Leiden Law School The keys to

LEIDEN LAW SCHOOLThe keys to success

Leiden University. The university to discover.

Foreword Dean Leiden Law School 1

Leiden University 2

Leiden Law School 3

Leiden Law Programmes 5Non-degree programmes 6Degree programmes 8

Application and admission 16

Student life in Leiden 18

Research 19

Facts about Leiden Law School 21

INDEX

Leiden is known as the ‘City of Keys’: Its coat of arms is two red keys, crossed on a white background. The keys have been used in offi cial Leiden documentation since the 13th Century. They represent the keys to the gates of heaven held by St. Peter; St. Peter’s church in Leiden was built in 1121.

Leiden Law School: The keys to success | 1

‘It is a great honour to serve as Dean at the Leiden Law School’

As Dean of the Law School at Leiden, it is an honour and privilege to be part of an

academic tradition that was started in 1575. As the oldest university in the Netherlands,

it has been the house of learning for some of the greatest thinkers in history. Descartes,

John Quincy Adams, Albert Einstein and Winston Churchill were all part of Leiden’s

academic community. Today the Leiden Law School is one of the most respected and

pre-eminent worldwide.

Leiden Law graduates have advanced in their careers to become members of the Dutch

Supreme Court, the International Court of Justice, the European Parliament, and

to serve as diplomats, leaders of NATO and executive offi cers of some of the world’s

largest companies. They all benefi ted from our high level of academic teaching and

internationally orientated approach to our law specialisations.

The city of Leiden is steeped in history: Rembrandt was born here in 1606, the Pilgrims

sought refuge here for more than a decade on their way to Boston, and the Constitution

of the Netherlands was written in Leiden in 1848. The symbol of Leiden is two red keys

that are meant to open the gates of heaven by Saint Peter. Today Leiden remains a socially

and culturally diverse university city and an exciting confl uence of the old and new.

Our school is currently one of the world’s leading law schools that provides aspiring

law students with the opportunity to choose from and excel in a broad range of law

disciplines. Each year we are pleased to be able to accept more than 850 Dutch and 350

international students to our bachelor’s, master’s, PhD and short term programmes.

Apart from its high academic rankings our school is also rated highly for its superb

teaching and library facilities. Leiden Law School has also consistently been ranked in the

top 10 most popular international law schools at llmguide.com.

At the Leiden Law School students from all nationalities meet with one another on a daily basis.

These meetings of young legal specialists from throughout the world generate friendships that

contribute to a more prosperous, honest, peaceful and – hopefully – just world.

Read further for an impression of what our Law School is all about and why we are so

proud of our reputation.

Carel Stolker

Dean, Leiden Law School

‘The study of law is not merely an

academic challenge but should

also prepare students for legal

practice. It is the university’s

duty to respond to challenges of

a changing world and to offer our

students the necessary tools to

successfully participate in that

new legal order.’

| Leiden Law School: The keys to success2

Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands.

It was founded in 1575, as a gift from William of Orange to

the citizens of Leiden, for their heroic endurance during the

Dutch struggle for independence. It was the fi rst university

in the Netherlands where freedom of belief and religion was

practised, as refl ected in the University’s motto, Praesidium

Libertatis, Bastion of Liberty. It was in this atmosphere

of freedom of speech that philosophers like Spinoza and

Descartes were able to develop their ideas.

Leiden University has since evolved to become a world-

famous centre of science and research. The University boasts

six faculties and more than 150 undergraduate and 250

master’s programmes. Leiden University is an internationally

recognised research-intensive university.

To fulfi l its aim of promoting fundamental research, Leiden

University has entered into an alliance with the most

prestigious research universities in Europe to form the League

of European Research Universities (LERU).

Leiden University

Leiden

The Academy Building was Leiden University’s fi rst residence in 1575

AmsterdamSchipholLeidenDen Haag

RotterdamUtrecht

Europe and the Netherlands


The university’s tradition in law dates back to the time of Hugo

Grotius. Often referred to as the ‘Mozart of International Law’,

Grotius started his studies at Leiden University in 1594 at age 11.

The Leiden Law School is located in a beautifully renovated

national monument in the historic heart of Leiden. The Law

School also has teaching and research facilities at its campus in

The Hague: The Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies

enables a unique collaboration with The Hague’s international

legal institutions.

During its history the Leiden Law School has continuously

managed to maintain its reputation for excellence by

combining a high level of academic teaching with acclaimed

and innovative research. The Law School has an eminent

reputation in the training of lawyers and diplomats. Our

alumni include members of the Dutch Supreme Court, of

international courts, the former Secretary General of NATO,

prominent lawyers in the Netherlands and the USA, and chief

executives of multinational companies.

