Faculty of Law

About our faculty

Established in 1988, the Faculty of Law (FdR) was the first faculty to offer its services at the University of Aruba. Since its establishment, more than 200 students have obtained their Master’s Degree in Aruban Law. A great number of these graduates have found employment in Aruba, while others have pursued further specialization in the Netherlands.

The Faculty of Law of the University of Aruba aims to provide Aruba with well-trained and highly qualified professionals in the area of Aruban law.

Academic programs

The Faculty of Law provides academic education and training for a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Aruban law. In contrast to law studies at large universities in the Netherlands, the Faculty of Law at UA offers small classes with personal attention for each student. The undergraduate program (Bachelor) is a three-year program, while the Master program is one year, with the possibility to specialize in two different profiles: Legal practice and; International Law, Regulation and Governance.

Undergraduate

Graduate

Study Resources and Downloads

For all downloads, including study guides, schedules, book lists and more, please use the button below.

Go to Study Resources

Research

The Faculty of Law of the University of Aruba conducts research and delivers services that benefit the Aruban society as a whole and the legal professional community in particular. The Faculty of Law conducts applied and scientific research in all legal fields. The faculty has its own research program, entitled ‘Rights, freedoms and principles of law in the Aruban context’. More detailed information about the research program can be found in our research repository

Faculty members publish their research findings in books and publications series like the SNAAR series. Next to that, they also publish in legal periodicals like the ‘Caribisch Juristenblad (CJB)’ and the ‘Nederlandse Juristen Blad (NJB)’. Students of the faculty are being encouraged to participate in research projects of the faculty members and do research of their own, for example when writing their thesis.

For more information about the faculty’s research and social services, please contact dean-of-law@ua.aw.

Research Program 2024-2029

View English version
View Dutch version

Research Repository

Wij werken graag samen met andere partners. Bent u geïnteresseerd in samenwerking, heeft u een specifieke onderzoeksopdracht of wilt u meer weten over ons onderzoeksprogramma en/of de expertise van onze medewerkers? Neem dan gerust contact op via dean-of-law@ua.aw

International opportunities

Students can complete part of the bachelor’s degree or master’s by following courses abroad.

The Faculty of Law collaborates with a number of foreign universities to organize exchange programs based on the Erasmus+ mobility program and other non-Erasmus exchange.

If you don’t study in Aruba but wish to take courses at the UA Faculty of Law, you might be eligible to do an exchange program at our university.

Contact the Office of International Affairs for more information

Vision and mission

Vision

Mission

Partner institutions

The Faculty of Law of the University of Aruba has exchange programs with a number of foreign universities on basis of the Erasmus+ program, such as Maribor University (Slovenia), University of Valladolid (Segovia, Spain) and KU Leuven (Belgium).

Explore our Partner Institutions

Faculty dean and vice-deans

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” ~ Martin Luther King

Faculty Staff

Mr. A. (Abida) Abarkan – Assistant Professor of General Law

Abida Abarkan has been a lecturer at our faculty since 2023. Her fields of expertise are General law and jurisprudence, international law, and European law. Next to that, Abida is part of our Educational Program Committee, the Exam Committee and the PR committee.

Email: abida.abarkan@ua.aw

Phone: (297) 526 2222

Background

Before joining the University of Aruba, Abida worked at The Hague University of Applied Sciences as a lecturer, as well as a Research Assistant at the Erasmus University Rotterdam (the Netherlands). Abida also worked as a Research Assistant at the Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law.

Abida obtained her LL.B. from the Erasmus University in Rotterdam (the Netherlands), followed by a successful completion of her LL.M. studies in international law and European law in the same university.

Education

Abida teaches the following courses:

Introduction to legal theory (Bachelor 1)
Legal and communication skills (Bachelor 1)
International law (Bachelor 2)
Introduction to Human Rights (Bachelor 3)

Research

As Abida’s interests lies in the field of General Law, international law and European law. Her research mostly focuses on migration law.

Some of her recent publications:

A. Abarkan (2024, forthcoming) Breach of Article 3 ECHR: research into the deportation of asylum seekers from Venezuela by Aruba.

A full overview of her research and publications can be found via this link

Mr. dr. C. (Carlos) Bollen – Dean and Associate Professor of Private Law

Carlos joined the Faculty of Law of the University of Aruba in 2007 as associate professor in Private law. Next to that, he acts as the dean of the faculty. He is also study advisor of the faculty. Carlos also has tasks regarding the university wide wellbeing program (Shoco Wellness) and he takes part in the committee that discusses criteria for the program with law professionals.

His fields of expertise are Patrimonial law, especially Aruban, Dutch and comparative contract law and consumer law.

Email: carlos.bollen@ua.aw

Phone: (297) 526 2220

Background

Carlos studied law at Maastricht University (the Netherlands) and Lancaster University (England). He previously worked at Maastricht University as PhD student (1994-2000) and as assistant professor (2000-2007).

Education

Carlos teaches the courses:

Arubaans verbintenissenrecht (ba 2)
Arubaans arbeidsrecht (ba 2)
Capita verbintenissenrecht (ma)

Research

In June 2002, Carlos defended his PhD-thesis, titled ‘Onverschuldigde betaling door de overheid. Een onderzoek naar terugvordering door de overheid en het gebruik van privaatrecht daarbij’ (Undue payment by the government. A research on the use of private law with respect to recovery of undue payments by the government). He has been a member on several legislative commissions since that advised on and prepared major revisions of the Aruban Civil Code. He has published in national and international journals and books.

Carlos is a member of the editorial board of the Caribisch Juristenblad (Caribbean Law Review) and the SNAAR-series, a series of books published by Boom Juridische uitgevers on the law in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Some of his recent publications include:

W. van Boom, B. Akkermans, C. Bollen, T. de Graaf, S. van Gulijk, C. Jansen, C. Klaassen, M. Loos, C. Pavillon, R. Rijnhout, H. Schelhaas & M. Snel (eds.), Vooruitgedenkboek Burgerlijk Wetboek 1992-2022, Den Haag: Boom Juridisch 2023 ISBN: 978-94-6212-790-6.
C. Bollen (2023), Ambtshalve toetsing van algemene voorwaarden in consumentenovereenkomsten?, Caribisch Juristenblad, 2023-06 | Journal article, Part of ISSN: 2211-3266.

A full overview of his research and publications can be found via this link

Mr. dr. Ruth Bonnevalle-Kok – Associate Professor of Criminal Law and Law of Criminal Procedure

Ruth Bonnevalle-Kok joined the University of Aruba in 2017. Her fields of expertise are Aruban Criminal Law and the Law of Criminal Procedure and International Criminal Law.

Ruth Bonnevalle-Kok served as Dean of the Law faculty from academic year 2020-2021 until June 2024. Since 2019, she serves as a Member of the Supervisory Board of the Korrektie Instituut Aruba (KIA). In addition, she participates in the steering committee “Implementatie Wetboek van Strafvordering van Aruba 2024” of the Aruban Public Prosecutor (OM). In this capacity, she provided courses to over 250 legal professionals from the Caribbean region in both Aruba and Curaçao in 2024. Finally, Ruth serves as a substitute Member of the LAR Bezwaarschriftencommissie since November 2023.

Email: ruth.bonnevalle@ua.aw

Phone: (297) 526 2222

Background

Ruth obtained her Law degree from Leiden University (the Netherlands) in 2000. As part of her studies, she worked as a Legal Intern at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in 2019. She started her career as a PhD candidate at the University of Amsterdam, resulting in her doctoral thesis entitled “Statutory Limitations in International Criminal Law” (The Hague: Asser Press/Cambridge University Press 2007). Ruth pursued her career within the judiciary in The Netherlands, starting at the International Crimes Unit of the Office of the Examining Magistrate at the District Court in The Hague. From 2008-2016, she served as a Member of the Legal Research Office (Section Criminal Law) of the Supreme Court of The Netherlands. She served as a Substitute Judge at the district courts of both Alkmaar and Amsterdam from 2011-2015. From 2014 until 2016, the Supreme Court granted her leave to serve as a Senior Legal Advisor at the Afdeling International Rechtshulp in Strafzaken (AIRS) at the Ministry of Security and Justice of the Netherlands. Afterwards, Ruth moved to Aruba and started working at the University of Aruba.

Education

Ruth Bonnevalle-Kok teaches the following courses:

Introduction to Aruban Criminal Law and Law of Criminal Procedures (Bachelor 1)
Aruban Criminal Law and Criminal Procedures Law (Bachelor 2)
Advanced Criminal Law (Bachelor 3)
International Criminal Law (Master)
OM Nationale Requireerwedstrijd

Research

In 2007, Ruth received her Ph.D. from Amsterdam University for her doctoral thesis entitled “ Statutory Limitations in International Criminal Law” (The Hague: Asser Press/Cambridge University Press 2007). Ruth Bonnevalle-Kok was a Vice-Editor-in-Chief of the Hague Journal of International Law for over ten years (2007-2020). Her research interests lie in Aruban Law of Criminal Procedure and international/interinsular Criminal Procedure. Ruth also quarterly writes for the Caribisch Juristenblad.

