the competition was particularly effective, as the time pressure required us to be as well prepared as possible.

It was also very interesting to gain a deeper understanding of how proceedings before the EFTA Court work. ESA did an excellent job of making the experience feel realistic and of making the entire weekend enjoyable - also outside the "courtroom".

As winners of the competition, the team will be invited on a study visit to Brussels and Luxembourg, including visits to ESA, the EFTA Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union.

The EEA Law Moot Court is organised annually by ESA as part of its outreach activities to promote knowledge and understanding of EEA law among students across the European Economic Area.

firms Lex, Logos and Réttur . The EFTA Court and European Commission sent representatives to judge in the competition and several Icelandic lawyers volunteered as judges, including members of the Icelandic Competition Authority and the Icelandic Foreign Ministry.

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