HISTORY
Founding of the Academy of European Law
ERA was formally established in Trier on 22 June 1992 as a non-profit public foundation, following the European Parliament’s call for a dedicated organisation to support the consistent application of EU law at a time of rapid European integration and the completion of the internal market. Its founding patrons were the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Land of Rhineland-Palatinate, the City of Trier, and the Association for the Promotion of the Academy.
The Early Years and Expansion to Central and Eastern Europe
In 1992, ERA developed its initial programme and, by 1993, launched its first training activities in Central and Eastern Europe to support future accession countries. In 1994, all sixteen German Länder and the Federal Republic of Germany joined as patrons.
Opening of ERA’s Conference Centre
In September 1998, ERA opened its purpose-built conference centre in Trier, inaugurated in the presence of the Presidents of the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Court of Justice and the EFTA Court.
Growth, New Patrons and Expanded Facilities
In 2000, ERA became a founding member of the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) and has been a steadfast contributor to the network’s mission ever since.
This period saw a significant expansion of ERA’s patron base, with the following countries joining the Foundation: Ireland (2000); Poland, Greece and Spain (2001); Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom (2002); Hungary, Sweden, Finland and Austria (2003); Slovakia, France and Scotland (2005); Cyprus (2006); Malta, Slovenia and Romania (2007); the Czech Republic and Bulgaria (2008); and Croatia (2009).
In 2011, ERA inaugurated its expanded congress centre in Trier, created through the integration of the former Bundesbank building to accommodate the growing demand for its training activities.
Completion of EU-Wide Patronage
Between 2012 and 2018, the remaining EU Member States joined the Foundation, including Lithuania (2012), Denmark (2014), Latvia (2016), Belgium (2017) and Estonia (2018).
Digital Transformation and Wider European Integration
ERA has expanded its programme to include face-to-face, hybrid and fully online training formats in response to the digital transformation of legal education. The number of patrons has also continued to grow beyond the EU, with Albania (2023) and Serbia (2024) joining the Foundation, due to ERA’s efforts to support legal and judicial professionals in countries preparing for future EU membership.
Innovation and Sustainable Development (2025–2027)
ERA’s priorities for the coming years include advancing its digital transformation, raising its visibility in the younger generation, deepening cooperation with partner organisations across Europe, and strengthening its role as a modern and attractive employer, so that high-quality training reaches legal professionals in all Member States and candidate countries.
At the same time, ERA aims to ensure sustainable development and financial stability to safeguard the long-term quality of its programmes.
Presidents of the Governing Board since its establishment
1992-2000 Horst Langes
2000-2021 Jacques Santer
Since 2021 Jean-Claude Juncker
Chairpersons of the Board of Trustees since its establishment
1992-1997 Willi Rothley
1997-2010 John Toulmin CMG QC
2010-2021 Pauliine Koskelo
Since 2021 Marc van der Woude
Chairpersons of the Political Advisory Board since its introduction
2000-2002 Ana Palacio
2002-2006 Herbert Mertin
2006-2014 Klaus-Heiner Lehne
2015-2020 Pavel Svoboda
Since 2021 Sabine Verheyen
Directors since ERA’s establishment
1992-1999 Peter Caesar (Dep. Director Ernst Merz)
2000-2020 Wolfgang Heusel
Since 2021 Jean-Philippe Rageade