Some of her recent publications include:

R. Bonnevalle-Kok (draft 2024), Wettenbundel Wetboek van Strafvordering/Wetboek van Strafrecht, Bogota: Panamericana
R. Bonnevalle-Kok & V. Latour (2022), Medisch Onderzoek (FMO) in geval van kindermishandeling en gewelds-en zedenmisdrijven tegen minderjarigen; een rechtsvergelijkend onderzoek tussen Nederland en Aruba, in: Boom Strafblad 2022, nr. 6, pp. 228-231.
F. Koenraadt, E. Kolthoff, G. Pesselse & E. Stamhuis (2022), Strafrecht op Arubaanse maat, in: Proces, Tijdschrift voor strafrechtspleging 101, 5-6, pp. 322-332.
R. Bonnevalle-Kok (2022), Verjaring van oorlogsmisdrijven gepleegd in Nederlands-Indië De Wet van 1971 inzake de opheffing van verjaring oorlogsmisdaden en misdaden tegen de menselijkheid in het licht van het NIOD-onderzoek naar de onafhankelijkheidsstrijd in Nederlands-Indië, Nederlands Juristenblad, 2022/16, pp. 1266-1270

A full overview of Ruth’s publications can be found via this link

Mr. dr. B. (Benedicta) Deogratias – Vice-dean of Research & Assistant Professor of General Legal Theory & Practice

Benedicta is a researcher and lecturer of general law at the Law Faculty of the University of Aruba since March 2020. Her fields of interest are: Methods in Empirical Legal Research, Human Rights Law, Women’s rights, and Law and Religion.

Benedicta is the exchange coordinator of the faculty. Next to that, she is the coordinator of the Tienda di Ley of the Faculty of Law and she serves as Vice-dean of Research.

Email: benedicta.deogratias@ua.aw

Phone: (297) 526 2225

Background

Previously, Benedicta worked at Maastricht University (the Netherlands) as a part time lecturer and researcher. Benedicta obtained her LL. B degree in European Law School and LL.M degree in Globalization and Law from Maastricht University in 2012 and 2013 respectively. In 2019 she defended her PhD thesis “ Trapped in a religious marriage: A human rights perspective on the phenomenon of marital captivity”’ which was awarded the Feministisch cultuurfonds Gender & Wetenschap dissertation award.

Education

Benedicta will be teaching the following courses:

Introduction to legal theory (Bachelor 1)
Moot court (Bachelor 3)
Introduction to Human Rights (Bachelor 3)
Human Rights Research Clinic (Master)

Research

Benedicta’s research focuses predominantly on human rights topics related to women’s rights, social inequalities and racial discrimination. In 2019, she obtained her PhD at Maastricht University titled: Trapped in a religious marriage: A human rights perspective on the phenomenon of marital captivity.

Currently, Benedicta is conducting, in cooperation with partners from the CBHRI, University of Curaçao, University of Sint-Maarten and the University of Utrecht, a ZonMW funded research project on the social and human rights consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic titled ‘Upholding Human Rights in a Pandemic: The social Impact of the COVID-19 Measures on Vulnerable Families in Curaçao, Aruba and St. Maarten.’

Some of her recent publications include:

B. Deogratias et al. (2024), ‘COVIDCAS Research into the resilience of Dutch Caribbean Societies – Final report’, Curaçao Biomedical Research Institute
B. Deogratias & S. Rutten (2020), ‘VWS rapport’, De eer gekeerd : Een verkennend onderzoek naar de rol van de extended family bij de aanpak van eergerelateerd geweld in verschillende Europese landen’, Maastricht University: Maastricht 2020.
B. Deogratias (2020), Trapped in a religious marriage: A Human rights perspective on the on the phenomenon of marital captivity, Intersentia: Antwerpen 2020.
B. Deogratias, A. Osuna & C. Eugene (2023), COVID-CAS, a story of resilience – The educator, short video
B. Deogratias, A. Osuna & J. Mora (2023), COVID-CAS, a story of resilience – The Care taker, short video
B. Deogratias, A. Osuna & A. Theis (2023), COVID-CAS, a story of resilience – The community Member, short video

A full overview of Benedicta’s research and publications can be found via this link

Mr. M. (Miranda) Gielen – Assistant Professor of Private Law

In 2006, after graduating at the Faculty of Law of our university, Miranda Gielen joined our team as a lecturer. Her fields of expertise are in Aruban and Dutch Civil Law, and Aruban and Dutch Family Law. Miranda is our thesis coordinator, as well as internship coordinator of our faculty.

Email: miranda.gielen@ua.aw

Phone: (297) 526 2224

Background

Before joining the faculty of law, Miranda worked in primary education in Egypt, the Netherlands and Aruba for eighteen years.

Education

Miranda teaches the following courses:

Introduction to Private Law (Bachelor 1)
Persons and Family Law (Bachelor 3)
International Family Law (Bachelor 3)

Research

Miranda’s research focuses mostly on Aruban family law. On the occasion of the revision of the Aruban Civil Code in 2021, Miranda compiled a law book in which she compared the Aruban family law legislation (book 1 Civil Code) with the same legislation of Curaçao, St. Maarten, the Netherlands and the islands of Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius (BES islands).

Some of her recent publications include:

M. Gielen (2023), De betekenis van het concordantiebeginsel in het Caribische familierecht, Tijdschrift Familie en Jeugdrecht (FJR), 2023-12.
Het Arubaans Burgerlijk Wetboek 2021: boek 1: Personen- en familierecht, Boom Juridische Uitgeverij, 2022 | Book
M. Gielen (2022), Het personen- en familierecht in rechtsvergelijkend perspectief, Tijdschrift Familie en Jeugdrecht (FJR), 2022-12.

A full overview of Miranda’s research and publications can be found via this link

Mr. B. (Brechtje) Huiskes – Assistant Professor of Constitutional and Administrative Law

brechtje huiskes vice dean faculty of law fdr university of aruba ua

Brechtje Huiskes joined our team in 2021. Her fields of expertise are amongst others Aruban Constitutional Law and Administrative Law. Brechtje is a member of our Educational Program Committee, as well as member of the Tienda di Ley committee of the faculty. She also serves as Vice-President of the complaints committee of the General Practitioners Association Aruba (HAVA klachtencommissie) and Secretary of the Foundation for Post Academic Education.

Email: brechtje.huiskes@ua.aw

Phone: (297) 526 2221

Background

Brechtje obtained her Bachelor and Masters degree in Dutch Law from Maastricht University (the Netherlands) in 2012, with a specialization in both Criminal Law and Criminal, Civil and Administrative Procedure. During that year she also obtained a joint Master degree in International Criminal Law from Columbia University (New York, United States) and the University of Amsterdam (the Netherlands). She also participated in a year-long Erasmus exchange program at the University Paris I: Panthéon-Sorbonne (France).

Brechtje previously worked as attorney at law at VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne in Curaçao and Aruba from 2013 up to 2020, specializing in corporate law, corporate governance and aircraft registrations. In 2020 she worked as legal specialist in real estate transactions at Johnson Notary Services.

Education

Brechtje teaches the following courses:

Aruban Constitutional and Administrative Law (Bachelor 2)
International Law (Bachelor 2)
Extraordinary Administrative Law (Master)

Research

Brechtje is currently working on research that focuses on accountability of political actors in small island states.

Some of her recent publications include:

B. Huiskes (draft 2023) Ensuring Equal Human Rights Enjoyment and Protection in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Society for Caribbean Studies 2023 Conference, Conference abstract

A full overview of Brechtje’s research and publications can be found via this link

Mr. dr. N.C. (Chun) Luk – Vice-dean of Education and Assistant Professor in Private Law

Chun Luk has been Assistant Professor in Private Law at the University of Aruba since March 2022. As of September 2024, Chun serves as the Vice-dean of Education of the Law faculty.

Chun’s fields of expertise are in asylum and migration law, human rights law, nationality law and European citizenship.

Email: chun.luk@ua.aw

Phone: (297) 526 2227

Background

Previously, Chun worked at the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels, conducting research on topics related to the EU Area of Freedom, Security and Justice. Chun obtained his LL.M. in Aruban Law at the University of Aruba in 2012, as well as an LL.M. in International Laws at Maastricht University in 2014, during which he participated in study exchange programmes at the University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong) and the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona). He obtained his PhD in Law at Maastricht University in 2017.

Education

Chun Luk teaches the following courses:

Aruban Property Law (Goederenrecht) (Bachelor 3)
Aruban Insolvency Law (Faillissementsrecht) (Bachelor 3)
Introduction to Human Rights (Bachelor 3)

Research

Chun has published on and is interested in topics of asylum and migration law, human rights law, nationality law and European citizenship. In 2017, he obtained his PhD in Law at Maastricht University after successfully defending his thesis entitled “Diaspora status and citizenship rights: A comparative-legal analysis of the quasi-citizenship schemes of China, India and Suriname”.

He is moreover interested in research in the other field of law, including Aruban property law, legal issues of small island jurisdictions in regional and international perspectives, and copyright law.

Some of his recent publications include:

European Union Policies on Onward and Secondary Movements of Asylum-seekers and Refugees, Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), 2022-03 | Report
Limitations on Human Mobility in Response to COVID-19, Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), 2021-12 | Report
In the name of COVID, European Parliament, 2020-09 | Report | Writing – original draft

A full overview of his research and publications can be found via this link

Mr. J.H. (Hannah) Meijer – Assistant Professor Constitutional and Administrative Law

Hannah Meijer joined the Faculty of Law in 2023 as a lecturer in Constitutional and Administrative Law. Her fields of expertise include constitutional law and administrative law and public administration.

Hannah is Chair of the Exam Committee.

Email: hannah.meijer@ua.aw

Phone: (297) 526 2221

Background

Previously, Hannah worked at the University of Groningen (the

Netherlands). First as a policy advisor and from 2021 onwards, she had a lecturer position there. She taught courses on Dutch constitutional law, administrative law and comparative constitutional law.

Hannah holds a Masters degree in Dutch constitutional law and administrative law, as well as a Masters degree in Law and Public Administration from the University of Groningen. She undertook part of her studies at the Australian National University.

