Representatives from the Ministry and various authorities discussed the implementation of EU Directives 2013/11/EU (Alternative Dispute Resolution for consumer disputes) and 2020/1828/EU (collective redress). Together, they identified best-practice approaches for further implementation, the details of which still need to be worked out
In October, we will continue this cooperation and discuss the implementation of the EU Regulation on cooperation between national authorities responsible for the enforcement of consumer protection laws, Regulation (EU) 2017/2394. We are already looking forward to it!
We would like to thank the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalisation of the Republic of Moldova, all participants from a wide range of authorities, and the German experts Felix Braun (Chairman of the Centre for Mediation e.V. and Head of the Federal Universal Mediation Office), Ms Andrea Klinder (case investigator at the Federal Universal Conciliation Office), Mr Heiko Dünkel (Head of the Legal Enforcement Team at the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (vzbv)) and Mr Felix Methmann (Head of the Law and Trade Team at the Federation of German Consumer Organisations(vzbv)), as well as Prof. Dr Caroline Meller-Hannich (Holder of the Chair of Civil Law, Civil Procedure and Commercial Law at the Faculty of Law and Economics, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg) for the introductory online presentation.
Would you like to see more highlights from Moldau? You can find a short video of the events on our Instagram channel!
The participants of the Summer School 2026 in Burcuta, Republic of Moldova
Moldova
In recent years, the Republic of Moldova has taken an important step towards European legal harmonisation by reforming its administrative law. The Administrative Code, which came into force in 2019, is largely modelled on the German VwGO and VwVfG and presents the judiciary, the administration and young legal professionals with new challenges in its practical application.
Against this backdrop, the second IRZ Summer School 2026 took place in Burcuta from 5 to 10 July 2026, organised jointly with the State University of Moldova (USM). Around 20 young students and trainee lawyers from across the country took part in the programme, which dealt in depth with the fundamentals and practical application of the Administrative Code.
Through specialist lectures and interactive exercises led by a German-Moldovan team of trainers, the participants explored key issues in administrative procedure and procedural law. Particular emphasis was placed on practical case work, which directly linked theoretical knowledge to its application in specific case scenarios. A lively panel discussion with guests from the Moldovan judiciary and administration also provided direct insight into Moldovan legal practice.
Furthermore, the summer school offered an introduction to the significance of EU law for the national legal system, as well as discussions on Moldova’s path to the European Union and the associated challenges and opportunities for the country’s legal development.
IRZ would like to thank all participants, the team of experts and its partner USM for an inspiring week full of professional exchange and new insights.
Would you like to find out more about the summer school? Then do take a look at a short video on Instagram and get to know the summer school participants.
Delegation from the Court of Appeal of the Center of the Republic of Moldova visiting the Administrative Court of Cologne.
Moldau
The partnership between the Administrative Court of Cologne and the Court of Appeal Center (Curtea de Apel Centru) in Chişinău, which was established in September, has already gotten off to a practical start. At the beginning of December, a delegation from the Moldovan court traveled to Cologne for five days to deepen the professional exchange on administrative law.
Insight into court practice
The group comprised 15 employees of the Court of Appeal, including assistant judges and two newly appointed judges. The study trip focused on a comprehensive training program on the application of the Moldovan Administrative Code. This code is essentially based on German administrative procedural and administrative process law regulations. The exchange with judges from the Cologne Administrative Court therefore provided valuable practical insights.
The training program was supplemented by a wide range of insights into the work of the Cologne Administrative Court. The guests had the opportunity to observe court hearings, learn about German judicial service law, and visit the historic building at the Appellhof, where the Cologne Administrative Court is located.
At the end of the trip, nearly 30 members of both courts came together for an evening meeting. This collegial exchange provided ample opportunity to share experiences from everyday work, explore questions in greater depth, and strengthen the basis for further cooperation.
Looking ahead
The visit marks the beginning of a long-term partnership, which will be deepened in the future through further specialist events, work shadowing, and joint projects. The new court partnership is also part of IRZ's long-term commitment to supporting the Republic of Moldova in the introduction and practical application of its Administrative Code.