Leiden Law School

• Hugo Grotius, founder of the modern natural law theory• Rudolph Cleveringa, known for his acclaimed protest speech to

defend his Leiden colleague E.M. Meijers at the time of German occupation; and the honarary supervisor of the Leiden honorary doctorate for Sir Winston Churchill

• Her Royal Highness Beatrix van Oranje-Nassau, Queen of the Netherlands

• Laurens Jan Brinkhorst, former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Ambassador. Currently professor, Leiden Law School

• Dorette Corbey, European Parliament• Jan Ernst de Groot, Managing Director, KLM• Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, former Secretary General of NATO.

Currently professor, Leiden Law School• Clementine de Vries Lentsch-Kostense, Deputy Procurator General

at the Supreme Court• His Royal Highness Constantijn van Oranje-Nassau, Head of the

Information Policy & Economics team, RAND Europe Brussels• Armin van Buuren, the offi cial ‘World’s Most Popular DJ’ in DJ top 100 poll

THEY STUDIED LAW AT LEIDEN

His Royal Highness Constantijn van Oranje-Nassau‘Law and Leiden, in the Netherlands the combination is as obvious as Pisa and its tower; not quite as old but just as unavoidably linked. For me the link was less obvious. I chose the town and university independent

of the study of Law. The town attracted me for its charm and student life. Law - I hoped - would train me to take an objective perspective

and provide me with a good approach for structuring problems. I found that in addition Leiden University offers academic tradition and international standing. Leiden opened my eyes to such issues as the rights of migrants, European law and institutions, and civil and international law. What I learnt here within the Law School and beyond provided a basis for the rest of my career and personal development.’

A typical Leiden tradition: Following the graduation ceremony, all graduates sign their name on the wall of the so-called ‘Sweat Room’. As recipients of a Leiden Honorary Doctorate also Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela have signed this wall.


JournalsThe Law School publishes a number of important and highly

regarded law journals: The Common Market Law Review,

published by the Europa Institute, the oldest

est ab lished legal institution of its kind, and the Leiden

Journal of International Law, which has gained an eminent

inter national reputation in the area of public international law.

Library facilities In addition to the facilities of its extensive main Law library,

the Law School houses several specialist libraries: The

Doc umentation Centre of East European Law, the European

Documentation Centre, the library collection of the Van

Vollenhoven Institute for Law, Governance and Development,

and the United Nations depository library.

Furthermore, the Peace Palace in The Hague houses a large

public library of material on international law and European

law. This library, open to students of Leiden University, serves

the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ

of the United Nations, as well as the International Criminal

Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

Professor Jaap de Hoop Scheffer Former Secretary General of NATO, currently Professor of Law at Leiden Law School

‘The combination of studying Law and Leiden University still evokes very fond memories. Leiden, with a centuries-long tradition of excellence in both Humanities and Science, proved to pair a very

stimulating academic environment with living in a ‘human scale’ citywith many possibilities for extra-curricular activities. And so it

still does to this day. Leiden Law School’s longstanding focus on both civil and international law provided me with a very solid legal training and foundation, which have proven invaluable through the years, in very different incarnations as a diplomat, politician and as Secretary General of NATO.’

Our Law School library


The Law School consists of the Institutes for Private Law,

Public Law, Criminal Law and Criminology, Tax Law and

Economics, and the Interdisciplinary Study of the Law. The

Institutes incorporate a further eighteen divisions, including

a number of prominent fi elds such as public international law

(the Grotius Centre), European and international business law,

international tax law, and air and space law. Master of Laws as

well as specialist Advanced Studies programmes (LL.M. Adv.)

are offered in these areas.

All Leiden University’s Law programmes are accredited by the

Accreditation Organisation of Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO).

Leiden Law programmes (Bachelor’s, Master’s and Advanced Master’s)

Criminology

Undergraduate programmes

Law

Combination Studies: • Law and Business • Law and Economics

Notarial Law

Tax Law

Leiden Law Courses

Summer School programmes

LL.M. (Master of Laws)

Talent Programme

Law

Notarial Law

Tax Law

Criminology

European Law

Public International Law

Public International Law

LL.M. Advanced

Courses for professionals

Postgraduate programmes

Talent Programme

European and InternationalBusiness Law

Air and Space Law

International Tax Law

Ph.D.

