From May 19 to 22, 2026, the Institute of Law of Samara University hosted Mock Civil Proceedings 2026—a practice-oriented educational initiative designed to develop professional competencies among third-year students through hands-on engagement with real civil cases, in collaboration with leading regional employers.
Eight Cases, One Goal: Bridging Theory and Practice
In a setting meticulously crafted to mirror the atmosphere of actual courtrooms, students assumed diverse legal roles—judges, plaintiffs, defendants, third parties and their representatives, prosecutors, guardianship authorities, witnesses, experts, and other procedural participants—immersing themselves in the authentic world of justice.
Eight civil cases were heard during the event, each handled by a dedicated student group:
• Prosecutor's claim: recognition of property rights, recovery of a civil defense object from unlawful possession, and compulsory transfer to the ownership of the Russian Federation (Group 8305-400301D);
• Guardianship authority claim: deprivation of parental rights (Group 8307-400301D);
• Claim: establishment of the fact of inheritance acceptance and recognition of property rights (Group 8308-400301D);
• Claim: determination of a child's place of residence and visitation schedule (Group 8312-400301D);
• Claim: compensation for damages resulting from a traffic accident (Group 8306-400301D);
• Claim: compensation for harm caused to health (Groups 8301-400301D and 8304-400301D);
• Claim: determination of shares in jointly acquired marital property (Group 8309-400301D);
• Claim: recovery of debt under a loan agreement (Groups 8302-400301D and 8303-400301D).
Expert Guidance and Regional Partnership
The event was moderated by Svetlana V. Elekina, Associate Professor at the Department of Civil Procedure and Business Law, Candidate of Legal Sciences.
Preparation was led by a team of experienced coaches from the same department:
- Tatyana V. Chugurova, Associate Professor, Candidate of Legal Sciences
- Svetlana V. Elekina, Associate Professor, Candidate of Legal Sciences
- Elena N. Gubina, Senior Lecturer
The proceedings were attended by Andrey V. Yudin, Acting Director of the Institute of Law, Doctor of Legal Sciences, Professor; faculty members including Olga V. Klimanova, Maria A. Nikishchenkova, Yulia S. Norvartyan, Rustam Z. Yusupov, and Yulia Yu. Yakubyak; and distinguished representatives from regional employers—the judiciary, Sberbank PJSC, Bioton LLC, and other organizations.
High Stakes, Higher Standards
Students demonstrated a high level of professional competence in examining and resolving civil disputes, showcasing their readiness for real courtroom practice and for defending the violated or contested rights of citizens, organizations, and the state.
First-, second-, and third-year students invited as observers actively engaged with the proceedings, gaining valuable insight into litigation dynamics and procedural strategy.
"These mock proceedings are not just an academic exercise—they are a rehearsal for professional life," noted one faculty participant.
"When students argue real legal issues before actual practitioners, they learn not only the law, but how to think, speak, and act like lawyers."
By the Numbers
- 220+ Institute of Law students participated overall
- 125+ served as active participants in the simulated trials
- 8 civil cases fully litigated
- 1 immersive educational experience bridging classroom theory and courtroom reality
Building the Next Generation of Legal Professionals
Mock Civil Proceedings 2026 reaffirmed Samara University's commitment to practice-based legal education. By placing students in the roles they will one day occupy professionally—and by inviting real-world employers to evaluate their performance—the Law Institute ensures that its graduates enter the workforce not just with knowledge of the law, but with the confidence, skill, and ethical grounding to uphold it.
Prepared by: Svetlana V. Elekina, Associate Professor, Department of Civil Procedure and Business Law, Candidate of Legal Sciences