Education

Hannah teaches the following courses:

Introduction to legal theory (Bachelor 1)
Introduction to Aruban Constitutional and Administrative Law (Bachelor 1)
International Law (Bachelor 2)
Capita Administrative Law (Bachelor 3)

Research

Hannah’s research interests lie in comparative constitutional law. Her current research focuses specifically on Kingdom affairs and the position of the different countries and municipalities within the Kingdom of the Netherlands when they want to collaborate on performing public tasks

Some of her recent publications:

J.H. Meijer (2024), Regie in de rijkswetgevingsprocedure: Nederland boven, book chapter.
J.H. Meijer (2022), Case note: Rechtbank Rotterdam, Belanghebbendheid aanwijzigingsbesluit mondkapjesplicht. (Te) Ruim bij inbreuk fundamenteel recht?, ECLI:NL:RBROT:2021:12796, AB 2022/320, 2509-2515.

A full overview of Hannah’s research and publications can be found via this link

Mr. drs. M.A. (Michella) van Loon – Assistant Professor of Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure

Michella has been affiliated with the faculty since March 2025. As an alumna, she has, among other things, conducted research on behalf of an external client and was actively involved in the legal clinic, Tienda di Ley.

Email: michella.vanloon@ua.aw

Phone: (297) 526 2227

Background

Michella van Loon obtained her Master’s degree in History in 1998 from Utrecht University and has extensive experience teaching history and civics at various secondary education levels. She has held several leadership roles in education, including Principal of the Evening HAVO/VWO and Principal of Colegio Arubano, the largest HAVO/VWO school in Aruba. In September 2024, she completed a law degree at the University of Aruba. Other previous roles include positions at the Directorate of Foreign Affairs in the Legal Affairs and Treaties Division, and as a member of the Children’s Rights Committee of Aruba. She’s a regular guest speaker at the youth parliament.

Education

Michella van Loon teaches the following courses:

Introduction to Aruban Criminal Law and Law of Criminal Procedure (Bachelor 1)
Aruban Criminal Law and Criminal Procedures Law (Bachelor 2)
Advanced Criminal Law (Bachelor 3)

N. (Nicole) Habibe – Administrative Assistant

In 2023, Nicole joined our faculty. She will be assisting the staff with all the administrative workload. Before joining us, Nicole worked at a renowned accounting firm and later decided to switch fields and worked at a law firm. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance at the University of Central Florida.

You can contact Nicole via email, for example when you are unable to find certain information on our website, or if you are unsure whom to approach if you have a request to the (lecturers of the) faculty of law or a question about our study programs.

Email: nicole.habibe@ua.aw

Prof. mr. dr. H.E. (Herman) Bröring – Honorary Professor of Constitutional and Administrative Law

Herman Bröring has been one of our guest lecturers since 2011. In 2021, he was appointed as honorary professor of Constitutional and Administrative Law at the faculty. His fields of expertise include constitutional and administrative law of Aruba and the Netherlands. More specifically his interests are in public organization law, decision-making, soft law and administrative law, especially norm-making (legislation; administrative rules; guidelines, protocols) and law enforcement (administrative coercion, penalty payments and fines).

Next to teaching at the university of Aruba, Herman gives post academic courses for, inter alia, the judicature and civil servant trainee education programs.

Herman also works as professor of Administrative Law at the University of Groningen. Next to that, he is a member of several management, supervision and objections committees. He is deputy chairman of The Netherlands Board on Research Integrity (LOWI, Amsterdam) and a member of the committee ‘Verschillen’ (unequal treatment of mining damage in Groningen).

Email: h.e.broring@rug.nl

Phone : (297) 526 2220

Background

In 1983 Herman E. Bröring (1959, Stadskanaal, the Netherlands) graduated in Dutch law (public, private and social-economic law). From 1982 till 1985 he was researcher environmental and procedural law at the University of Groningen, and from 1985 till 1993 he became assistant professor administrative law. After his doctor’s degree in 1993, he became associate professor administrative law. From 2002 till 2009 he was director of the Research institute / graduate school of the law faculty at the University of Groningen. Since 2003 Bröring was full professor Integrative Law studies, since 2018 he holds the chair Administrative Law at the University of Groningen.

Education

Herman will be teaching the following courses:

Capita Administrative Law (Bachelor 3)
Extraordinary Administrative Law (Master)

Research

The PhD-thesis of prof. Bröring (Groningen 1993, cum laude; Amsterdam 1995, Stibbe Award) concerns a category of soft public law: non-statutory rules, quasi-legislation, administrative rules, policy rules, codes of practice, guidelines, et cetera. Since, his research focused on different aspects in the field of administrative law, also concerning the Caribbean countries and territories of the Kingdom of The Netherlands.

Prof. Bröring participates in the editorial board of, inter alia, JBplus (chair, Sdu) and Module algemeen bestuursrecht (member, Wolters Kluwer).

Some of his recent publications include:

H.E. Broring & L.M. Koenraad (2023), Case note: Gerecht in Eerste Aanleg van Curaçao 3 mei 2023, USZ 2023/192, ECLI:NL:OGEAC:2023:103. Art. 1:2 Awb. Belanghebbende. Afgeleid belang. Verwevenheidcorrectie. Excessief formalisme.
Inaugural speech: Goed voorbeeld doet goed volgen? Enkele opmerkingen over concordantie en legal transplants. Also see ‘2 buitengewoon hoogleraren aanvaarden ambt met oratio’, Amigoe 3 maart 2022, Mr-online: Herman Bröring over het Pokopokobeginsel, and Installation at the University of Aruba,
Herman Bröring, Eric Mijts, Language Planning and Policy, ‘Law and (Post)Colonial Relations in Small Island States: A Case Study’, Social Inclusion 2017, Volume 5, Issue 4, p. 29-37.

A full overview of his publications and activities can be found via this link

Prof. mr. dr. G. R. (René) de Groot – Honorary Professor of Private Law

René de Groot was appointed as Honorary professor of Private Law at our faculty in 2007. His fields of expertise include Private International Law, Comparative Law, Nationality Law, and Legal Translation.

De Groot is also Professor emeritus of Maastricht University in Comparative Law and Private International Law. Next to that, he is a Consortium member of the Global Citizenship Observatory (GLOBALCIT), co-Director of the Maastricht Centre for Citizenship, Migration and Development (MACIMIDE), and President of the Netherlands Comparative Law Association.

Email: r.degroot@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Phone: (297) 526 2220

Background

Gerard-René de Groot (born 1951) is a Professor emeritus of Maastricht University in Comparative Law and Private International Law. He studied law at University of Groningen (the Netherlands) and at the Westfälische Wilhelmsuniversität Münster (Germany). De Groot obtained the degrees Magister iuris and Doctorandus iuris at the University of Groningen and taught there between 1974–1982. He also obtained the degree of Doctor iuris at Maastricht University. In 1982 de Groot started to teach at Maastricht University and was subsequently appointed as a professor (retired in 2016). Since 2007 he has taught at the University of Aruba.

Education

René de Groot will be teaching the following courses:

Nationality Law (Master)
Comparative Private Law (Master)

Research

Gerard-René de Groot has published books and articles on nationality law, comparative law, private international law, legal translation and the protection of regional and minority languages, like Papiamento. As a Scientific Expert of the Council of Europe‘s Group of Specialists on Nationality, de Groot has participated in the efforts of the Council in the development of regional standards relating to the regulation of nationality. As nationality law is a ‘Kingdom affair’, most of his research is not only relevant for the Netherlands, but for Aruba as well.

De Groot also prepared the Background Papers for the two Expert Meetings convened by the United Nations High Commissioners for Refugees (UNHCR) on interpreting the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, i.e. on Avoiding Statelessness resulting from Loss and Deprivation of Nationality (Tunis, Tunisia, 31 October-1 November 2013) and Preventing Statelessness among Children (Dakar, Senegal, 23–24 May 2011).

Gerard-René de Groot was involved in the project on loss of nationality entitled Involuntary Loss of European Citizenship (ILEC) co-financed under the Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme of the European Union which led to the publication of the ILEC Guidelines Involuntary Loss of European Citizenship’ (2015) and other materials. Among others, de Groot has promoted the limitation and regulation of “quasi-loss” of nationality which is a withdrawal of nationality based on the change of nationality status and other causes which are not explicitly stipulated in the relevant laws.

Since December 2016, de Groot is a member of the Committee of Experts of the Council of Europe, monitoring the implementation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

Some of his recent publications include:

R. de Groot (2023), Artikelsgewijs op de Wet vaststellingsprocedure staatloosheid, in Groene Serie, editie Personen- en familierecht (onderdeel Nationaliteitsrecht), supplement september 2023, Deventer: Kluwer.
R. de Groot (2022), Latente Nederlanders revisited, Asiel-& Migrantenrecht 2022, p. 53-58.
R. de Groot (2022), Case note: Hof van Justitie Europese Unie 18 januari 2022, C-118/20, ECLI:EU:C:2022:34, Jurisprudentie Vreemdelingenrecht 2022/44, p. 309-323.

A full overview of his is available on request

Prof. mr. dr. E. F. (Evert) Stamhuis – Honorary Professor of Criminal Law and the Law of Criminal Procedure

Evert Stamhuis holds the chair for Criminal Law and Procedure of the University of Aruba since 2014. Before his appointment as professor, he served the university as a teacher and advisor from 1997 onwards. His teaching and research in Aruba cover topics of criminal law and procedure. His fields of expertise are Criminal Law, Criminal procedure law, Cybercrime, Law, data and AI.

In the Netherlands, Stamhuis holds a chair in Law & Innovation at the Erasmus School of Law in Rotterdam. Evert is also honorary member of the Court of Appeal (criminal section) ‘s Hertogenbosch.

Email: stamhuis@law.eur.nl

Phone: (297) 526 2220

Background

Evert Stamhuis completed his masters at the University of Groningen (the Netherlands) in 1982. Afterwards, in 1988, he obtained his PhD at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and worked at the University of Groningen. Later on, in 2006, he joined the Open Universiteit Nederland as chair Criminal Law and Procedure. Stamhuis was also a visiting scholar at the faculty of law at the Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand) and visiting professor at the University of Western Ontario Law School (Canada).