Talent Programme

Criminal Justice

CoherentPrivate Law

Limits of Tax Jurisdiction

Reform of Social Regulation

Securing the Rule of Law in a World of Multilevel Jurisdiction

Social Cohesion, Multiculturalism and Globalisation

LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws)

Dutch-taught programme English-taught programme


Leiden Law CoursesThe Leiden Law School offers an extensive programme of law

courses at undergraduate level taught in English.

Courses are offered both in the Autumn semester, from

September until the middle of December, and the Spring

semester, from February until the end of May. Visiting students

can choose whether to attend either semester, or both. About

fi fteen courses are offered in each semester. These include a

broad array of legal courses, with many specialist choices in

areas including European law, public international law,

competition law, law and governance, comparative tort law,

humanitarian law, criminal law, and air and space law.

Upon completion, students receive a transcript certifi cate;

courses and the academic credits obtained can then be

transferred to count towards the students’ degrees at their

home institutions. These Leiden Law Courses are open to

exchange and visiting students from around the world, as well

as Dutch students, which gives the courses a truly international

fl avour.

Non-degree programmes

Professor Edward MorrisonHarvey R. Miller Professor of Law and Economics, Columbia Law School, New York

‘The Columbia Summer Program is unique among summer programs. For nearly 50 years, energetic Columbia professors have conducted highly interactive classes and engaged informally with students at daily lunches and other extracurricular

activities in the beautiful academic environs of Leiden. With support from a top-notch administrative staff, the program creates an intense and rewarding environment in which students create deep, lifelong friendships and make real investments in their future legal careers. It is the most fun and rewarding summer program I have encountered.’


Summer programmesSeveral programmes are offered during the summer months in

cooperation with Columbia University in New York, and our

Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies in The Hague.

Columbia Summer ProgramThis internationally renowned summer programme has been

held since 1963, alternating between Leiden University (in

even years) and the University of Amsterdam (in odd years).

It is taught entirely by members of the faculty of the Columbia

University Law School in New York, and is designed to provide

a general introduction to the American legal system for

lawyers, master’s students, and others interested in the

programme. In addition to the high academic level, the

Columbia Summer Program is also known for its close-knit

and pleasant atmosphere amongst participants and professors

from Columbia University.

Anna Katharina Wolf, GermanyCurrently studying at Columbia University Law School, New York

‘The Columbia Summer Program is a valuable opportunity to gain an insight in the U.S. legal system. I learned a lot during the program and found the teaching inspiring and motivating.’

Opening session international students

Summer Program on International Criminal LawThe Summer Program on International Criminal Law is

organised by our Grotius Centre for International Legal

Studies and is held in The Hague. Professionals from the

International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International

Court for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and other infl uential

scholars contribute to this course. The programme is intended

for graduate law students, or those who are close to graduating,

and young professionals with a demonstrated interest in

international criminal law.


The Law School offers four LL.M. programmes in Dutch, and

six LL.M. programmes in English - including four advanced

level programmes.

The Dutch-language LL.M. programmes are offered in the

areas of general law, tax law, notarial law and criminology.

The English-language LL.M. programmes are offered in

European law, and public international law. The advanced

level LL.M. programmes are offered in European and

international business law, public international law, air and

space law, and international tax law.

A Leiden Advanced Studies degree is a highly specialised

postgraduate qualifi cation. LL.M. Advanced Studies students

are also involved in the research carried out within their

institute. Students are taught by our most senior faculty as

well as leading experts in the fi eld, and the number of contact

hours are high. The programmes are highly international,

with students coming from over 50 countries across all fi ve

continents.

Regular LL.M. programme: European LawThis programme is designed primarily for international

and Dutch law students who wish to specialise in the fi eld

of European law during the last phase of their studies. The

programme focuses on various areas of European law - such as

human rights, the internal market and the European Union’s

external relations - both from a substantive and institutional

law perspective. The programme aims to equip students with

the necessary skills and knowledge for a future career as a

European law specialist.

Degree programmes

The Advanced Studies programmes differ from the

regular LL.M. programmes in their level of teaching

and learning. The regular programme is the fi nal

part of the Dutch law curriculum, and is a required

programme for Dutch students wishing to gain the

right to enter legal practice in the Netherlands.

The regular programme is also accessible for

international students (and attracts many!), and is

aimed at those participating directly after completing

a bachelor’s programme in Law.

