Testimonials

Hello, my name is Yannick Leen. After completing a double bachelors in Law and Economics and choosing a masters in Policy Economics, I wanted to select a legal masters programme that suited my background whilst teaching me to answer new and interesting questions. How do we ensure tech giants don’t interfere in our democratic process? How can we investigate systemic biases in our legal system? Do we have a moral obligation to future generations to preserve natural resources? Is the law what is written down, or do some moral codes apply regardless of the texts we find? These questions were for the most part put aside during the doctrinal courses of the bachelor of Law. In this master programme, these questions were put front and centre, and I got to engage with the academic side of law.

Legal Theory & Socio-legal Studies focusses on the philosophical foundations and societal effects of the law. It contains three distinct tracks to choose from, but really you are free to choose any courses that are qualitatively sufficient. The Socio-legal track contains courses that implement the insights of social sciences (sociology, psychology, economics) and investigates what these insights can teach us about law and its impact. The philosophy track contains courses focussed on questioning the nature of justice, authoritarianism and what it means to have a rule of law. The recent legal developments in countries like Hungary and Poland and the democratic backsliding that has occurred there, make courses such as The Rule of Law in the Global Legal Context exceptionally relevant for identifying and assessing current global trends.

After some shared introductory courses, the individual track allows you to cherry pick courses that fit your academic interests. These courses can be at Erasmus University Rotterdam or elsewhere, and the coordinators of the master programme will guide you during these choices to ensure the courses you have selected are suitable. Despite (or because) of my background in Policy Economics, I found myself drawn to the philosophical and individual tracks, forcing myself to engage with problems in a new and unfamiliar way. This master programme has perfectly complimented my master programme in economics and will allow me to argue both the economic and moral sides of public policy. If you take the time to select courses that truly appeal to you, you will certainly be rewarded. In two excellent courses focussed on the law and policy of European integration, I was able to satisfy my curiosity for the European Union, applying the theories of law that I had learned thus far to a legal system that now more than ever seems to dominate the public debate.

This master programme will allow you to engage in fundamental legal issues in a motivating environment within a small, diverse group of students. If these are the issues of law that matter to you, no other programme will suffice. You will be guided intensively by academics leading in their fields, who view this master programme as a passion project and are ready to help you jumpstart your legal career.

PS If these topics interest you, Sui Generis is the legal study association for you. Regardless of your choice of master programme, we welcome students with an interest in legal theoretical questions, and organise drinks, interactive seminars, book clubs and more. Contact suigeneris.esl@gmail.com for more information.

Hi, my name is Kyra Arneri. I am a double bachelor student in Economics and Law and I currently participate in the LL.M. programme Legal Theory & Socio-Legal Studies. I wasn’t convinced of any particular master programme until I followed the Legal Philosophy course in the third year of the bachelor of Law at Erasmus School of Law.  I wasn’t convinced of any particular master programme until I followed the Legal Philosophy course in the third year of the bachelor of Law at Erasmus School of Law. I found that I was far more interested in the ‘why’ of law and the philosophical and normative foundations that constitute law than what law exactly prescribes and how a judge rules in a certain case. After some research into the programme and talks with professors, I decided to enrol in the Legal Theory & Socio-Legal Studies programme, a decision I am satisfied with to this very day!

The skills that you learn in this master programme do not only make you a better lawyer, they also make you a more critical person and citizen. As opposed to other master programmes in which the professor does most of the talking, the courses in the Legal Theory & Socio-Legal Studies master programme consist entirely of workgroups, for which you have to read mandatory literature on which you have to write points of criticism and discussion statements. I found that the most important learning moments were in these workgroups, where you extensively discuss the material and where your thoughts and work are being challenged by professors and other students. Because the groups consist of a maximum of fifteen people, you always make sure to be very well-prepared and to contribute to the discussion, because that is where and when you learn the most.