Education

Evert Stamhuis will be teaching the following courses:

Advanced Criminal Law (Bachelor 3)
Introduction to Criminal Law (Bachelor 1)
Remedies (Master)

Research

Evert’s research is on the interaction between law, governance and new technologies, with a special focus on the public domain, health care and regulated markets.

Some of his recent publications include:

A. Keuning & E.F. Stamhuis (2021), Het rechtsmiddel van verzet is wat waard, Caribisch Juristenblad 2021, vol 2.
E. Stamhuis, L. Evangelista, S. van der Voort, A.M. Mele, E. Spiller, E. Demir, A. Pin, K. Heine (2023), From bottleneck to enabler: a new approach to regulating data-driven medical research, Clinical and Translational Imaging, 2023-02-15 | Journal article.

A full overview of his publications can be found via this link

Prof. mr. dr. M. A. (Michiel) Heldeweg – Honorary Professor of General Legal Theory & Practice

Michiel Heldeweg is involved in teaching at the University of Aruba since 2010. His fields of expertise include Law, Governance & Technology, environmental law, legal governance of technological innovation (energy transition / robotics & drones), future proof regulation and institutional legal theory.

In the Netherlands, at the University of Twente, Heldeweg is a member (and former head) of the section of Governance & Technology for Sustainability (CSTM), Program director of the Master in Environmental and Energy Management (MEEM), and chairman of the Committee on Scientific Integrity. He is also a member of the Netherlands Institute of Governance (NIG), an associate senior member of the Ius Commune Research School (ICOS), a partner to the Netherlands Institute for Law and Governance (NILG), and leader of the European Sustainable Energy Innovation Alliance (Eseia) Working Group (4) on Energy Governance, Business Models and Legal Frameworks. Heldeweg’s main ancillary activity is that of honorary judge at the District Court of Overijssel (Administrative bench), the Netherlands.

Email: m.a.heldeweg@utwente.nl

Phone: (297) 526 2220

Background

Michiel A Heldeweg (1957) obtained his LL.M. (Dutch Public law) and MA (Law & Public Administration) at Groningen University (1985/1987), and his PhD at the University of Maastricht (1993) on safeguards concerning input of technical expertise in standard setting, particularly in environmental licensing. Since 2008 he is also a full professor of Law, Governance & Technology at the University of Twente (UT), the Netherlands. He was a temporary visiting professor to the Faculty of Law of the University of Sydney (Centre for Climate and Environmental law) and the Faculty of Law of Exeter University.

In the 1990’s, Heldeweg also taught Nederlands-Antilliaans Milieurecht (Dutch-Antillian Environmental Law) at the University of the Dutch Antilles, in Curaçao.

Education

Michiel will teach the following courses:

International Environmental Law (Master)

Next to that, professor Heldeweg will also be teaching at the faculty of Arts and Science. He teaches the course Environmental Law & Policy in the BSc. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics programme (SISSTEM).

Previously, Michiel Heldeweg has also taught International & European Law, and Law & Smart Regulation in the LLM programme of the Faculty of Law.

Research

Heldeweg’s research is focused on the (methodology of) legal design of smart & resilient rules & regimes fostering technological and governance innovation (‘future proof’), such as through experimental regulation, institutional change and smart regulatory governance (e.g. meta-regulation, principle- and risk-based rules, and public/private certification). His research relates especially to legal governance of the energy transition, such as in community energy initiatives, and to responsible development and use of robotics, such as drones. In his work, Heldeweg combines doctrinal legal study with regulatory and institutional (legal) theory.

Michiel Heldeweg is member of the editorial board of Competition and Regulation in Network Industries (CRNI), of the Journal Laws, and of the NILG book series on Market, Government & Law.

Some of his recent publications include:

Adebayo, A. , Lulofs, K. R. D. , & Heldeweg, M. A. (2023), Indicators, Strategies, and Rule Settings for Sustainable Public-Private Infrastructure Partnerships: From Literature Review Towards Institutional Designs. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(12), 1-26. Article 9422.
Lee, D., Hess, D. J. , & Heldeweg, M. A. (2022), Safety and privacy regulations for unmanned aerial vehicles: A multiple comparative analysis, Technology in society, 71, Article 102079.
Heldeweg, M. A. (2021), Looking beyond the horizon. A normative-institutional approach to sustainability science; getting onto ‘the balcony’, In S. Withaningsih, D. Supyandi, G. L. Utama, & A. D. Malik (Eds.), E3S Web of Conferences 249 (2021): 4th International Conference on Sustainability Science (CSS2020) (2021 ed., Vol. 249). Article 02001 (2021) EDP Sciences.

A full overview of his publications can be found via this link

Mr. W.J. (Willem Jan) Noordhuijzen

Willem Jan Noordhuizen teaches Civil Procedure as a guest lecturer at the University of Aruba since 2020. Willem Jan is a practicing lawyer in Aruba, handling complex civil matters as an advisor and litigator.

Willem Jan also serves as member of the Committee on the Supervision of Lawyers of Sint Maarten (Raad van Toezicht voor de Advocatuur) since 2019 and of Aruba since 2020 and, since 2019 he is an Extraordinary member of the Council of Advice of Sint Maarten (Raad van Advies).

Email: willemjan@dconlaw.com

Phone: (297) 526 2220

Background

Willem Jan Noordhuizen is a graduate of the Erasmus University of Rotterdam (the Netherlands), where he obtained a Master in Dutch Civil Law in 1989. He was admitted to the bar for the first time in 1989. Until 1996 he practiced law in Roermond, Netherlands after which he became a law clerk (gerechtsauditeur) for the Dutch Supreme Court (Hoge Raad der Nederlanden), section Civil Law which position he held until he was sworn in as a judge. Between 2000 and 2018 he sat on the bench of the Court of The Hague (Arrondissementsrechtbank ‘s Gravenhage), section Civil Law, the Court of Appeals of Amsterdam (Gerechtshof Amsterdam), section Civil Law and during two different periods, on the bench of the Joint Court of Justice of the Netherlands-Antilles and Aruba. As a judge Willem Jan Noordhuizen was also President of the Committee on the Supervision of Lawyers (Raad van Toezicht voor de Advocatuur).

Education

Willem Jan will be teaching the following course:

Civil Procedure (Bachelor 3)

Research

Willem Jan has co-authored a book on tenancy law (Nederlands-Antilliaans en Arubaans huurrecht, 2009), he is a co-founder and member of the editorial staff of the weekly magazine Kluwer Dutch civil law jurisprudence (Nederlandse Jurispruntie Feitenrechtspraak) since October 2003.

Mr. N. (Nicole) Duyvelshoff

Mrs. Nicole Duyvelshoff has been one of our guest Indrah joined the University of Aruba as a guest lecturer in 2024. Her expertise lies in (corporate) income tax compliance and payroll taxes, including expatriate compensation. She also has extensive experience in advisory, compliance, and planning related to the indirect taxes and general tax-law matters. With over 15 years of experience as an all-round tax practitioner, Indrah specializes in the tax systems of Aruba, the BES-Islands and Suriname. She currently works at HBN Law & Tax Aruba.

Email: nicole.duijvelshoff@ua.aw

Phone: (297) 526 2220

Background

Nicole studied at both the Erasmus University Rotterdam and Maastricht University (the Netherlands). Previously, she worked at Loyens & Loeff as a tax advisor in the Netherlands. Nicole has been working at Grant Thornton since 2011 and has more than 16 years of experience in both national and international taxation. Nicole advises on matters concerning profit tax, turnover tax, personal income tax, wage tax, social premiums, pension and formal tax.

Education

Nicole will be teaching the following courses:

Income Tax Law (Master)
Fiscal Aspects of Labour and Pension (Master)

Research

Nicole serves as the editor of the tax law bundle, a publication by Grant Thornton and has presented at several seminars on recent developments in legislation.

Mr. Indrah Maduro

Indrah joined the University of Aruba as a guest lecturer in 2024. Her expertise lies in (corporate) income tax compliance and payroll taxes, including expatriate compensation. She also has extensive experience in advisory, compliance, and planning related to the indirect taxes and general tax-law matters. With over 15 years of experience as an all-round tax practitioner, Indrah specializes in the tax systems of Aruba, the BES-Islands and Suriname. She currently works at HBN Law & Tax Aruba.

Email: indrah.maduro@hbnlawtax.com

Background

Indrah obtained her bachelor’s degree in Fiscal law and Economics from Fontys University of Applied Sciences in Eindhoven in 2008. After gaining experience as a tax advisor, she earned her master’s degree in Fiscal Law from Tilburg University in 2014.

Indrah has extensive experience providing training and workshops on several tax-related topics. She began her career in 2008 at a small Accountancy & Tax firm in the Netherlands and later gained further experience working for organizations such as Grant Thornton Aruba (formerly PwC Aruba) and EY Aruba.

Education

Together with Nicole Duijvelshoff, Indrah will be teaching the following courses:

Income Tax Law (Master)

Research

Indrah enjoys writing and publishing tax related articles and newsflashes.

For some of her publications, visit https://hbnlawtax.com/tax-instant-news/

Mr. M.S.E. (Martin) Herz

Martin Herz has been one of our lecturers since 2020. His fields of expertise are European and International Law, specifically European competition law.

Next to teaching at the University of Aruba, Martin works at Kenniscentrum Europa Decentraal, as legal advisor public procurement and digitalization.

Email: mseherz@proton.me

Phone: (297) 526 2220

Background

Before working at Kenniscentrum Europa Decentraal, Martin worked at the University of Groningen (the Netherlands) as Lecturer European Law and Competition Law, and PhD candidate. He obtained his LL.M. in Groningen as well, in 2014.

Education

Martin will be teaching the following course:

European Law (Bachelor 3)

Research

Martin is interested in European competition law. He is editor for the Oxford Competition Law National Case Reports.