In terms of level of study, the Advanced Studies

programmes are substantially more in-depth and

demanding. In just one academic year they offer a

thorough and focused education on a specifi c area of

legal expertise. The Advanced Studies programmes

are specifi cally designed for excellent students

with legal experience and for qualifi ed lawyers who

wish to enhance their career prospects. They cater

exclusively for a group of students who are able to

benefi t from close contact with their professors as

well as with expert practitioners from the relevant

legal fi eld. There are very few universities that offer

LL.M. programmes at this level.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ADVANCED STUDIES AND THE REGULAR LL.M. PROGRAMMES?

Professor Rick LawsonProgamme Director European Law, Leiden Law School

‘It is trite to say that ‘Europe’ has a huge impact on our daily lives. From trade to the environment, from the fi nancial markets to judicial co-operation: The EU has assumed a central role in 21st century

policy making. Meanwhile the European Court of Human Rights protects the rule of law in 47 European states. Society needs lawyers who know how Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg work. It is our aim to train lawyers who can fi nd their way in the European legal order.’


The programme consists of the following subjects and a thesis:

• Capita Selecta of European Law - Privatissimum

• EU Institutional Law & General Principles of EU Law

• European Protection of Human Rights

• The Union in the World

• EU Substantive Law

• European Law in Practice - Practicum

Regular LL.M. programme: Public International LawPublic international law is the law that governs international

relations. In the not so distant past, this was more or less

limited to relations between states. In recent years international

organisations, peoples, enterprises and individuals have also

become part of an increasingly complex global society and

consequently have entered the realm of international law.

The programme comprises the following courses, and a thesis:

• Public International Law

• International Criminal Law

• International Dispute Settlement

• Protection of Victims of War

• International Relations

• Philip C Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition,

or Telders Moot Court Competition

• The Law & Practice of International Organisations -

Practicum

• Theoretical Perspectives on Human Rights Law -

Privatissimum

Current information about the degree programmes can be found at en.mastersinleiden.nl

Professor Nico SchrijverAcademic Director Public International Law, Leiden Law School

‘The intercultural character of this programme serves as a strong motivation both for students and lecturers. We make considerable demands of our students, but they respect this. In my experience

they want to be challenged.’

Graduation ceremony 2010


Advanced LL.M. programme in European and International Business LawThe Master’s programme of Advanced Studies in European

and International Business Law is aimed particularly at

lawyers who wish to specialise in the area of European and

inter national business law, and who desire to become, or

already are, international legal practitioners in internationally

operating law fi rms and companies, as well as (EU)

organisations.

The programme focuses on the impact of the law of the EU

on government and enterprises in a global economy, and its

repercussions on, and interaction with, other international

institutions, in particular the World Trade Organization. The

curriculum provides students with a thorough knowledge of

EU law and the legal systems governing international business

transactions with an EU component. Students become

confi dent in the handling and presentation of complex legal

materials, orally and in writing, using the specifi c vocabulary

of European and international business law.

The programme is offered in association with the Europa

Institute, which forms part of the Law School. It is the oldest

European institution devoted to the study of European law.

The Institute publishes the renowned Common Market Law

Review, generally considered the best law review in its fi eld.

This Leiden programme has several unique characteristics.

Firstly, it has a clearly defi ned focus on the interaction of

international, European and national law, with a deliberate

choice of compulsory courses, thus allowing for depth of

study and coherence of the subject matter chosen. A second

distinction is that, without compromising academic standards,

Leiden pays specifi c attention to professional applications,

particularly through its assignments and teaching methods.

The programme consists of nine courses, mandatory work on

the European Law Moot Court, and a thesis. The courses are:

• The Legal Foundations of the European Union

• The Internal Market and Harmonisation

• European Company Law

• European and International Intellectual Property Law

• WTO Law

• European Competition Law

• International Arbitration

• European and International Private Law

Professor Christa ToblerProgramme Director European and International Business Law, Leiden Law School

‘Leiden has a legendary name within the fi eld of international and European law. It is therefore particularly well situated to offer a programme that deals with the challenges faced by businesses in a

world of multilevel juridiction.’

Dániel Dózsa, HungaryAssociate at Weil, Gotshal & Manges, Budapest

‘The LL.M. programme in European and international business law gave me the competitive edge I was striving for. Besides having been taught by professionals of unrivalled expertise in their given fi eld, I’ve had the privilege of studying with

bright people from four diffe rent continents in perhaps the most beautiful and livable city in the Netherlands. I think this is what they call the experience of a life-time.’