Because the master programme is relatively small, you have a lot of contact with your professors and become close with your fellow students very quickly. There have been many times in which we continued some of the interesting discussions we had during the workgroups in the student bar on campus (‘in de Smitse’) or over dinner.
What I like about the Legal Theory & Socio-Legal Studies master programme at Erasmus School of Law is that you have a lot of freedom in choosing your courses. Therefore, this programme is also a great pick for you if you want to combine one of the two tracks with electives from other more legal positive masters.
All the exams are conducted either in the form of an essay or orally. This shows the emphasis on the argumentation skills that you develop in this master programme: you will not pass a course by memorising an entire book or a summary, but by convincing the professor of your arguments.

The first block is very challenging with a strong focus on legal research. After this block you are sure that you have all the skills necessary to write an interesting and well-grounded master thesis! If you do not like writing essays, this master programme might not be the best pick for you. However, if you want to develop your writing and presentation skills, this master is a very smart choice!

My name is Rubilita Hooff. I’m Dutch and I studied Maritime and Transport Law while being a mom and running a legal office. This is my introduction for saying that I that was an older student during the 2019-2020 master. This is also my introduction for telling everyone who works in the transport industry, and everyone who wants to make a career switch in the field of law, that this LL.M. programme is definitely worth giving up one year of your life.

After having finished my bachelor’s degree at the Open University, I decided to do this master programme for the following reasons. I have working experience in this sector. Once I stepped into this world of shipping, it instantly fascinated me. Furthermore, I have the ambition to practice law either at an insurance company or other related business where specialised people in the maritime and transport sector are highly appreciated and needed. Moreover, I have experienced from my job at the claims department of a shipping company, that there is a lack of qualified legal advisors in this area. So, combining all these reasons, it was only a logical step to sign up for this course. Also, knowing that I would meet people from all over the world was a big bonus.

My experience with this master programme can be best described as a marriage of ten months. You must be fully committed to make it work. The first eight weeks are very confronting, and I have experienced these weeks as very intense. However, this period prepares you for the rest of the programme. You have to do presentations, work with other students, debate, upload assignments continuously (throughout the whole year), perform in a moot court and submit your mini thesis. After that, the programme is divided into different courses which aim to fully master you in every aspect of maritime and transport law.

To those of you who are more mature, and who are seriously considering signing up for this master, I would like to leave you with some thoughts. Be convinced that you want to achieve your goal in the end. Know that you will encounter a very stressful year, and you will want to give up at least three times. However, bear in mind that this programme will reap the rewards for the rest of your life. In the end, it is worth it.

Since the very beginning of my studies at my Law School in Italy I have always been interested in an internationally oriented career. After obtaining my master’s degree in Italy I decided to pursue my education at Erasmus School of Law with the LL.M. programme in International and European Union Law. In between my legal studies I also focused on learning foreign languages as I always thought this can be a key ingredient for an international career. I studied Russian in Moscow and French between Strasbourg and Nancy.

The LL.M. programme in International and European Union Law is very well designed as it offers you to explore both International and European Union Law and has a very practical and interdisciplinary approach that gives you a broad picture of both disciplines.
During the fourth block I specialised in International Economic Law and decided to write my thesis on a topic related to EU external relations. The combination of both led me to my first professional experience as a trainee at the European Union Delegation in Singapore, at the Trade and Economic Section. The experience was extremely enriching, and it was really useful to put in practice all the knowledge I had gained throughout the LL.M. programme. I found myself at the EU Delegation right at the time of the signature of the free trade agreement between the EU and Singapore, which was a very interesting first-hand experience.

South East Asia, which I had the opportunity to discover extensively, is in general a very fascinating region, both from a professional and historical point of view. The passion for the region took me to my next adventure, at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific where I am still working as a consultant in legal affairs. At the Trade Policy and Facilitation Section I am especially dealing with the legal aspects of trade facilitation, such as the readiness assessments for paperless trade legal frameworks in member states.