Some of his recent publications include:

Hertz, M.S.E. & Lindeboom, J (2021), Mededingingsrecht, Book | ISBN: 9789462907980
Dekker, C & Herz, M.S.E. (2018), Online platforms als horizontale samenwerking – een mededingingsrechtelijk perspectief, Tijdschrift voor Internetrecht, IR 2018-3, 91

A full overview of his research can be found via this link.

Mr. dr. Elies van Sliedregt

Elies van Sliedregt is Professor of Criminal Law & Procedure at Tilburg University, the Netherlands. She joined the University of Aruba as a guest lecturer in 2025. Her research focuses on criminal law principles (individual criminal responsibility, presumption of innocence, principle of legality). She has a solid grounding in Dutch criminal law, but through her work in different jurisdictions and legal cultures, she adopts a comparative perspective to revisit and understand fundamental legal notions. She is an expert in international criminal law (ICL), which she approaches as an amalgamation of different legal systems and cultures. This allows her to contextualize and understand ICL concepts and translate them across different legal traditions.

Email: mseherz@proton.me

Phone: (297) 526 2220

Background

Elies van Sliedregt was appointed as professor of criminal law in 2007, at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She was Dean of the Faculty of Law from 2011 to 2015. From 2015-2021, she worked as professor of international criminal justice at the University of Leeds, UK. In 2022, upon her return to The Netherlands, she received an ERC Advanced Grant for the project Joined Up Justice – Building a Global Justice System at the Domestic Level. The project focuses on the interplay between international criminal law, refugee law and EU criminal law. Elies van Sliedregt was the 2015 Holding Redlich fellow at the Castan Center for Human Rights at Monash University, Melbourne and, in 2018, appointed as Fellow of McLaughlin College, York University, Toronto. She is member of the Royal Netherlands Academy for Arts and Sciences (KNAW), sits on the Advisory Committee on Public International Law (CAVV) and is a trustee of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL).

Education

Elies will be teaching the following courses:

Introduction to Aruban Criminal Law and Law of Criminal Procedure (Bachelor 1)
Aruban Criminal Law and Criminal Procedures Law (Bachelor 2)
Advanced Criminal Law (Bachelor 3)

Research

Recent research publications of Elies include:

van Sliedregt, E. (2025), The future of international criminal justice is corporate, Journal of International Criminal Justice, Article, Advance online publication.
Van Sliedregt, E. (2025), De strafrechtelijke aansprakelijkheid van rechtspersonen voor internationale misdrijven, Delikt en Delinkwent 2025/6, p. 75-86.
van Sliedregt, E., Robinson, D., Oosterveld, V. & Vasiliev, S. (2024), An introduction to international criminal law and procedure, 5th ed. Cambridge: CambridgeUniversity Press.
van Sliedregt, E. (2024), Blog: A new ICC policy on complementarity? Let’s fast forward to universal jurisdiction allocation, 12 Aug 2024.
van Sliedregt, E. (2023), Uitzonderlijk Strafrecht, inaugural lecture, Tilburg University 31 March 2023.

Mr. R.A. (Rafiek) Dinmohamed

Rafiek Dinmohamed joined the University of Aruba as a part-time lecturer in 2024. His teaching focuses on criminal (procedural) law, drawing from over 17 years of professional experience within the Aruba Police Force. Since 2024, he has held the position of coordinator of the Interinsular Information Coordination Platform (IICP), where he leads intelligence operations aimed at combating transnational crime in the Dutch Caribbean. Rafiek combines academic insight with extensive field experience in law enforcement and intelligence.

Email: rafiek.dinmohamed@ua.aw

Police Contact: radinmohamed@kparuba.com

Background

Rafiek earned his Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree cum laude from the University of Aruba in 2023.

Education

Rafiek will be teaching the following courses:

Introduction to Legal Theory (Bachelor 1)
Moot Court (Bachelor 3)
Advanced Criminal Law (Bachelor 3)

Mr. R. (Remy) Gaarthuis

Remy Gaarthuis is one of our guest lecturers since 2024. His fields of expertise are Substantive Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Criminal sanctions and Caribbean Criminal Law. He is interested in the relationship between criminal law and (mental) healthcare.

Next to teaching at the University of Aruba, Remy works at the ‘Willem Pompe Institute for Criminal Law and Criminology’ of the University of Utrecht and is deputy judge at the Amsterdam District Court.

Email: remy.gaarthuis@ua.aw

Background

Previously, Remy worked as a public prosecutor in the Noord-Holland district in the Netherlands. Before that, Remy worked at the University of Aruba as one of our lecturers in Criminal Law. He obtained his PhD in 2019, titled ‘Tussen pragmatiek en dogmatiek’ at the University of Groningen.

Education

Remy will be teaching the following course:

Criminal Sanctions Law (Master)

Research

The research conducted by Remy Gaarthuis focuses on the intersection of criminal justice and mental healthcare, particularly on the legal possibilities for diverting individuals with mental disorders and disruptive behavior, who come into contact with law enforcement and the judiciary, from the criminal justice system to (mandatory) regular mental healthcare services.

Some of his recent publications include:

Gaarthuis, R. (2024), (Door)zorg in detentie, in: B. Van der Vorm (Ed.), Strafrechtelijke criminologie II: Een thematische verdieping in de relatie tussen criminologie en strafrecht (pp. 285-303). Boom Juridisch.

Prof. mr. dr. J. (Jos) Hamers

Jos Hamers has been one of our guest lecturers since 2008. Next to that, he works as Professor of Corporate Law and National & Interregional Legal Entity and Partnership Law at the Maastricht University (the Netherlands).

Email: j.hamers@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Phone: (297) 526 5220

Background

After graduating from Maastricht University, Jos Hamers became assistant and afterwards lecturer at the Maastricht University in 1993. Next to being actively involved in education, he was also part of the Faculty Council and Faculty Board. Since 2021, he is the Chair of Private Law at Maastricht University.

Education

Jos will be teaching the following courses:

Corporate and Insolvency Law (Bachelor 3)
Advanced Corporate Law (Master)

Research

In 1996, Jos Hamers obtained his PhD with the title “Verpanding van aandelen en de beslotenheid van kapitaalvennootschappen. Een beschouwing over het leerstuk der verpanding van aandelen in relatie tot enkele vennootschapsrechtelijke aspecten”.

Part of his current research focuses on the Caribbean. Together with limited liability companies, partnerships (including partnership firms and limited partnerships) make up the majority of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Netherlands. Partnerships also play a major role in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.

On 1 January 2012 Curaçao introduced a new law for partnerships which is quite different to the Dutch law. In Aruba, a new legal system for partnerships came into force as of the first of September 2021. Both regulations are very different from the current Dutch regulation. Moreover, neither the new rules in Curaçao nor the law for Aruba are in sync with the current proposals for new regulations on partnerships in the Netherlands.

The same goes for Book 2 of the Aruban Civil Code (legal entity law): not only the wording of this code but also its content diverge in significant ways from the Dutch Civil Code. These developments raise questions about uniformity that Jos will research. How are decisions by the Supreme Court of the Netherlands to be interpreted and applied in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom?

Next to this, Jos is member of the editorial board of the Tijdschrift voor ondernemingsbestuur at Uitgeverij Paris.

Some of his recent publications include:

Hamers, J. J. A. & Frielink, K. (2023), Rechtspersonen en personenvennootschappen: terugkijken en vooruitzien vanuit Caribisch perspectief in: Boom, W., Akkermans, B., Bollen, C., de Graaf, T., van Gulijk, S., Jansen, C., Klaassen, C., Loos, M., Pavillon, C., Rijnhout, R., Schelhaas, H. & Snel, M. (eds.), Vooruitgedenkboek Burgerlijk Wetboek 1992-2022, Den Haag: Boom Juridisch
Bollen, C. & Hamers, J. J. A. (2022), Burgerlijk Wetboek van Aruba: inclusief overgangsrecht, Studiereeks Nederlands-Antilliaans en Arubaans Recht (SNAAR), Vol. 45, Den Haag: Boom Juridisch
Hamers, J. J. A. (2021), Nederlands Caribisch Personenvennootschapsrecht, Studiereeks Nederlands-Antilliaans en Arubaans Recht (SNAAR), Vol. 38, 2 ed. Den Haag: Boom Juridisch

A full overview of his research can be found via this link.

Prof. mr. dr. A. (Anselm) Kamperman Sanders

Anselm Kamperman Sanders is one of our guest lecturers and teaches Intellectural Property Law. He is Professor of Intellectual Property Law and Academic Director of the Institute for Globalisation and International Regulation (IGIR) at Maastricht University (the Netherlands). He also sits as deputy judge in the Court of Appeal in the Hague. His fields of expertise include Intellectual and Industrial Property Law, Media Law, Trade and Commercial Law, and (Unfair) Competition Law.

Email: a.kampermansanders@maastrichtuniversity.nl

Background

Anselm studied law at and graduated from Tilburg University (the Netherlands) in 1991. He holds a PhD from the Centre for Commercial Law Studies, Queen Mary, University of London, where he worked as a Marie Curie Fellow before joining Maastricht University in 1995. For the UN he was a member of the expert group for the 2018 World Economic and Social Survey 2018. He served as a member of the European Commission expert group on development and implications of patent law in the field of biotechnology and genetic engineering, and for the Dutch government he served as a member of the Commission Compulsory Licensing.

He also acts as Academic Co-director of the Annual Intellectual Property Law School and IP Seminar of the Institute for European Studies of Macau (IEEM), Macau SAR, China since 2000 and is Adjunct Professor at Jinan University Law School, Guangzhou, China. Anselm sits as deputy judge in the Court of Appeal, The Hague, which has exclusive jurisdiction over patent disputes. Furthermore, Anselm is very active in Intellectual Property training, curriculum development, and consultancy projects, especially for developing countries. He is also a Member of the European Commission expert group on development and implications of patent law in the field of biotechnology and genetic engineering.

