After its highly successful first two editions in 2024 and 2025, we are delighted to announce the third Leiden eLaw Summer School from 22 to 26 June 2026, both in person in Leiden and online. This year's theme is 'The EU Digital Omnibus - Streamlining Rules, Sacrificing Standards?'
In November 2025 the EU Commission proposed the 'Digital Omnibus', as part of a wider digital package, to reform rules on personal data protection, non-personal data and cybersecurity regulation as well as key elements of the 2024 Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act).
The Digital Omnibus aims to enhance the effectiveness of the EU's digital laws, streamline administrative burdens on market actors, and foster innovation. How compatible is a simplification agenda with the fulfilment of fundamental rights, and where might streamlining risk a lowering of European standards?
This edition of the eLaw Summer School will delve into critical questions such as:
- How is the advent of AI transforming legal, policy, and enforcement frameworks?
- How does nascent AI regulation interact with the evolving data protection framework and privacy case law?
- What are the most relevant features, rules, opportunities, and challenges of the EU AI Act, both in the commercial field and in the (criminal) law enforcement sector?
- What challenges do Generative AI models pose under the GDPR, the AI Act, and online safety laws?
- How can organisations conduct a Fundamental Rights Impact Assessment under the AI Act and comply with high-risk AI system requirements?
- Does the AI Act, along with the enforcement of the EU digital rulebook (DSA), enhance user protection online - in particular that of minors?
- What are the policy dynamics, legal 'nuts and bolts', and likely impact of the proposed EU Digital Omnibus reforms?
- What are the implications of AI, in light of ongoing reforms, for enforcing EU digital market laws?
Duration and Structure
The programme spans five days from Monday June 22 to Friday June 26, filled with insightful sessions each morning and engaging workshop activities in the afternoon.
Each day will feature two eminent speakers in the morning, hailing from academia, institutions, and the private sector, offering a rich diversity of perspectives on the topics at hand. The afternoons will be dedicated to hands-on workshop activities, allowing participants to apply their knowledge in practical scenarios and engage in meaningful discussions.
The course is exclusive to max 45 participants, including 15 slots available for online attendees, ensuring an interactive and focused learning environment.
Why attend?
This programme is tailored for individuals with a solid foundation in law and digital technologies seeking to deepen their understanding of the current and emerging regulatory frameworks in the EU. It is an excellent opportunity for professionals looking to stay at the forefront of digital law and policy.
Confirmed speakers (more speakers will be confirmed soon):
- Prof. Dr. Gloria González Fuster, Research Professor of Law, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Sven Stevenson, Director of the Department of Algorithmic Oversight (DCA), Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP)
- Prof. Dr. Francien Dechesne, Endowed Professor, Data and AI for the Rule of Law, Tilburg University & Associate Professor of Ethics and Digital Technologies, Leiden University
- Prof. Dr. Simone van der Hof, Professor of Law and Digital Technology, Leiden University
- Prof. Dr. Bart Custers, Professor of Law and Data Science, Leiden University
- Prof. Dr. Bart Schermer, Professor of Privacy and Cybercrime, Leiden University
- Dr. Gianclaudio Malgieri, Associate Professor of Law and Technology, Leiden University
Fees participants
| Regular Fee | €1.890 | |
| Early Bird Fee | €1.365 | deadline 27 March 2026 |
| Student Fee | €1.155 | incl. PhD Students |
| Early Bird Student Fee | €945 | deadline 27 March 2026, incl. PhD Students |
| Online Regular Fee | €1.890 | |
| Online Early Bird Fee | €1.365 | deadline 27 March 2026 |
| Online Student Fee | €1.155 | incl. PhD Students |
| Online Early Bird Student Fee | €945 | deadline 27 March, incl. PhD Students |
The price includes lunches, drinks and social activities.
Information and registration
Registration is open. See this website