Advanced LL.M. programme in Public International LawThe programme of Advanced Studies in Public International

Law offers both law graduates and practitioners the

opportunity to acquire an advanced knowledge of this branch

of law, while at the same time allowing them suffi cient freedom

to specialise in one of two areas: International Criminal Law,

and Peace, Justice and Development. The programme is

partly taught at Campus The Hague, from where there is easy

access to the nearby Peace Palace Library. This dual campus

location offers students a unique combination of the academic

expertise of Leiden University with the practice of the various

international legal organisations in The Hague, ‘City of Peace

and Justice’. Guest lecturers from these institutions are a

regular feature of the programme and students frequently visit

the institutions.

With a view to further developing practical and professional

skills, students may also benefi t from the LL.M. (Adv.)

Internship Programme. The number and duration of

internships vary, although each year around fi ve to ten

students are institutionally endorsed in their applications

for intern positions at institutions such as the International

Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the Permanent

Court of Arbitration, the Organisation for the Prohibition of

Chemical Weapons, and law fi rms.

Ni Haifeng: ‘Equilibrium’, symbolising the balance between legal practice (the sword) and academic doctrine (the books)

Professor Carsten StahnProgramme Director Public International Law, Leiden Law School

‘There is almost no day without legal news from The Hague or fresh developments in international law. Drawing on on a global student body and faculty, this programme seeks to connect new generations

of international lawyers to the legal and real life challenges in this dynamic fi eld.’


Specialisation International Criminal Law:

• Advanced International Criminal Law

• International Criminal Litigation

The programme consists of the following courses:

General Courses:

• Public International Law: Capita Selecta

• International Institutional Law

• International Criminal Law

• International Dispute Settlement

• International Humanitarian Law

• International Protection of Human Rights

• Privatissimum: UN Peacekeeping

Specialisation Peace, Justice and Development:

• International Relations

• International Economic Law and Sustainable Development

Arielle Silverstein, IsraelAssociate Legal Offi cer at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)

‘Studying in Leiden has opened up many exciting avenues for me that would otherwise not have been possible. The LL.M. (Adv.) Public International Law has provided me with the right tools and specifi c

knowledge to be admitted fi rst as an intern at the War Crimes Chamber in Sarajevo, and later as an Associate Legal Offi cer, working for the ICTY.’

One wall of the Law School’s ceremonial room in the Academy Building is adorned with portraits of several of the Law School’s professors.


Advanced LL.M. programme in Air and Space LawThe Advanced Studies programme in Air and Space Law

provides an international and European perspective on public

air law, private air law and space law. It is one of only a few

programmes in the world offering this kind of specialisation,

and is embedded in the Law School’s renowned International

Institute for Air and Space Law. The programme is specifi cally

designed for graduates and legal practitioners pursuing careers

in law fi rms or in consulting fi rms engaged in aviation and

space law practice, legal departments of airports and airlines,

aerospace companies, civil aviation authorities or ministry

of transportation authorities, and international, regional and

national organisations. With a view to further developing

practical and professional skills, students benefi t from the

LL.M. (Adv.) Internship Programme. Both a full-time and

distance learning version (for professionals) of the programme

are offered.

The programme consists of seven courses (some including

practicals), an internship and a thesis:

• Public Air Law

• Private Air Law

• Internal Moot Court Competition in Private Air Law

• Air Transport Competition Law and Policy

• European Aerospace Law

• Space Law & Policy

• Space Law & Policy: Case Studies

Mildred Troegeler, GermanyResident fellow, European Space Policy Institute

‘The LL.M. programme strikes the right balance between academic rigour and real-world applicability by exploring different, interlinked areas of aviation and space law and looking beyond its purely legal aspects. Besides academic excellence

and direct contact with leading experts, the programme provides you with the opportunity to build a professional and personal network all over the world.’

Professor Pablo Mendes de LeonProgamme Director Air and Space Law, Leiden Law School

‘The programme pays attention to all legal aspects of air and space law and policy in a varied and multi-faceted programme in which modern teaching and research methods are applied. The programme

has a global reach in more than one respect; it is devoted to the study of this multilateral fi eld of law, whereas its participants come from all parts of the globe, as do their teachers.’


The programme consists of the following courses and a thesis:

• Fundamentals of International Tax Law

• Tax Treaties

• Transfer Pricing Rules in International Tax

• EC Tax Law

• International Estate Taxation

• Customs Duties and Excise Taxes

• US International Tax Law

• International Tax Planning

• Thesis International Tax Law

In addition, students must choose between one of the

following two courses:

• US Domestic Tax Law

• Value Added Tax Law

Advanced LL.M. programme in International Tax LawThis programme has been designed to provide indepth

training for lawyers with an economics background and

economists with a legal orientation who are interested in

expanding their knowledge of the theory and practice of

international tax law. The emphasis of the programme

is on tax treaties, transfer pricing and EU tax law issues.