Education

Anselm will be teaching together with Anke Moerland, Kalpana Tyagi the following course:

Intellectual Property Law (Master)

Research

Anselm is member of the editorial and/or advisory board of the Maastricht Journal of European and Comparative Law, and Intellectual Property Quarterly. He is also the author of Unfair Competition Law (Oxford, Clarendon Press) and Co-editor (with Dr. C. Heath) of and contributor to the IEEM Intellectual Property Law series. Further publications and research concern competition law – the protection of intellectual and industrial creativity and intellectual property law in international trade.

A full overview of his research can be found via this link.

Mr. dr. J. (Jona) Isreal

Jona is one of our guest lecturers since 2021, previously he was one of our Associate Professors. His fields of expertise include Insolvency Law.

Background

Jona graduated from Maastricht University (the Netherlands) in 1995. After that, he obtained his PhD at the European University Institute in 1998. He previously worked at Maastricht University and the Radbout University (the Netherlands). From 2011 until 2021, Jona worked as Associate Professor at the University of Aruba.

Education

Jona will be teaching the following course:

Insolvency Law (Master)
International Commercial Law (Master)

Mr. dr. P.A.J. (Peter) van den Berg

Peter van den Berg has been one of our guest lecturers since 2008. Currently, Peter also works as Associate Professor at the University of Groningen (the Netherlands) at the Department of General Law Studies and Legal History.

Background

In 1996, Peter obtained his PhD titled ‘Codificatie en staatsvorming. De politieke en politiek-theoretische achtergronden van de codificatie van het privaatrecht in Pruisen, de Donaumonarchie, Frankrijk en Nederland, 1450-1811’ at the University of Groningen (the Netherlands). He has been working there as a lecturer and researcher ever since.

Education

Peter will be teaching the following courses:

Legal History (Bachelor 2)
Legal English (Bachelor 3)

Research

Peter’s research interests lie with the history of codification, the role of constitutions and citizenship/nationality. In the last couple of years, Peter’s research has focused on the legal history of slavery, and electoral law.

Some of his recent publications include:

Van den Berg, P.A.J. (2022), Colonialism and Codification, Studiereeks Nederlands-Antilliaans en Arubaans Recht (SNAAR), Den Haag: Boom Juridisch

A full overview of his publications can be found via this link.

Prof. mr. dr. P.C. (Pauline) Westerman

Pauline Westerman has been teaching Philosophy of Law at our faculty as a guest lecturer. Next to that, she is Professor of Philosophy of Law at the University of Groningen (the Netherlands). Pauline is also a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and program manager of the ‘Academie voor Wetgeving’ in The Hague.

Background

Pauline completed her PhD (cum laude) at the University of Groningen in 1997. She taught at the University of Groningen as well as at the Radboud University Nijmegen (the Netherlands) from 1992 till 2000. Afterwards, she was appointed as Associate Professor at the University of Groningen, where she became full Professor of Philosophy of Law in 2001. Since 2007, she has been program manager of the Academie voor Wetgeving in The Hague. Next to that, Pauline became a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) for the Law department in 2007. From 2014 onwards she also serves as member of the Advisory committee called the ‘Sociaal Wetenschappelijke Raad’ from the KNAW. Since 2012, she is also part of the scientific advisory board of the European Masters Legal Theory (AMELIE-project).

Education

Pauline will be teaching the following course:

Philosophy of Law (Bachelor 1)

Research

After obtaining her PhD in 1997 called ‘The Disintegration of Natural Law Theory: From Aquinas to Finnis’, that was awarded Cum laude, Pauline continued her research. From 2009 onwards, she has been General Editor of Legisprudence, the International Journal for the Study of Legislation. Pauline Westerman is also member of the Editorial Board of ‘Recht & Methode’ and editorial member of ‘Rechtsgeleerd Magazijn Themis’.

Some of her recent publications include:

Westerman, P. (2022), Legal Scholarship as design: A comment on Kammerhofer in: Gorobets, K., Hadjigeorgiou, A. & Westerman, P. (eds.), Conceptual (Re)constructions of International Law, Edward Elgar Publishing
Westerman, P. (2022), De valse tegenstelling tussen uniform en maatpak, Ars Aequi, AA2022/4

A full overview of his publications can be found via this link.

Prof. mr. dr. A.R. (Anne Ruth) Mackor

Anne Ruth Mackor has been one of our guest lecturers since 2021. Anne Ruth is Professor of professional ethics, in particular of legal professions, at the Faculty of Law of the University of Groningen (the Netherlands). For her research, in particular her research into models of proof in criminal law, she has been awarded an honorary doctorate at the Faculty of Law at Lund University in 2020.

Her fields of expertise include professional ethics, especially ethics of legal professions and ethics of science, legal philosophy, epistemology and philosophy of science.

Background

Anne Ruth Mackor studied law in Leiden and philosophy in Leiden and in Groningen. She obtained her PhD in 1997 at the Faculty of Law of the University of Groningen on the thesis Meaningful and rule-guided behavior: a naturalistic approach. Part of her current research is focused on the prevention of miscarriages of justice. Over the last 20 years, wrongful convictions, such as Lucia de Berk (the Netherlands), Sally Clark (the United Kingdom) and Thomas Quick (Sweden), have raised serious concerns about errors that judges make in the evaluation of evidence. This has fuelled academic and societal debate on how judges and other legal factfinders can learn to reason more rationally about evidence in criminal cases.

Education

Anne Ruth will be teaching the following course:

Philosophy of Law (Bachelor 1)

Research

Some of her recent publications include:

Mackor, A. R. (2024), Risks of Incorrect Use of Probabilities in Court and What to Do about Them, in: Placani, A. & Broadhead, S. (eds), Risk and Responsibility in Context, New York and London: Routledge
Mackor, A. R. (2023), Epistemische bedreigingen van de rechtsstaat, Ars Aequi, 2023(3), AA20230194

An overview of Anne Ruth’s research can be found via this link.

Mr. dr. C.E. (Carel) Smith

Carel Smith has been a guest lecturer of the University of Aruba since… His fields of expertise include Encyclopedia and Philosophy of Law and Language and Law. Carel is also Associate Professor Jurisprudence at Leiden University (the Netherlands) since 2006.

Background

Carel obtained his PhD in 1998, titled ‘Feit en rechtsnorm. Een studie naar de verhouding tussen regel en feiten in de heuristiek en legitimatie van het rechtsoordeel’.

From 2006 until 2017, Carel was Head of the Master Research program of Leiden University and PhD Dean from 2011-2017. In 2017 and 2018, Carel worked at the Institute for Advanced Study (Princeton), where he conducted research on conceptual metaphors in the theory of law.

Since 2018, Carel has been affiliated with the department of Legal History of Leiden University. He also serves as member of the Ethical Committee for Pedagogy.

Education

Carel, together with Harm Kloosterhuis, will be teaching the following course:

Methods and Techniques of Legal Research (Bachelor 2)

Research

Carel is a member of the editorial board of Leiden University Press.

Some of his recent publications include:

Smith C.E. (2023), Epistemological crises in legal theory: the (ir)rationality of balancing, in: D. Fassin & G. Steinmetz (eds.), The Social Sciences in the Looking Glass. Studies in the Production of Knowledge, Durham & London, Duke University Press 2023
Smith C.E. & Kloosterhuis H.T.M. (2022), De betekenis van de concepten beslissingsruimte, beslissingsvrijheid en marginale toetsing: een verhullend woordenspel?, in: Schutgens R.J.B., Schlössels R.J.N., Krommendijk J., Peters J.A.F., Bulten C.D.J., Terlouw A.B. & Werf E.G.A. van der (red.) Toetsingsintensiteit. Een vergelijkende studie naar het variëren van de toetsingsintensiteit door de rechter, Staat en Recht nr. 54, Deventer: Wolters Kluwer
Kloosterhuis, H.T.M., Smith, C.E. (2021), Regels van redelijke rechtsvinding, Ars Aequi 2021, 70/6

An overview of his work can be found via this link.

Mr. dr. H. (Harm) Kloosterhuis

Harm Kloosterhuis has been one of our guest lecturers since 1998. Next to that, he is Associate Professor at the Erasmus University Rotterdam (the Netherlands).

Background

Harm Kloosterhuis holds a Master in Law from the University of Amsterdam (the Netherlands) as well as a Master in Arts in Dutch Language and Literature from the same university. He obtained his PhD in Argumentation Theory at the University of Amsterdam afterwards. Harm has been a lecturer and researcher at the Erasmus University Rotterdam (the Netherlands) since 2000.

Education

Harm will be teaching, together with Carel Smith, the following course:

Methods and Techniques of Legal Research (Bachelor 2)

Research

Harm’s research is focused on different aspects of Jurisprudence and Legal Argumentation Theory. Together with his UA-colleague Carel Smith, he publishes the monthly Ars Aequi weblog: Vijf minuten rechtsfilosofie. Speurtochten langs de gemeenplaatsen van het recht.

Some of his recent publications include:

Kloosterhuis, H. (2023), Maar dat is niet logisch. Drogredenen in het recht. Nijmegen: Ars Aequi
Kloosterhuis, H., & Smith, C. (2022), De betekenis van de concepten beslissingsruimte, beslissingsvrijheid en marginale toetsing. Een verhullend woordenspel?, in: R. J. B. Schutgens e.a. (Ed.), Toetsingsintensiteit.: Een vergelijkende studie naar het variëren van de toetsingsintensiteit door de rechter, Deventer: Wolters Kluwer
Kloosterhuis, H. & I.R. Bluijs (2022), Juridische methoden. Casusoplossen, jurisprudentie-analyse en argumenteren, zevende druk, Den Haag: Boom Juridische Uitgevers

Mr. B.F. (Bojoura) Cos-Richard

Bojoura is one of our guest lecturers since 2023. Her field of expertise is property tax, turnover tax, transfer tax and dividend tax. She has worked for over 20 years at the Departamento di Impuesto (Tax Authorities Office). As a Profit tax Specialist she serves as a source of information for the employees, solves complicated issues, monitors the quality of the discipline levy and conducts court cases amongst other things.

