Since 2000 ELSA has had a participatory status with the Council of Europe and since 2008 the Council of Europe is the Human Rights partner of ELSA International. Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and Siniša Rodin, judge at the Court of Justice, are ELSA’s Patrons.

During all these years of cooperation, ELSA has been involved in different initiatives promoted by the Council of Europe and the Council of Europe supports ELSA in many different ways. The most significant examples are the co-organisation of the Helga Pedersen Moot Court Competition; support of the ROLE (Rule of Law Education), various Legal Research Groups, ELSA Day and the Annual Human Rights Campaign; and the participation of ELSA as a delegation to the World Forum of Democracy.

ELSA and the Council of Europe both share the commitment of both Human Rights and the respect of the rule of law.