Another important aspect of my experience in Rotterdam is the university social life. Erasmus University Rotterdam is a very lively and dynamic environment with students from all over the world. During the LL.M. programme I had the chance to make life-lasting friendships which I am very grateful for. Hence, if you are interested in an international career and looking for a comprehensive master’s programme, this LL.M programme will be the right choice for you.
The next chapter of my professional career will start in September, when I will move to Brussels, to the Office of the Legal Advisor at NATO HQ. Ad maiora!

Passion for sports and education

I have a great passion for sports, so it was an obvious choice for me to go to the sports academy after high school. Studying at the sports academy for four years was a wonderful time. I loved doing something that I enjoyed without having to worry about other things. Although the labour market was tight in the eighties, I managed to quickly find a job as a gymnastics teacher at a secondary school in Nieuw-Vennep (North-Holland). Because I enjoyed teaching, I started studying German part-time so that I could teach both gymnastics and German. In the years that followed, I also completed a study in physiotherapy, but I never worked as a physiotherapist.

Career switch

After more than ten years of teaching, I became a planner at that same high school. I knew I could not and would not be a gymnastics teacher until the age of 65. A few years later, I started working as an educational logistics employee at Erasmus School of Law. Among other things, I created the (exam) schedule and the study guide. After two years, the role of study advisor became vacant in the department where I worked. Together with several colleagues, I became part of the application committee. The committee was overall disappointed with the applicants and shortly after I was asked to become the new study advisor. As I had no legal background, which was a requirement for this position, I started doing a propaedeutic law course. It began with a propaedeutic year in 2001 and ended with a PhD in 2012. After a period in the role of study advisor, I became a teacher at the beginning of 2007 –  I have always been passionate about teaching - after a vacancy arose in the Constitutional and Administrative Law department. This transition happened about thirteen years ago.

Commitment to society

With my research, I always try to contribute to practice. I think the average citizen of Rotterdam should be aware of the fact that our university is located in this city. I very much welcome the fact that students have side jobs, even if they are not directly related to their study. However, having a side job should not be at the expense of the students’ academic results. For example, I find it very admirable when students act as 'buddies' of children who are less wealthy or have some sort of disability. I have been chairman of the appeals committee of the municipality of Rotterdam for several years. Together with the other members of this committee, I hear citizens who think the government has not acted correctly, and advise the board about this. In this way I aim to make a contribution to the city of Rotterdam with my legal expertise.

Connecting with students

I am motivated to make improvements. Even if things are going well, you can always do better. You try your best and give it your all, but you should not get too comfortable when everything is just going well. In science, this can be difficult. When writing an article, it must eventually be finished and published. I remember being nervous when I received my printed thesis; I was worried about seeing an error when opening it, fortunately, that was not the case. I always try to improve in my lectures. If after an exam it turns out that students find a particular subject difficult, I try to pay more attention to it during the lectures the year after. Teaching as good as possible is also my biggest challenge at the same time; I am a self-proclaimed 'education freak'.

Your study time is a critical phase in your life; you learn to stand on your own feet and make your own choices. I love to teach this mixed group of students and convey my joy, enthusiasm and passion for administrative law to them. Not everyone has to become crazy about it, but I strongly believe in collaboration and establishing a connection with students in education. I could in theory record my lectures and play them again next year, because the content of the education probably will not have changed that much. However, I want to answer questions from students and ask questions to find out what someone does not understand and especially why they do not. Also, broadcasting last year's lectures this year would mean that the word 'corona' would not be mentioned. Well, as most of you understand at this moment in time that is not possible. The law study is about society and is very topical, which should be evident from the content of the lectures.

Role model

I admire students because I see the pace at which they study these days. Studying at the university can be quite demanding for students, and I, therefore, feel obliged to provide the correct information in time and publish error-free texts. It makes me proud when students tell me they are happy with me as a teacher, it makes my (educational) heart beat a little faster. I am also proud of the fact that I regularly get invited to write a scientific article about my expertise and that I am allowed to use my knowledge for society, for example as a deputy judge, the role I fulfil since one year now. I hope I will be able to continue being a deputy judge in the coming years and that I can look back on my working life with great pleasure in ten years' time. I am happy with the work I do, and I feel fortunate.

