The European Law Institute (ELI) is an independent, non-profit organisation established in June 2011 to initiate, conduct, and facilitate research, make recommendations and provide practical guidance in the field of European legal development. The idea for ELI was inspired by the activities of the American Law Institute (ALI), founded in 1923, and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ELI was established to serve a similar purpose within the European legal context, focusing on the improvement of European legal development in a global context. ELI plays a pivotal role in enhancing European legal integration and its influence extends beyond Europe's borders. 
Its members include judges, academics, legal practitioners, government officials, and policy and decision makers. Together, they form a unique European legal community from over 60 different countries in Europe and beyond. ELI's work has influenced the European legislature as well as laws at national and international level, therefore impacting the lives of millions of natural and legal entities in Europe and beyond.
Pascal Pichonnaz, professor for Swiss contract law, Roman law, and European consumer law and comparative contract law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Fribourg, is the current elected as President of ELI. He took office in September 2021, succeeding Christiane Wendehorst, Professor of civil law at the University of Vienna, who served as ELI President for two consecutive terms, from 2017–2021.
Structure.
The highest body of the Institute is the Membership, which elects from among its Fellows the main governing body: the Council. The Council is made up of 56 elected individuals representing different legal traditions, professions and disciplines. In addition to the elected Council members, the ELI President, the two Vice-Presidents, and the Treasurer become ex-officio members of the Council from the moment they take office. Further, up to 10 ex-officio members from selected institutions can be offered ex-officio seats on the Council. 
The Council delegates many of its tasks and powers to its standing committees, which deal with matters such as membership and fundraising. It elects an executive committee from amongst its members, the Association's administrative body. 
There is a Senate in place to provide advice. It appoints from among its members an Arbitral Tribunal, tasked with settling any disputes within the organisation. Reinhard Zimmermann serves as the Speaker of the ELI Senate. 
The ELI Secretariat, hosted by the University of Vienna and headed by Secretary General Vanessa Wilcox, supports the competent bodies of the Institute.
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