July 16, 2026 | 12:43
Young legal professionals visit German universities and justice institutions to explore international practice
A study visit to Germany was organized for young Armenian legal professionals within the framework of cooperation between the YSU Faculty of Law and the German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation (IRZ). The participants learned about the operation of Germany's justice system, visited leading universities, research and justice institutions, and took part in professional meetings and discussions.
Expanding professional knowledge and international experience
The delegation comprised young legal professionals who had participated in moot court competitions held in cooperation between the YSU Faculty of Law and IRZ. They represented Yerevan State University, the French University in Armenia, Shirak State University and Vanadzor State University.
The program aimed to provide participants with an opportunity to gain knowledge of the operation of Germany's justice system, justice institutions and research institutions, broaden their professional knowledge and international experience, and develop comparative perspectives on the field.
As part of the program, the participants visited Düsseldorf Regional Court, where Presiding Judge Dr Vera Drees delivered a lecture. At the Ministry of Justice of North Rhine-Westphalia, they learned about the particular features of higher legal education in Germany. Senior Adviser Dr Christian Reitemeier and Adviser Stephan Hackert delivered presentations on the subject.
The participants also visited the Düsseldorf Public Prosecutor's Office, where Prosecutor Radbod Rad presented the structure and functions of Germany's public prosecution service. During their visit to Düsseldorf Police, they learned about the organizational features of police work.
Exploring German practice in justice institutions
The study visit program also included meetings at the Higher Regional Court of Cologne, where the participants were received and addressed by Vice-President Susanne Wernerus and Presiding Judge Miriam Müller.
During their visit to the Cologne Public Prosecutor General's Office, the participants attended a presentation by Ulrich Klose, Chair of the Prosecutors' Council. Meetings were also organized at Cologne Regional Court, Rheinbach Prison and the Heidelberg branch of the Baden-Württemberg Probation and Court Assistance Service.
Exploring academia and reinforcing theoretical knowledge through practice
Meetings in the academic field were another important component of the program. The participants visited the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law (MPI), where Dr Matthias Hartwig delivered a lecture, as well as the Faculty of Law at Heidelberg University, where they were received and addressed by the faculty's dean, Professor Dr Andreas Piekenbrock.
The delegation was also hosted at the headquarters of the German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation. During the meeting, the participants spoke with IRZ Director Dr Stefan Hülshörster and other representatives of the foundation. Professor Dr Bijan Nowrousian presented the structural and operational features of universities of applied sciences.
A vision of continued cooperation
According to the participants, study programs of this kind contribute to the development of young legal professionals' professional competencies, the practical reinforcement of theoretical knowledge, the study of international experience and the expansion of international professional cooperation.
The program coordinators stated that the cooperation established between the YSU Faculty of Law and the German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation would continue, contributing to improvements in the quality of legal education, the exchange of international experience and the professional development of young legal professionals.