International tax law is an area that is still only partially

covered in postgraduate law and economics programmes at

most universities, though its importance in both public and

private sectors has grown enormously in the past two decades.

At Leiden, tax law has long been a prominent area of teaching

and research. In 1986, Leiden University created the fi rst chair

in the world exclusively for international tax law, and in 2001

the International Tax Center Leiden - located in a beautifully

restored landmark building alongside the Rapenburg - was

set up to accommodate the rapidly increasing interest in

teaching and research in international tax law. International

tax specialists from around the world teach this unique

programme, which can be followed full-time as well as on a

course-by-course basis.

Katri Aarnio, FinlandManager at KPMG Zürich

‘The Leiden International Tax LL.M. programme has an unparalleled reputation, and is able to attract distinguished academics as well as top international tax lawyers to lecture in their fi elds

of expertise, providing for a second-to-none learning experience for a multinational group of students. The teaching takes place in the state-of-the-art new International Tax Center building located in the centre of Leiden along the historic Rapenburg canal. Class sizes are small and there is a friendly and convivial atmosphere among the students.’

Professor Kees van RaadProgamme Director International Tax Law, Leiden Law School

‘There is never a dull moment in the world of an international tax lawyer: Developments take place much faster than in most other areas of law. I fi nd it enormously gratifying to contribute to the

international developments in the fi eld of cross-border taxation.’

Annual procession of faculty in academic regalia at the opening of the academic year


Recent prizes and awardsThere is a great deal of talent both amongst students and

faculty of the Leiden Law School, as is apparent from a

prestigious list of recent prizes and awards:

2010

• Leiden team wins Max Huber Award for Best Overall Score

at Telders International Law Moot Court Competition

• Common Market Law Review wins British & Irish

Association of Law Librarians’ Legal Journals Award

• Leiden Law student wins national ECHO Ethnic Talent

Award for most excellent, ambitious and socially involved

student

• Leiden Law PhD candidate wins Montesquieu Europe Prize

for best scientifi c article

• Professor John Dugard wins Gruber Justice Prize. He

stood up for the victims of apartheid, helping to challenge

apartheid laws and participating in the negotiation that led

to the adoption of a constitution based on human rights in

post-apartheid South Africa.

• Leiden team wins International Air Law Moot Court

Competition in Delhi, India

• Leiden team wins International Criminal Court Trial Moot

Court Competition as best Non-Native Speaking Team

• Leiden team wins Best Oralist prize in Philip Jessup

International Law Moot Court national rounds

2009• University of Cambridge awards Leiden Law Professor

Wijffels with honorary doctorate degree

• Professor of Law and former Minister of Economic Affairs/

EU Ambassador in Japan Laurens Jan Brinkhorst is awarded

Japanese national decoration of ‘Grand Cordon of the

Order of the Rising Sun’

• Professor Carsten Stahn is awarded the international

Ciardi Prize for his book ‘Law and Practice of International

Territorial Administration’

• Leiden team is runner up in Telders International Law Moot

Court Competition

2008• Leiden law student wins Max van der Stoel Prize for best

PhD dissertation in area of human rights law

• Leiden team wins Telders International Law Moot Court

Competition

• Leiden team wins national rounds of Philip Jessup

International Law Moot Court Competition

Leiden wins Telders International Law Moot Court Competition

On 12 April 2008, Leiden University’s international law team won the fi nals of the 31st Telders International Law Moot Court Competition.

LEIDEN AND THE MOOT COURT COMPETITIONS

Moot Court competition (Peace Palace, The Hague)


Applications for all programmes can be completed online.

Specifi c entry requirements per programme are given briefl y

below, but full details, including tuition fees and required

documentation, can be found on the Leiden University

website. law.leiden.edu/prospectivestudents

Leiden Law CoursesThe Leiden Law Courses are open to students who have

completed at least two years of academic education.

Depending on the course level, you may be expected to have a

higher level of related (academic) background knowledge.

law.leiden.edu/current-students/courses/llc.html

You need to demonstrate your profi ciency in English, prefe r ably

by means of an IELTS test (also acceptable are: TOEFL and the

Cambridge Certifi cate of Profi ciency in English).

