At its core is the innovative discipline of legal design, which draws on methods of (Critical) Design Thinking and Public Design – a design-oriented approach that develops public solutions in dialogue with society and institutions – as well as other creative approaches to create new answers to complex challenges.

The Leuphana Law Lab sees itself as an experimental laboratory for legal design – a place where interdisciplinary approaches, creative methods, and social responsibility converge. Students contribute their own experiences and interests, propose topics, and develop them within a guided design process.

During the seminar, participants develop solutions that constructively advance current debates. They examine the scope for legal action, learn methodological approaches to legal design, and engage in discussions with experts and practitioners.

A special focus is placed on interdisciplinary work: In order to be able to act effectively in mixed teams, participants reflect on their own professional perspective and learn to understand and further develop it as a valuable contribution to the common solution.

The specific topics are drawn from environmental and sustainability sciences. Different disciplinary perspectives and their interaction – including friction and synergies – are jointly reflected upon in the seminar.

The aim of this course is to equip students with the skills to understand and apply legal design as a discipline by teaching them design methods. They will be empowered to develop innovative approaches that can shape law flexibly and in a way that is tailored to the needs of its users. A key component of the course is the participation in a project in collaboration with civil society. Within this framework, students will contribute to the further development of law and its practical application through dialogue with various stakeholders. This hands-on involvement not only provides them with a deeper understanding of legal design but also enables them to actively contribute to developing transformative and equitable solutions to current societal challenges.