On 21 August 2025, Minister of Education Eppo Bruins decided to make a part of the funding allocated to the Sector Plan Rechtsgeleerdheid permanent. This decision follows the very positive final evaluation by the SSH Sector Plan Committee earlier this year.
The Law Sector Plan, implemented in the period 2019-2024, aimed to strengthen fundamental legal research and related education in the Netherlands and to promote cooperation between the ten law schools in the Netherlands. The sector plan was focused at five societal priorities: Conflict Resolution Institutions, Digital Legal Studies, Empirical Legal Studies, Rebalancing Public and Private Interests, and the Transformative Effect of Globalisation on Law.
High praise for achievements
In its evaluation earlier this year, the Sector Plan Committee praised the results that were achieved. It spoke of a powerful boost to the legal discipline and a strengthening of the link between education and research. The Committee also concluded that sharp and relevant choices had been made, with many opportunities for further development. In his letter to parliament, the Minister also indicated that he was impressed by the strengthening of the profile and coordination. The universities have been called upon to continue to use the sector plan funds for the priorities they have set in their respective sector plans.
From ambition to impact
The Council of Deans in Law (RDR) is delighted with this decision and Erasmus School of Law is very pleased with this result. “We are proud of the many fine examples that have emerged from the two themes Erasmus School has been working on: Rebalancing Public and Private Interests and Empirical Legal Studies”, according to Harriët Schelhaas, dean of Erasmus School of Law.
One example is the research initiative Law and Political Economy in Europe by Ioannis Kampourakis, Associate Professor of International and European Union Law at Erasmus School of Law, on redefining the role of law in social change, which has resulted in, among other things, the Veni grant Green Growth and Justice: Securing the Material Resources for the Green Transition.
Within the framework of the Empirical Legal Studies various new international partnerships have been established, such as the European Society for Empirical Legal Studies (ESELS), the European Journal of Empirical Legal Studies (EJELS) and the Empirical Legal Studies (ELS) Academy. This Academy has developed a joint educational vision for bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes in the Netherlands, offering empirical legal education to students and researchers.
Another good example is the Small Grants Scheme developed by Erasmus School law, from which 26 initiatives have been financed, such as the Conference on Law, AI & Regulation organised by PhD researchers. The Sustainability in Arbitration and Investment Law seminars also provided a forum where the private and public domains came together.
On a national level the board of Erasmus School of Law will discuss with the RDR and Executive Board if and how the sector plan themes can be continued. The board would like to thank all the colleagues that have worked on the sector plan for their efforts and role in realising this success.
- More information
Read more in the report of the final assessment
Read the letter to the parliament
