Marc Hertogh appointed as Distinguished Professor of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance

How does the citizen experience the rule of law?

Marc Hertogh
Photo: Geert Snoeijer

Marc Hertogh has been appointed as Distinguished Professor of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance, at Utrecht University as of May 1, 2024. His chair is called 'Social and institutional dimensions of the rule of law' and he would like to invite colleagues from Law, Economics and Governance to collaborate. “My research focuses on the citizens’ perspective. How does the rule of law work in everyday practice and how do citizens experience the rule of law? To study this, a legal approach alone is not sufficient. You also need other disciplines.”

“Officially, the rule of law in the Netherlands is strong, there is a separation of powers and everyone has equal access to justice. Yet the rule of law is under pressure; an example of this is the Dutch Childcare benefits scandal in which government actions turned out terribly for many people,” says Marc Hertogh. “The rule of law is not only under pressure in countries such as Poland and Hungary, but also in our country. Some researchers even speak of a global 'Rule of law recession'.”

Ambition to bring people together

“That is why it is important to study the rule of law in a different way. At my Chair, I first want to conduct empirical-legal research: from 'the rule of law on paper' I shift my focus to 'the rule of law in action'. Secondly, I want to study possible improvements and changes in the rule of law. We have been organizing the rule of law in approximately the same way for more than 175 years. What possible innovations could better respond to today’s society?”

“These are all topics that you should not only look at from a legal perspective. They need collaboration between researchers, teachers and students from the three departments of this faculty. My ambition is to bring as many people as possible together in education and research in Utrecht, so that we can learn from each other and jointly develop new solutions for the rule of law.”

We have been organizing the rule of law in the same way for more than 175 years. What possible innovations could better respond to today’s society?

Marc Hertogh
Distinguished Professor of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance

Hertogh welcomes anyone with an interest in the rule of law. He hopes to connect people inside and outside the Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance to develop new subjects, for joint publications, joint research projects or for organising public engagement activities and activities with professionals from the judiciary, politics or the media.

Students advise the House of Representatives

Marc Hertogh is Professor of Law and Society at the University of Groningen. He is also the programme leader of the Sector Plan Empirical Legal Studies in Groningen, Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Law in Context and member of the State Committee on the Rule of Law (Staatscommissie Rechtsstaat) in the Netherlands. He studies law and the rule of law from a citizen's perspective and he is interested in, among other things, the social effects of legislation and court rulings.

In Groningen, he passionately promotes different forms of activating education. For example, his students prepared an advice for the House of Representatives, which was ultimately used by MPs. “The connection between theory and practice motivates me enormously. You need different points of view to find out which innovations work and which don't. At Utrecht University I also look forward to having law, economics and governance students actively working together on new projects about the future of the rule of law.”

Marc Hertogh's appointment as Distinguished Professor of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance at Utrecht University is part-time. He also remains Professor of Law and Society at the University of Groningen.