Law or economics?

In high school, I faced the choice of studying law or economics, and I chose economics. After my brother convinced me to go to university - I wanted to do the Economic-Legal direction of the HEAO (School for higher education in economics and management) in Arnhem because then I could continue to live at home- in the eighties there was only one place where you wanted to go: Rotterdam! In my second year of economics, I took the elective course ‘political law’ with Prof. Wim Couwenberg. Because of his inspiring lectures, I decided to study law (in addition to economics). What I mainly remember about Prof. Couwenberg is that he was an enthusiastic teacher who entered the dialogue and discussion with us, and who listened to what we had to say. Sometimes he even let us convince him, which was very different from the detached and massive lectures in which an economics teacher exercised a mathematical model and in which there was no room for interaction.

Inspired by law

I still remember the first sentence by Prof. René Foqué during my first law lecture: “Ladies and gentlemen, law is learning a new language”. I was immediately captivated and felt at home in law school. Prof. Foqué showed me that law is alive and is shaped by people. He held duo lectures with sociologist Prof. Anton Zijderveld, and during those lectures they entered into a debate. They showed live that you can have different opinions about the same subject, and that the perspective from which you study law is essential. I also learned a lot from Prof. Jan van Dunné. First, he showed that humour is very important in lectures, but he also taught us that you can have your own opinion. Maybe I learned from these four inspirers together that university is not primarily about finding the right answers, but about asking the right questions. Subsequently, you can discuss the answers and learn from that. I hope that I can convey that openness to my students.

Eventually, I finished both law and economics, but law suited me better. I became a mentor at Erasmus School of Law during my studies, and I had a really good time there. With a small group of motivated and driven students, we gave mentor groups to first-year law students. We had close contact with many lecturers and felt part of the faculty. Many mentors attended tutorials and lectures together, and we were very active. I do not know if the teachers always liked that, but we certainly did! When I became a second-year mentor, I met a lovely new mentor during the introductory dinner with the new first-year mentors. The pleasure turned out to be completely mutual, we are together for 28 years already. I could not have wished for a better study time!

First job

Just before my graduation, the head of the mentor program asked if I wanted to become a PhD student and write a dissertation on ‘a game-theoretical analysis of Dutch wrongful act law’. I gladly accepted the offer. I already knew many people in the department, and now I would become one of the teachers who took care of the mentoring assignments and mentor briefings. I found the first period very tiring. Apparently, a work rhythm was quite different from a study rhythm! In addition to my doctoral research, I soon started doing other activities, such as coordinating the Joint Programme in Economics and Law and teaching in the European Master in Law and Economics (EMLE). This brought a lot of variety to my work.

Growing

During my PhD position, I already had many teaching and management tasks, so the next step to Assistant Professor was not so big. A few years after defending my dissertation, I became an Associate Professor and a few years later an endowed professor. Since 1 December 2020 I am full professor. Each new step offered new interesting opportunities. For example, I am (vice) director of the Rotterdam Institute of Law and Economics (RILE), coordinating program leader of the Liability and Insurance research program of the Ius Commune Research School, I have been on various WODC (Dutch Research and Documentation Centre) supervisory committees, fifteen PhD students completed their thesis under my supervision and I have been director of the EMLE program since December 2018. There is a potential risk here for a career at the university: because you are driven and have a passion for your profession, you take on more and more assignments and because you like most things, you do not even realize it. I am therefore not surprised that many academics indicate they experience a high workload.

Smart money calculation tool

I find research in the field of pain and suffering damages fascinating. In several publications, I argue that insights from health economics can help in better assessing pain and suffering damages for personal injuries. Together with a colleague from Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, I am also developing a calculation tool that compares the quality of life of people with injury to that of similar people without injury, and that expresses the lost quality of life in money. I hope that such a tool meets the need to assess pain and suffering damages for personal injuries in a more objective and verifiable way than is currently the case.

