The threat of legal autocracy in the U.S.

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a case dealing with obscure theories of constitutional interpretation. However, the case reveals strategies that risk subverting democracy.

Chase Burton • December 20, 2022

How sensational is Indonesia’s new Criminal Code?

International media strongly condemn Indonesia’s new Criminal Code. Is it really that bad?

Adriaan Bedner • December 15, 2022

In search of justice: Leiden and Sarajevo students exploring the meaning of justice in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina

Every nation has its own dark chapters of history and the Netherlands and Bosnia-Herzegovina are no exception. Could the rule of law help in bringing closure?

Amber Benhammou • December 12, 2022

Parliamentary sovereignty to the rescue?

The UK government is introducing bills that could harm the rule of law and democracy. Does parliamentary sovereignty require the judiciary to apply such laws, or could it also be interpreted differently?

Jorieke Manenschijn • February 15, 2022

Are the Dutch complacent compliers? The interplay between COVID-19 regulations and the sociolegal domain

Compliance has been key in stopping the spread of COVID-19, but there is a fine line between compliance and complacency. If this line becomes blurred, what are the implications beyond the scope of the pandemic?

Julia Rootenberg, Danielle Chevalier and Maartje van der Woude • May 21, 2021

Is monetary policy too important to be left to judges?

Last week’s controversial judgment of Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court exposed the challenges for judges in ruling on macro-economic matters.

Nathan de Arriba-Sellier • May 18, 2020

Rule of law conditionality in EU spending: Time to pull the plug on illiberalism

Illiberal leaders in Poland and Hungary are using Covid-19 to consolidate their powers and violate EU values. Could the Union’s budget be used as leverage to force them to comply with the rule of law?

Amandine van Zuylen • May 13, 2020

The ECHR at 70: A Living Instrument in Precarious Present-day Conditions

The European Court of Human Rights must respond immediately to cases where it is argued that judicial independence is undermined. The Court should review its priority policy as well as its practice concerning interim measures.

Rick Lawson • February 07, 2020

A never-ending story: EU postpones decision on negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia

This blog entry sheds some light on Council’s conclusions of 18 June 2019 in which any decision of opening accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia was postponed to October 2019. How to read this decision and what could its implications?

Darinka Piqani • July 01, 2019

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