Helping resolve current issues

Many current issues are related to the judicial system or criminology. Taking an academic approach, we aim to help resolve these issues. Sometimes this involves purely legal research, but sometimes using insights from other disciplines.

From pension problems to smart contracting, from liability to privacy: our experts participate in research committees, policy working groups and innovation think tanks, up front but also behind the scenes. Besides their studies, our students also often do internships. At law firms, ministries, the judiciary and in the business sector – they make a direct contribution using their knowledge and commitment.

Research on self-sufficiency and social protection

Citizens must increasingly take responsibility for risks and plan better in relation to work, pension and healthcare. The research programme Zelfredzaamheid en sociale bescherming over de levenscyclus (self-sufficiency and social protection throughout the life cycle) identifies how great these risks are and what level of self-sufficiency is needed to cover these risks. The research, which will continue till 2023, is in the hands of the Department of Economics at our faculty. ■

Codes of conduct of listed companies in one database

In recent years the business sector has become more conscious of its role and responsibility in the observance of human rights. Corporate Social Responsibility is increasingly a theme that is mentioned in annual reports. Many companies have laid down their policy in codes of conduct. To gain more insight into the content of such codes of conduct, the Department of Labour Law at our faculty with support from the municipality of The Hague has developed the Database of Business Ethics (DBBE). This database currently includes 1,200 codes of conduct from European and American listed companies from various business and industry sectors. These codes have been examined on their provisions on fundamental labour rights such as those formulated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The DBBE provides information on which codes contain provisions dealing with fundamental labour rights.

A fitting punishment

A punishment that fits the crime is the cornerstone of the rechtsstaat or constitutional state. But opinions differ greatly as to what constitutes a just and effective punishment. The constant critical eye of academia on the sentences we impose ensures that the system changes along with society. In the Netherlands the main aim of punishment seems to be shifting: from retribution and deterrence to treating and monitoring offenders as much as is possible and thus creating a safer society. This new aim makes it more difficult to find a just punishment. In addition, the effectiveness of certain punishments is being questioned. New forms of crime are emerging such as cybercrime. Our research provides politicians, legislators, law enforcers and the public with new information and insights on punishment. ■