Background

Bojoura obtained her master degree in Dutch tax law from Leiden University, the Netherlands in 1999. During her study she worked at the Rechtswinkel in Alphen aan de Rijn. Bojoura began her career as a junior tax advisor at the KPMG Tax & Legal Services office in Aruba. As part of the detachment she also worked at the KPMG Tax & Legal Services office in Curaçao. After working for 4 years at KPMG she decided to pursue her career in the Public sector. Since 2006, she is a board member of Koningin Wilhelmina Foundation, where she currently holds the position of Secretary.

Education

Bojoura will be teaching the following course:

Aruban Tax Law (Bachelor 3)

Mr. L.E. (Luenne) Gomez-Pieters

Luenne joined the University as a guest lecturer in 2024. Luenne is the Managing Director of the Aruba Tax Department (Departamento di Impuesto), responsible for leading the reorganization and digitalization of this public sector organization, as well as executing various public finance reforms that have resulted in more effective tax processes, increased tax compliance, and the achievement of budgetary goals. She is also responsible for spearheading tax reforms under the “Country package” (Landspakket) agreement with the Netherlands during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to substantial fiscal surpluses in Aruba’s public finances as of 2023, marking a significant improvement from previous deficits.

Background

In addition to her professional experience, Luenne holds a Master’s degree in Tax Law from the University of Groningen, a Master’s degree in Civil Law from the University of Aruba and an MBA from the University of Aruba, which has further sharpened her leadership, analytical, and decision-making skills.

Education

Luenne will be teaching the following course:

Aruban Tax Law (Bachelor 3)

Mr. dr. A. (Anke) Moerland

Anke Moerland is our guest lecturer in Intellectual Property Law. She is Associate Professor of Intellectual Property Law in the European and International Law Department, Maastricht University (the Netherlands). Her fields of expertise include Intellectual Property Law and Policy, Law of Trade Marks and Geographical Indications, International Trade Law and External Relations of the European Union.

Background

Anke holds a PhD on Intellectual property protection in EU bilateral trade agreements from Maastricht University. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Technical University Dresden (Germany) (2005), a bachelor’s degree (cum laude) in Dutch Law from Maastricht University (2011) and a LLM degree (cum laude) from the Magister Juris Communis Programme from Maastricht University (2006). Between 2018 and 2020, she held a visiting professorship at Queen Mary University of London on Intellectual Property Law, Governance and Art.

Between 2015 and 2019, Anke acted as coordinator of the PhD programme and the Master’s Honours Research Track of the Graduate School of Law of Maastricht University. Since 2023, Anke holds the position of Vice-Dean for Research and Director of the Graduate School of Law of Maastricht University.

Education

Anke will be teaching together with Anselm Kamperman Sanders, Kalpana Tyagi the following course:

Intellectual Property Law (Master)

Research

Anke has published on IP law and policy, with a particular focus on IP law between new technologies and tradition. In that light, she is at the forefront of discussing the implications of AI for trade marks, how GI protection can contribute to innovative products that at the same time preserve tradition, and how copyright rules foster the preservation and digitization of cultural heritage. From 2017 until 2021, Anke coordinated the EIPIN Innovation Society, a 4-year Horizon 2020 grant under the Marie Skłodowska Curie Action ITN-EJD.

Some of her recent publications include:

Kur, A., Calboli, I., Gangjee, D. S., Moerland, A. and Senftleben, M. (2023), Opinion on the EU Commission’s proposals for broader protection in geographical indications law, European Intellectual Property Review, Vol. 45
Moerland, A. & Kafrouni, C. (2022), Online shopping with artificial intelligence: what role for trade marks?, in: Abbott, R. (ed.), Research Handbook on Intellectual Property ad Artificial Intelligence, Edward Elgar
Moerland, A., & Freitas, C. (2021), Artificial intelligence and trade mark assessment, in: J-A. Lee, R. Hilty, & K-C. Liu (Eds.), Artificial Intelligence & Intellectual Property, Oxford University Press

An overview of her research can be found via this link.

Prof. mr. dr. F. (Frans) Koenraadt

Frans Koenraadt is a psychologist (NIP), criminologist and judicial expert. From 2008 until 2018, Frans was Professor of Forensic Psychology at the Utrecht University (the Netherlands). From 2018 onwards, Frans has been Professor of Forensic Psychiatry/Psychology and Criminology at the University of Curaçao.

Background

Frans studied Clinical Psychology and Sociology in Tilburg, Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and Illinois (USA). From 1980 onwards he was Assistant Professor of Forensic Psychiatrics and Psychology at the Willem Pompe Instituut. From 1988-2009 he was working as a psychologist at the Pieter Baan Centrum (PBC) in Utrecht, right now called the Nederlands Instituut voor Forensische Psychiatrie en Psychologie (NIFP). Since 2010 he has been a senior researcher and advisor for the NIPF and the Forensisch Psychiatrische Kliniek (GGZ Drenthe) te in Assen (the Netherlands). He also has his own practice in forensic psychology.

Education

Frans will be teaching the following course:

Forensic & Legal Psychology (Master)

Research

In 1996, Frans Koenraadt obtained his PhD, titled ‘Ouderdoding als ultiem delict’. Frans has an interest in researching killings within the family context, for example the killing of a child, parent or partner. He also has done research in the field of sexual killings and arson. Over the years, Frans has also written about professional ethics in Forensic Psychiatry, international and comparative Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry and the history of Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry. Frans is (co) author and (co) editor of several books regarding Psychology, Psychiatry and Criminal Law.

Some of his recent publications include:

Dalhuisen, L., Koenraadt, F., & ‘t Lam, K. (2022), Het vuur uit de sloffen lopend: Delictpreventieve behandeling van onderscheiden typen brandstichters, Kwaliteit Forensische Zorg.

An overview of his research can be found via this link.

Prof. mr. dr. A.H.H. (Anouk) Bollen

Anouk Bollen has been one of our guest lecturers in the field of Tax Law since 2015. She is appointed as Professor in Cross border Pension Tax Law at Maastricht University (the Netherlands). Next to that, she is also Deputy Judge at Rechtbank Zeeland-West-Brabant and member of the Disciplinary Board of the NOAB.

Background

Anouk has been affiliated at the Department of Tax Law of the Maastricht University since 1996. She graduated in Tax Law at the same university (1991-1995) and defended her PhD in 2004. She was Director of Double Degree Master Programme in International and European Tax Law during the period (2015 – 2020). As of 2015 she is director of ITEM / Instititute for Transnational and Euregional Cross Border Cooperation and Mobility.

Education

Anouk will be teaching the following course:

Fiscal Aspects of Labour and Pension (Master)

Research

Anouk’s recent research focuses on pensions in particular.

Some of her recent publications include:

Bollen-Vandenboorn, A.H.H. (2023), Caribische pensioenen in het Koninkrijk der Nederland: onderscheidend in verscheidenheid, Pensioen Magazine, 2023(5)
Bollen-Vandenboorn, A.H.H. (Ed.) (2022), Pensioen en de belangrijkste toekomstvoorzieningen: Inkomstenbelasting/Loonbelasting, (13 ed.) Sdu Uitgevers, Fiscale Geschriften No. 27

An full overview of her research can be found via this link.

Mr. S. (Sandy) van Thol

Sandy van Thol has been one of our guest lecturers since 2015. She is also a guest lecturer at the University of Curaçao. Next to that, Sandy is the founder and managing director of Sotto Voce Solutions, a business and tax solutions company. She is also the current treasurer of the Monuments Fund Aruba. She has gained 20 years of practical experience and teaches Tax Law at the University of Aruba.

Background

Sandy van Thol graduated in 2003 at Maastricht University (the Netherlands) with a specialization in tax litigation and European tax law. After that, she started working as a tax lawyer in the Netherlands. Sandy became an all-around and practical tax lawyer specializing in estate planning, business succession, and corporate restructuring. In 2012, Sandy returned to Aruba where she started her business.

Education

Sandy will be teaching the following courses:

International Tax Law (Master)
Procedural Tax Law (Bachelor 3)

Research

Sandy is an author and editor for the International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation and Wolters Kluwer. Her recent research has focused on Pillar 2 Developments in the Caribbean.

Prof. mr. dr. E.W. (Emile) Kolthoff

Emile Kolthoff is our guest lecturer in Criminology. Next to this, he is Professor of Criminology at the Open Universiteit (the Netherlands). His fields of expertise include criminal organizations, integrity and governance.

Background

Emile Kolthoff graduated as inspector at the Police in 1980. In 1984 he graduated in Criminology at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium) and in 1988 he graduated from the studies Human Ecology at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium). Afterwards, he obtained his PhD at the faculty of Social Sciences of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (the Netherlands) in 2007. Emile has previously worked at the Korps Rijkspolitie, and was the director of KPMG Integrity & Investigation Services and director of the ‘Bureau Integriteit Nederlandse Gemeenten (BING)’. He also lectured Safety, Public Order and Law at Hogeschool Avans Fontys in Den Bosch and Tilburg (the Netherlands) before being appointed as Professor at the Open Universiteit.

Education

Emile will be teaching the following course:

Criminology (Master)

Research

Emile Kolthoff’s research focuses on criminal organizations, integrity and governance.