Columbia Summer ProgramThe Columbia Summer Program is open to law students at

an advanced stage of their studies; or to law graduates who

are professionally active in the practice of law, industry,

commerce, government, international organisations or

related activities. The Columbia Summer Program has its

own website, from which applications can be made online:

columbiasummerprogram.org

Summer School on International Criminal LawGraduate law students, or those who are close to graduating,

and young professionals with an obvious interest in inter-

national criminal law can register by completing the regis-

tration form, which can be found at grotiuscentre.org

Please add your c.v., a list of the courses you have taken in

national and/or international (criminal) law, and a letter of

motivation. If you are a student, please also add proof of

your university registration.

LL.M. European Law and LL.M. Public International LawApplicants who have obtained a bachelor degree in Law (or

equivalent in the country where it was obtained) can apply for

entry. The English language requirements are the same as for

the Advanced Studies LL.M programmes.

Application and admission

The team of the Leiden Law School’s Offi ce for International Education. From left to right: Esther Sibbel, Magali Dirven, Wouter Oude Alink, Sheena Bruce, Els Lemaire


Advanced Studies LL.M. entry requirements• Full degree in Law, offering access to legal practice in the

country where it was obtained, from a recognised university

or Law School

• In special circumstances graduates from fi elds other than law

may be admitted, provided their previous studies included a

substantial legal component.

• Applications will also be considered from outstanding

candidates offering substantial evidence of a work history in

the legal profession.

• Proven English-language profi ciency, validated through

a TOEFL test (100 internet-based) or IELTS test (7.0),

occasionally complemented by a telephone interview.

Students who do not meet this level of English but who have

a minimum score of IELTS 6.0 or equivalent may be offered

a place on the programme on the condition that they attend

a one or two-month pre-sessional English course at Leiden

University.

• Information on full entry requirements, how to apply, tuition

fees, scholarships, visas, housing, FAQ’s, useful addresses can

be found at en.mastersinleiden.nl

Scholarships and fundingThere are a range of funding opportunities for top law

students. Leiden University has its own scholarship

programme, and also works with a wide range of (external)

scholarship and lending agencies.

Please visit en.mastersinleiden.nl for current information.

International students enjoy a boat ride on the Rapenburg canal


Leiden is located in the western part of the Netherlands, about

40 km south of Amsterdam. It is very conveniently situated in

terms of public transportation. The cities of Amsterdam, The

Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht are all just a short train journey

away, and Schiphol International Airport can be reached in

fi fteen minutes by train, Brussels and Paris are now only a

short train ride away on the high speed Thalys service (three

hours from Schiphol to Paris).

Leiden is a beautiful and historic city with many 17th

Century houses along its cobblestone streets. From the Burcht

(Leiden’s old fortress) there is an excellent view over the many

canals, church spires, narrow alleys, historic buildings and

private almshouses that defi ne Leiden. The city has excellent

bookstores and museums and a wide range of delightful cafés

and restaurants.

Leiden University does not have a central campus but is woven

into the city itself, especially the historic centre and close to

the Rapenburg, a beautiful canal along the banks of which the

University had its origins.

The Law School is located at the end of this 17th Century

canal, in the heart of the historic centre of Leiden.

HousingLeiden University mediates in fi nding housing for

international students. The university also advises on private

housing arrangements. Full information on university

managed accommodation, including room descriptions and

photos, can be found at studenthousing.leiden.edu

Sport facilitiesThe University’s sport centre offers extensive outdoor and

indoor facilities and classes, ranging from football, basketball,

tennis and rugby, to self-defence sports, sailing and ice skating.

Full information is available at services-facilities.leiden.edu/sport

Student l ife in Leiden

View of the courtyard from one of the international student houses


The most recent independent research assessment rated the

Law School with an overall grade of 4.5 (on a scale of 1 to 5) for

both the research institute and the research programmes. The

assessment, based on such criteria as relevance, productivity,

originality, content depth and international orientation, even

resulted in the highest score (5) for the International Law

research programme.

The Leiden Law School has six broad research programmes

within which all of our researchers work, also in collaboration

with international visiting researchers.

• Criminal Justice

• Coherent Private Law

• Limits of Tax Jurisdiction

• Reform of Social Regulation

• Securing the Rule of Law in a World of Multilevel Jurisdiction

• Social Cohesion, Multiculturalism and Globalisation

Also, the Law School has one specifi c ‘profi le area’: Interaction

between legal systems. It aims at understanding the complex

interaction between the various levels of jurisdiction and at

solving the resulting problems and questions.