Serving leadership

As (vice) director of RILE and director of EMLE, I try to lead cooperatively. Not primarily directive, but more through ‘serving leadership’, so finding out what is needed and trying to organize it. This supportive, collaborative role suits me better than singlehandedly setting the terms and it is nice to see that this attitude is usually appreciated. I am happy with the good ratings I receive from students and I hope that in ten years' time I will still be teaching with the same passion. As coordinator of the Joint programme in  Economics and Law, I think it is great to meet pre-university students for the first time, to see them develop over a number of years, and to finally see them at the closing ceremony organized by In Duplo as a graduated economist and lawyer. If some then also do EMLE and even EDLE (European Doctorate in Law and Economics), the party is complete!

Ambition

I hope that in the future, I will be able to devote more time to teaching and research and that Law and Economics has become even more important to Erasmus School of Law than it already is. I always hope to encounter new exciting topics that I can analyse from a legal economic perspective.

My name is Nourelhouda Kassi. After I completed my master's degree in Company Law, I was nowhere near done learning. I wanted to give more attention to my academic research skills. And I wanted to further deepen my knowledge in diverse niche areas within the law.
Due to the LL.M programme Legal Theory & Socio-Legal Studies (Individual Track), I took my research skills to a higher level. I also had the opportunity to follow courses at three different universities. The basis of the programme is legal theory, which in my opinion teaches you more about the law than any other programme. It places the law in different contexts and broadens your view on the law and life.

All in all, I have now really enjoyed a fully-fledged academic education. It is by far the best second master programme you can choose. It fills the holes of the bachelor programme and of the more conventional master programmes. If it’s your first master, it will teach you, in addition to legal theory, academic thinking and it will give you tools in choosing a career path that matches your desires. 
My biggest tip is to communicate your personal learning goals to the lecturers during the entire programme. They tailor many classes and projects to your personal needs. The absence of a 'one size fits all' approach was a very unique experience for me. I got inspired by it and it made a difference in my performance.

Currently, I work as an Analyst on the financial integrity department (KYC/CDD) of Rabobank. Rabobank is one of the world’s strongest privately owned banks and has offices in more than 40 countries. Yet, I have never visited my work station. I applied during the lockdown due to COVID-19. I must say that the independence and the sense of responsibility you nurture during the Individual Track is a good preparation for working remotely. Something we can’t unthink anymore.
We research and analyse the corporate clients of Rabobank to protect the client, bank and the whole financial system in light of financial integrity and ethics. Considering amongst others the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act.
My work involves making many complex analyses. In order to do this I need to stay in close contact with colleagues, other teams and corporate clients. The communication skills that I gained during my education, in addition to the research skills, are really paying off. 

My name is Jonathan Ruff, and I graduated from Erasmus School of Law in 2008. My keen interest in international matters and surroundings has ‘drawn’ met to follow the predecessor of the current International and European Union Law LL.M. programme. I very much enjoyed the rich and stimulating academic programme, which entailed a broad variety of themes and sub-areas within the ambit of Public International Law and European Union Law, resulting in a deepening and broadening of my knowledge and understanding of these fields of law. Next to legal theory, this programme provided ample opportunities to further develop my writing, legal research and collaborative skills.

Against the background of the modern and cosmopolitan campus of Erasmus University and the vibrant city of Rotterdam, the current International and European Union Law LL.M. programme offers an inspirational and captivating palette of international and EU law courses, an international classroom featuring tailored small-scale teaching, proper attention to practical legal skills alongside theoretical knowledge and an open and welcoming atmosphere that fosters the exchange of ideas and dialogues between students, lectures and guest experts.

