SOFIA 2025

ELFA 2025 Conference in Sofia: Reflecting on 30 Years of Legal Education

The European Law Faculties Association (ELFA) marked a major milestone in 2025 with the celebration of its 30th Anniversary during the Annual General Meeting and Conference held from 23 to 25 April at the University of National and World Economy (UNWE) in Sofia, Bulgaria. Under the theme “Legal Education between Traditions and Modernities”, the conference brought together legal scholars, educators, and institutional representatives from across Europe and beyond to reflect on the evolution of legal education and explore its future in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

The event began on Wednesday evening with a warm and elegant welcome reception at the Panorama Restaurant “Pri Orlite,” offering guests spectacular views over Sofia and a convivial start to the days ahead. The official programme opened on Thursday morning with welcoming remarks from UNWE’s Rector Dimitar Dimitrov, Dean Miroslav Dimitrov, and ELFA President Jivko Draganov. A keynote address by Judge Diana Kovatcheva of the European Court of Human Rights set the tone, emphasizing the central role of human rights in contemporary legal education.

Over two days, participants engaged in five substantive panels that examined a wide range of issues on legal education, from all the perspectives involved: from the role of legal traditions and the impact of emerging technologies to the relationship between legal research and professional practice, the evolving expectations of students, and the influence of European integration and international cooperation. Speakers represented law faculties and institutions from countries including Spain, the United States, Bulgaria, Turkey, Kosovo, Georgia, Romania, and the United Kingdom, offering rich and diverse perspectives.

During the academic sessions, the conference celebrated the presentation of the ELFA Award by the former ELFA President and ELFA Award Coordinator Laurence W. Gormley, recognizing excellence in legal scholarship on EU Law. This was followed by an update on the European Journal of Legal Education (EJLE), highlighting its continued growth and relevance within the academic community. In the evening, participants had the opportunity to visit the National Museum of History in Sofia, an optional cultural excursion that enriched the conference experience. The day concluded with a festive gala dinner at Vodenitsata Restaurant in the Dragalevtsi district, where colleagues enjoyed traditional Bulgarian hospitality and strengthened academic and personal ties in an informal setting.

The Annual General Meeting, held on Friday, provided an opportunity for members to review the Association’s recent activities and approve its financial and strategic plans. The President’s report, the 2024 financial report, and the proposed budget for 2025 were each presented and approved unanimously. A Resolution synthesizing the themes and contributions of the conference panels was also adopted. In terms of governance, Gema Tomás Martínez was elected as the new President of ELFA, succeeding Jivko Draganov, who was warmly thanked for his leadership. Barbara Pozzo was elected First Vice-President, Lana Bubalo became Vice-President Secretary, and Ovidiu Ioan Dumitru (Romania) joined the ELFA Board as a new Vice-President. Finally, it was announced that the 2026 ELFA Annual General Meeting and Conference will take place in Bilbao, Spain, hosted by the University of Deusto Faculty of Law from 15 to 17 April 2026. The meeting concluded with a welcome to the new members who have joined the association.

Throughout the three days, the ELFA community not only engaged in thoughtful academic exchange but also celebrated its shared commitment to advancing legal education across Europe. The Association extended its deep appreciation to the UNWE for hosting an excellently organized event, and paid tribute to outgoing Board members, including Verónica Ruiz Abou-Nigm, for their dedicated service. The Sofia conference reaffirmed ELFA’s role as a dynamic forum for collaboration and innovation in legal academia.

The ELFA Board and the organizing team would also like to thank all those who attended and participated in this annual conference. We are very much looking forward to meeting you in Bilbao next year!