IIR Legal Brain Cup 2026
On 8 April 2026, the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations hosted the intellectual legal tournament IIR Legal Brain Cup, which brought together first- and second-year students of the International Law programme around the key idea of learning to think like a lawyer. It was not merely a knowledge competition, but a genuine intellectual challenge that tested logic, speed of thinking, depth of legal understanding, and the ability to argue a position under time pressure.
Opening the event, the Director of the Institute, Valerii Kopiika, emphasized: “This is a unique opportunity to combine theoretical knowledge with practice and to experience the real essence of the legal profession.”
The tournament was organised by the Department of Comparative and European Law (Associate Professors O.V. Goncharuk and B.A. Veselovskyi) together with the Legal Department of the Student Council of the Institute.
A distinctive feature of the tournament was its focus on fundamental disciplines — theory of state and law, history of state and law, and history of political and legal doctrines. These subjects formed the basis for demanding intellectual rounds, while the final stage with oral presentations recreated situations lawyers face in real professional life: the need to formulate a position quickly, defend it, and persuade an audience.
The jury included members of the academic staff and leading legal practitioners, among them advocates, notaries, and representatives of professional legal institutions. This ensured a high standard of evaluation and gave participants valuable feedback from practicing professionals.
Jury Members:
1. Illia Vlialko
2. Olena Lysenko
3. Olha Goncharuk
4. Bohdan Veselovskyi
5. Andrii Soronovych (AO “Brothers Popko and Partners”)
6. Dmytro Taranyk (Sayenko Kharenko)
7. Viktoriia Futuima (Private Notary)
8. Oleksandr Herasymenko (Institute of Political, Legal and Religious Studies)
9. Yevhen Kotorobai (Council of Young Lawyers of Ukraine)
Professor Vadym Popko noted that such formats help shape the modern lawyer — not only theoretically prepared, but also capable of thinking critically, analysing, and acting effectively.
Following an intense intellectual contest, the winners were:
• 1st Place — Danylo Brazhko (2nd year)
• 2nd Place — Kira Mykytenko (1st year)
• 3rd Place — Danylo Lishchynovskyi (2nd year)
Special distinctions were awarded to:
• Best Speaker — Danylo Brazhko
• For the Spirit of Victory — Roman Karmazin
In addition, Sofiia Savanchuk (2nd year) received an internship opportunity at Sayenko Kharenko.
A particularly valuable outcome of the tournament was that all prize winners, without exception, received the opportunity to complete a two-week summer internship with practicing lawyers. This is especially significant because such opportunities are rare for first- and second-year students, as most professional programmes are aimed at senior students. The tournament therefore created an early gateway to legal practice and enabled participants to take their first professional steps from the very beginning of their studies.
The event partners were AO “Brothers Popko and Partners”, Sayenko Kharenko, the Council of Young Lawyers of Ukraine, the Institute of Political, Legal and Religious Studies, as well as Yakaboo, which provided book certificates for participants.
IIR Legal Brain Cup once again confirmed that a strong lawyer is formed where there is challenge, competition, and an immediate opportunity to apply knowledge in practice.