Some of his recent publications include:

Kolthoff, E.W., & Janssen, J.H.L.J. (2023), Dealing with police corruption: Human rights as a moral code for the police, in: B. Wernaart (Ed.), Applied human rights, Wageningen: Academic Publishers
Brinkhoff, S., Kolthoff, E.W., Mensink, J.W., & Malsch, M. (2022), Een onderzoek naar tip- en beloningsgelden: De motieven om zware criminaliteit te melden bij de politie: welke rol speelt geld?, Proces: tijdschrift voor strafrechtpleging, 101(4)
Bonnevalle-Kok, R., Koenraadt, F., Kolthoff, E., Pesselse, G., & Stamhuis, E. (2022) Strafrecht op Arubaanse maat, Proces: tijdschrift voor strafrechtpleging

An full overview of his research can be found via this link.

Prof. mr. dr. H. (Hildegard) Schneider

Hildegard has been one of our guest lecturers for European Union Law. She also holds a (Emeritus) professorship in European Law at the universities of Maastricht (the Netherlands) and Hasselt (Belgium) and a Jean Monnet Chair in European Migration Law.

Her fields of expertise include European Internal Market Law and European Migration Law, specifically the free movement of persons.

Background

Hildegard Schneider studied Law, Political Sciences and Art History in Freiburg (Breisgau, Germany), London, Paris and Münster (Germany). Between September 2011 and December 2017, she served as Dean of the Faculty of Law at Maastricht University. During that period, she was a member of the management team of Maastricht University and a member of the education board of the faculty of law in Hasselt (Belgium). As Dean of the law faculty in Maastricht she was actively involved in the setting up of the multidisciplinary research centres: ITEM – Institute for Transnational and Euregional cross-border and cooperation Mobility, MACIMIDE – the Maastricht Centre for Citizenship, Migration and Development, CERiM Centre for European Research in Maastricht and the Maastricht Centre of Art and Culture, Conservation and Heritage (MACCH).

Education

Hildegard will be teaching the following course:

European Union Law (Master)

Research

During the last three decades, Hildegard has been working specifically in the area of European Internal Market Law and European Migration Law concentrating on the free movement of persons (including the mobility of professionals and students), the concept of European citizenship, the recognition of diplomas. Hildegard conducted various studies concerning the position of Third Country Nationals (family members of EU citizens, legal migration, high-skilled and circular migration, asylum). Furthermore, she has developed a keen research interest in the emerging area of art & law and the protection of cultural property. She has been involved very actively as project leader and participant in various EU and Dutch funded research projects such as the Marie Curie Research ITN research networks TRANSMIC and NACCA, the FP 7 project EURA-NET, the NIEM project and the EU-CITZEN project. Furthermore, she has supervised successfully more than 25 PhD projects.

Some of her recent publications include:

Unfried, M., Mertens, P., Büttgen, N., & Schneider, H. (2022), Cross-Border Impact Assessment for the EU’s border regions, European Journal of Law Reform (1)
Schneider, H., & Tans, R. (2022), Integration of Beneficiaries of International Protection in the Netherlands: Third Set of Results from the National Integration Evaluation Mechanism (NIEM), Maastricht University
De Groot, G. R., & Schneider, H. (2022), Kid Schwarz en de banden tussen Nederland en Nederlands-Indië, in: M. Faure, J. Hamers, M. Olaerts, & M. Verbrugh (Eds.), Eindeloos getob: Liber Amicorum Kid Schwarz, Deventer: Wolters Kluwer

An overview of her works can be found via this link.

Mr. J.M.J. (Jacques) Keltjens

Jacques Keltjens is one of our guest lecturers for International Private Law. Jacques is the Vice President of the Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and of Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba. The Court is responsible for the administration of justice in first instance and in appeal on the islands. He also serves as the President of the Court of First Instance of Aruba.

Background

Jacques Keltjens obtained his Master at the University of Amsterdam (the Netherlands) in 1986. He was the CEO of the ‘Internationaal Juridisch Instituut’ in The Hague (the Netherlands) from 2011 until 2020. Next to that, he served as Senior Judge at the Court of The Hague from 2013 until 2020. In 2020 he became Vice President of the Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and of Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba.

Education

Jacques will be teaching the following courses:

International Private Law (Bachelor 3)

Mr. dr. F. (Fieke) van Overbeeke

Fieke van Overbeeke has been teaching at the University of Aruba since 2022. Her fields of expertise include Private International Law, in particular global mobility, contract law, tort law, family law and inheritance law.

Fieke is CEO and Legal Counsel at the Internationaal Juridisch Instituut (IJI) in The Hague (the Netherlands). This is a non-profit institute assisting the legal judiciary, i.a. the Dutch courts including the courts of the Dutch Caribbean, on international files in which private international law and foreign law needs to be applied.

Background

Fieke van Overbeeke graduated from Leiden University (the Netherlands) in 2012. She obtained a Civil Law Master, with an extra focus on Labour Law regarding individual contracts, collective aspects and institutional elements. Afterwards, she obtained her PhD at the University of Antwerpen (Belgium) in 2018, where she still works as a Research Fellow ever since.

Education

Fieke will be teaching the following course:

Private International Law (Bachelor 3)

Research

Fieke obtained her PhD titled ‘Sociale concurrentie en conflictenrecht in het Europees wegtransport’ in 2018 and her research interests still lie with (international) transportation and global mobility.

Some of her recent publications include:

Hauben, H. (ed.), van Overbeeke, F., Haidinger, B., Waeyaert, W., & Falcone, S., (2023), Cooperation obligations and practices in the enforcement of EU rules on International Road Transport in the EU, European Labour Authority
Van Hoek, A.A.H. & Van Overbeeke, F. (2023), Over open eindes en nauwere banden: een nieuw hoofdstuk in de Van den Bosch/ Silo-Tank-saga, NIPR 2023/3

A full overview of her research can be found via this link.

Mr. dr. Kalpana Tyagi

Tyagi holds a multidisciplinary PhD (summa cum laude) from the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition, Munich, where she worked as a ‘Max Planck junior research fellow for IP & competition’. In the US, Tyagi worked as a ‘consultant’ and was the recipient of the ‘Lee Iacocca Fellowship for Future Leaders in Business and Industry’.

Tyagi has had an academic training in law and economics (with the ‘Erasmus Mundus’ scholarship and ‘Max Planck Fellow in Innovation & Competition’ fellowship) and corporate strategy (as ‘Think Marketing’ and ‘International Education Without Borders (in M&A Strategy)’ scholarships).

Background

Kalpana Tyagi is the Assistant Professor for Intellectual Property and Competition Law at Maastricht University. She is the founding and managing coordinator for TILC, The Innovator’s Legal Aid Clinic, one of the leading pro-bono legal aid clinics, with focus on IP & competition law. Tyagi is also an Academic Advisor to the INATBA, The International Association for Trusted Blockchain Applications.

Tyagi has also worked as a ‘research policy analyst’ at the International Telecommunications Union, Geneva, whereby she worked on standard setting, 5G patents and telecommunications policy. Thereafter, she worked with a third party funder, Vannin Capital in London, whereby she evaluated the funding potential of arbitrating and litigating IP-related disputes. While working at the University of Århus, Denmark, she developed the Center for Law & Digitalization with focus on emerging technologies such as AI & the Blockchain technology.

Education

Tyagi will be teaching together with Anselm Kamperman Sanders, Anke Moerland the following course:

Intellectual Property Law (Master)

Research

Tyagi’s research and teaching interest relate to exploring the inter-disciplinary interface of intellectual property rights and competition policy, particularly in the context of digitalization and sustainability.

Some of her recent publications include:

Copyright, text & data mining and the innovation dimension of generative AI, available here: https://academic.oup.com/jiplp/article/19/7/557/7624901
Digital Platforms, Competition Law and Regulation: Comparative Perspectives, available here: https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/monograph-detail?docid=b-9781509969418&pdfid=9781509969418.ch-001.pdf&tocid=b-9781509969418-chapter1 & https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/monograph?docid=b-9781509969418

Her full research portfolio and lab can be accessed here this link.

Faculty news and events

Most Recent Events

June 11, 2025

Workshop: Effectief gebruik van de beoordelingstoo

Nieuwe Governance-wetgeving Aruba: Meet de stand van zaken in uw organisatie en neem deel aan de workshop! In de loop van het jaar treedt de nieuwe…

March 27, 2025

Workshop: Effectief gebruik van de beoordelingstoo

Nieuwe Governance-wetgeving Aruba: Meet de stand van zaken in uw organisatie en neem deel aan de workshop! In de loop van het jaar treedt de nieuwe…

April 10, 2025

P.A.O. Cursus: Caribisch Internationaal Privaatrec

Het internationaal privaatrecht (IPR) in de Caribische delen van het Koninkrijk bestaat voor een groot deel uit ongeschreven recht. Via deze cursus worden handvaten gegeven…

Latest News

December 9, 2024

ICMS 2025 Aruba – From islands to the global

Islands are more than just beautiful destinations; they are living laboratories where the most pressing marine challenges are met with innovation and resilience. At ICMS 2025,…

Thesis Award Ceremony 2023-2024

This year’s Thesis Awards Ceremony honors six extraordinary alumni who have pushed the boundaries of knowledge and innovation. Their dedication, creativity, and perseverance have left…

Fosterting Diversity & Inclusion at UA

The University of Aruba recognizes the importance of fostering an environment where all individuals feel safe, valued, and respected. Our Codes of Conduct for students…

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Accreditation is a quality label that is granted formally by an independent authority to an academic and professional program that meets or exceeds required standards of educational quality. The UA invites the NVAO (Nederlands Vlaamse Accreditatieorganisatie) to evaluate its programs against international Bachelor and Master degree standards. The following study programs of the Faculty of Law have been awarded a positive evaluation. Click on the reports below to read the positive evaluations by NVAO (reports are in dutch).

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Workshop: Effectief gebruik van de beoordelingstoo

Workshop: Effectief gebruik van de beoordelingstoo

P.A.O. Cursus: Caribisch Internationaal Privaatrec

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ICMS 2025 Aruba – From islands to the global

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