Comparative Law In Action | IE University

Comparative Law in action

The first university competition that brings together Comparative Law, Technology and Policy

About

The unprecedented speed of disruptive technologies is leaving a host of regulatory challenges in its wake. Across the globe, companies and nations are scrambling to catch up, creating regulatory frameworks that facilitate innovation—while still protecting citizens and upholding the rule of law. It’s a daunting challenge and one that requires innovative legal minds who are capable of shaping our shared future.

Comparative Law in Action is the first competition of its kind, created by IE Law School to foster positive change through education by bringing together students from top law schools. 

The competition challenges them to work on an interactive multimedia case in a largely virtual environment, where they must reflect the methods of tomorrow's legal teams and apply a comparative legal mindset to reach innovative and all-encompassing solutions

Participants will study and analyze how law and policy adapt to new dynamics created by technology, while also leveraging its power to present solutions to legal challenges. 

Four people standing on a stage, decorated with orange balloons and lights, appearing to be engaged in a presentation
Play

Comparative law in action

Through a practical and immersive real-world multimedia experience, students will learn how a comparative law approach can create innovative solutions to today’s pressing global issues.

Play
Comparative Law in Action Challenge - IE University

EDITIONS

An advertisement banner reading 'The Next Frontier Comparative Law in Outer Space' announcing a new multimedia case by IE University.
Play

2024: The Next Frontier: Comparative Law in Outer Space

The Next Frontier: Comparative Law in Outer Space is a fictional futuristic case set in the year 2031 focusing on space mining activities. Space activities are regulated through international, regional, and domestic laws. These regulations were adopted when space activities were predominantly conducted by State actors and are thus challenged by the privatization of space activities through the development of the ‘New Space’.

The participants are invited to assess and navigate these different legal frameworks and how they apply to several incidents. This case features two main actors – Isidro Space and Zephyr Aerospace – which are involved in a series of incidents, which are articulated in two crises. The participants are expected to submit a memorandum for each of them, acting as their legal advisors, and providing them with legal and policy advice on how to address the unfolding situation and its consequences.

Empathy Inc. Scandal - Comparative Law in Action | IE University
Play

2023: EMPATHY INC

In the third edition of the Comparative Law in Action competition the student teams are faced with a scenario where they have to consider the corporate social responsibility of a multinational technology company. They are presented with ‘Aurora’, an artificial intelligence software that allows its users to employ a very sophisticated surveillance technique to study the emotions of their objects. The developer of Aurora, a multinational company called ‘Empathy Inc’, becomes the subject of controversy when it is revealed that the software has been used to oppress members of the political opposition in the 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. This technique encourages them to come up with as complete arguments as possible and prepares them for the multitude of roles that the legal profession offers.

LoveNow | Ie University
Play

2022: LOVENOW

The story revolves around a fictional, international social media company, “LoveNow,” that acts as a matchmaker for its users through a digital app.

Students will be asked to consult for the social media company, which faces a series of legal challenges, both informal and more formal, from users of the app and third parties. In fact, students will act as external legal consultants to the company, analyzing a rich variety of information alongside the application’s terms and conditions, and privacy and security policies.

They will have to consider users’ rights under GDPR legislation and other international laws regarding cybercrime, as well as topics such as privacy, impersonation, identity theft, publicity rights, cyberbullying, defamation, and the right to be forgotten. Students will also need to consider the snowball effect of an online publicity scandal, the real emotional harm that social media can cause individuals, and comparative/cross-jurisdictional elements.

Play

2021: LALALAND

Lalaland: A multimedia case study on electoral law

Lalaland is immersed in chaos and despair. Is change the only solution?

 The first Comparative Law in Action Competition 2021 deals with social unrest in the fictional country Lalaland. Throughout this case, you will have to confront questions and issues related to the electoral system. Along the way, other challenges will arise, including the use of technology in ensuring accurate electoral results, as well as the regulation of disinformation.

Lalanders require exceptional leaders to guide them out of this turmoil. Do you have what it takes?


LEARNING BY DOING

Dean Soledad Atienza explains how the Comparative Law in Action challenge takes education to whole new level, as students are exposed to a challenging and innovative methodology and are required to put into practice rigorous legal analysis, critical thinking and other key leadership skills such as the ability to adapt to change, work in teams, creativity and communication, among others.

Comparative Law In Action | IE University
Play

THE JOURNEY

HOW DOES IT WORK?More information below
HOW DOES IT WORK?More information below
1

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Technology is at the heart of this experience. Over nine weeks, you and your assigned team will work virtually on an immersive, cutting-edge interactive multimedia case.

As the challenge progresses, you will handle case facts and information to guide your learning. To mimic the dynamic reality of a lawyer´s everyday life, you will receive live notifications of breaking news and events taking place around LoveNow. This will require you to collaborate effectively and react in real-time to confront the many issues that the country is facing.

UNIVERSITIES THAT PARTICIPATE

  • EDINBURGH LAW SCHOOL | IE University
  • BOCCONI LAW SCHOOL | IE University
  • BUCERIUS LAW SCHOOL | IE University
  • FGV RIO LAW SCHOOL | IE University
  • MAASTRICHT LAW SCHOOL | IE University
  • TILBURG LAW SCHOOL | IE University
  • SCIENCESPO | IE University
  • Logo of Catolica Global School of Law featuring a red globe and text in red and blue.
  • Logo of IE University featuring the letters 'ie' in blue alongside the word 'UNIVERSITY' in blue, all on a white background.
Slide 1 of 0
Comparative Law In Action | IE University

DISCOVER HOW WE TEACH LAW THROUGH THE COMPARATIVE LAW METHODOLOGY

The current global context calls future lawyers and professionals that are to be effective leaders on the world stage. Learn how the comparative law methodology allows students to develop the varied skill set necessary in today’s legal landscape.