Public international law and European Union law can be practised in various professional contexts. I have been working as an attorney since 2009, mainly focusing on international matters in the fields of public international law, private international law and international arbitration. Next to private legal practice, national and international courts, international organisations, academia, non-governmental organisations and diplomacy are examples of organisations and career fields that may offer exciting opportunities to practice, study and research public international law and European Union law.

My advice to prospective master students is to follow their heart: when choosing a master programme, a professional career, and - generally - in life. Your time at university is an excellent period to acquire deeper knowledge about your interests, qualities and passions, which in turn can help you identify and formulate your ideas and vision for a future career path, and navigate towards it. Elective courses, the activities of various student associations and foreign exchange programmes, to name a few options, offer excellent opportunities to discover new horizons, meet new people and grow as a person. I also encourage you to do one or more internships at an organisation you feel enthusiastic about, in order to experience the daily life and work at such organisation. In sum: university life offers a great number of chances and opportunities, waiting to be seized by you. I believe that dedication, confidence, joy, courage, perseverance and authenticity will be helpful companions along the way in creating your own, unique path, imbued with happiness, meaning and energy.      

My enrollment in the LL.M. programme − Maritime and Transport Law at Erasmus School of Law (ESL) – feels like participation in an exchange programme in my own homeland: namely, meeting international students, and increasing my academic knowledge by taking part in workshops and company visits. This LL.M. provides the opportunity to expand my professional network across borders, to make friends all over the world, and to learn from each other.

After finishing my Bachelor’s degree, it was quite a challenge to choose ‘the right’ LL.M. out of hundreds of programmes Finally, I decided to go for an LL.M. in Maritime and Transport Law (MTL) at ESL.

My decision was based on a number of factors. Firstly, in addition to my general interest in Commercial Law, I was very attracted to this programme because it provides students with more than just the old-fashioned ‘Lectures and Seminars’ style of learning. You can expect the following: company visits (law firms, Rotterdam Port Authority), a Marine Insurance Masterclass, workshops organised by the study association TTLA, and even Moot courts, to further improve your debating skills. Secondly, this programme does not limit me to staying and working in the Netherlands for the rest of my life. Because the programme is conducted completely in English and makes comparisons between civil and common law approaches, you can work in almost every country. Moreover, my expanded network, which includes study friends around the world, will definitely help me to easily launch my professional career elsewhere. Finally, I cannot imagine a better place to study Maritime and Transport Law than Rotterdam: the city with one of the world’s most important seaports. This thriving city in the heart of Europe is ideal for a really good cup of coffee, a tasty lunch, and a special beer as well!

‘Goedemorgen allemaal’ (Dutch for: Good morning, everybody!). I am Ottavia, a 26-year-old student from Italy, who is currently enrolled in one of the unique LL.M. programmes offered at Erasmus School of Law in Rotterdam.

After graduating in law in my country of origin, I started working as a trainee lawyer. I coincidentally ended up in in Genoa, in one of Italy’s most internationally orientated Maritime law firms. My work experience there motivated me to pursue a master’s degree in Maritime Law in the city where Europe’s most important port is located: Rotterdam!

If I could name one place to obtain a master in Maritime Law, it would be Erasmus School of Law. You will not only study the theories on which Maritime and Transport law are based, but you will also gain a practical insight into how they apply. Moreover, because of the organisation of monthly visits to different companies, you get the chance to visit the harbour’s business leaders. During my year at Erasmus University, I developed a special interest in Transport Law, and I see myself working as a claim handler in the near future.

As well as studying and visiting several companies, I am active as a volunteer for the Yearbook Committee. Together with LL.M. students from the Company and Commercial Law and International and European Union Law programmes, I am responsible for publishing the Yearbook 2016-2017. It has been a great opportunity to work on this project with other students. I have the chance to conduct interviews with prominent professors, to develop my creative writing, and to improve essential skills such as time-management and teamwork.

I have one final tip for international students: I learned that you cannot survive in a Dutch city without a bike… So actually I would change the Beatles lyrical line ‘All you need is love’ to  ‘…a bike is all you need’.