Master Talent ProgrammeThe Talent Programme is an extracurricular incentive, offered

to outstanding students alongside their LL.M. or Advanced

Research

Law and Economy, Leiden Law School‘Measuring the effects of social policy is a tricky business, requir ing a creative combination of science, craft and art. When done well, it produces both truth and beauty. My inspiration is to motivate

others - researchers, policy makers, students - to apply empirical work themselves.’

Professor Koen Caminada

Master Talent Programme 2009-2010

Professor Janneke GerardsConstitutional and Administrative Law, Leiden Law School

‘The Leiden Law School provides a wonderful environment to conduct research into this challenging and diffi cult subjects. It is highly inspiring and stimulating to discuss with colleagues

from a variety of legal backgrounds and to work closely together with excellent researchers in the fi eld of interaction between legal orders. I could not think of a better place to work!’

Studies LL.M. degree programme. The Talent Programme

selects students, who have an interest in legal scientifi c

research, on the basis of academic merit. The aim is to equip

them with advanced research techniques during their Master’s

studies in order to provide them with a head start when

pursuing a PhD, or a profession requiring excellent research

skills. Further information can be found at

law.leiden.edu/research/talent-programme


SARFaL Research NetworkThe Leiden Law School is the founder and secretary of the

SARFaL network. SARFaL, the Strategic Alliance of Research

Faculties of Law is an active network of research-intensive

law faculties working together to facilitate and enhance

international research cooperation. It offers opportunities

for joint research, participation in conferences, cross-border

reviews of written material as well as research visits abroad by

senior researchers and PhD candidates. SARFaL consists of the

Universities of Aarhus, Barcelona, Bologna, Galway, Geneva,

Leiden, Leuven, Oslo, Oxford, Poitiers, Prague and Vienna.

Applicants who have graduated from one of the SARFaL partner universities are entitled to a reduction (10%) of the tuition fee for any of the four Master of Laws Advanced Studies programmes. This reduction would be in addition to any fee reduction to which an applicant may be entitled when in receipt of a Leiden Alumni bursary. Candidates should mention on the application form that they wish to apply for a SARFaL bursary. More information: sarfal.net

PhDThe highest academic degree awarded in the Netherlands is

that of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Earning a PhD at Leiden

takes about four years of study and consists of independent

and original research under the supervision of a professor. If

you wish to pursue a doctorate at Leiden University, you can

either respond to an advertised vacancy, if there are no suitable

openings, approach our Graduate School with a (detailed)

research proposal.

Professor Bob WesselsInternational Insolvency Law, Leiden Law School

‘After twenty years as a law professor in Amster-dam, and 12 years as a partner in an international law fi rm, I joined the Leiden Law School. My fi rst impression: Devoted staff, engaged education, fi ne

research output, a marvellous library and a very attractive study and living environment in the city of Leiden. Moreover, in my fi eld of research - comparative and international insolvency law - Leiden now is the only law school on the European continent that includes international insolvency law in its master’s programme. This results in an active student community which forms a bree-ding ground for inspiring and successful research.’

Professor Joanne van der Leun Criminology, Leiden Law School

‘I joined Leiden Law School as a sociologist actively engaged in criminological research. Being at Leiden really turned me into a criminologist. I enjoy working closely with criminal law scholars and discussing

normative and empirical issues. We are offering a stimulating research environment for PhD students, in particular for those who have an interdisciplinary training and who are attracted by the integration of criminology and criminal law.’

PhD graduation ceremony


Staff numbersProfessors 75Other academic staff 129PhD researchers 59 Student numbersDutch fi rst-year (propaedeuse) students 879Total Dutch graduates (LL.B. and LL.M.) 961 International students (undergraduate and postgraduate) 410

Undergraduate:Leiden Law Courses 130

Postgraduate:Intake regular LL.M. specialisations 135Intake advanced LL.M. programmes 145 ResearchDissertations 20Academic publications 554Other publications 479

FACTS ABOUT LEIDEN LAW SCHOOL

Latest fi gures at time of publication: November 2010

www.law.leiden.edu

Postal addressP.O. Box 95202300 RA LeidenThe Netherlands

Visiting addressSteenschuur 252311 ES LeidenThe Netherlands

T +31 (0)71 527 7512F +31 (0)71 527 7600E [email protected] November 2010

Leiden Law School

Relevant linkslaw.leiden.eduen.mastersinleiden.nlstudents.leiden.edugrotiuscentre.orgsarfal.netcolumbiasummerprogram.org

Documents

Leiden Law School The keys to