The third edition of Comparative Law in Action Challenge is here

Comparative Law in Action aims to promote positive change through education. The competition brings together law school students from Tilburg University, Maastricht University, Bocconi University, SciencesPo, University of Edinburgh, FGV Direito Rio, Bucerius Law School ,Universidade Católica Portuguesa e IE Law School to work on a multimedia case that combines the power of technology and comparative law.

Over the course of several weeks, participants will study and analyze how law and policy adapt to new dynamics created by technology. In doing so, they will apply the same comparative mindset used by the most advanced legal teams to find an innovative and comprehensive solution to the complex legal situation presented by the case.

Comparative Law in Action is the first competition of its kind and each edition is unique. In this third edition, the student teams are faced with a scenario where they have to consider the corporate social responsibility of a multinational technology company.

“This group of nine selected universities share the same way of understanding legal education. We believe that our students must develop an innovative and flexible mindset in order to come up with better legal solutions in a fast-changing world.”
Eugenia Castrillón, Vice Dean of Programmes at IE Law School

Johanna Jacobsson, professor at IE Law School, during the kick off event

Then, Johanna Jacobsson, professor at IE Law School, projected the case: a multinational company called “Empathy Inc” develops ‘Aurora’, an artificial intelligence software that allows its users to employ a very sophisticated surveillance technique to study the emotions of their objects. The multinational becomes the subject of controversy when it is revealed that the software has been used to oppress members of the political opposition in the fictional state of Ballica.

The students will need to analyze issues relating to the application of international human rights standards to global business and their supply chains, relations between states and multinational companies, as well as litigation techniques to hold corporations responsible for violations of individual rights. They have a double role to advise both the company as well as a human rights NGO.

On 21 April, the teams will meet at an event at the IE Tower, where they will present their findings to a jury that will select the finalists.