Law PhD theses

At Maastricht University, a PhD degree is not just a study but a serious research project that adds new knowledge to a given field. There are three ways to become a PhD candidate at UM, which are outlined below. As a PhD candidate, you’ll spend most of your time conducting original research and writing a dissertation.

UM Law theses collectiebeeld 2019

Latest PhD theses

How to Serve Two Masters: Conflicting Treaty Obligations in Cases of Dual Membership of NATO and the European Union

PhD thesis written by Jarin Nijhof
This thesis examines how dual NATO/EU Member States resolve conflicts arising from their obligations stemming from being members of both NATO and the EU at the same time.

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Exploring Human-Object Relationships in Art Markets

PhD thesis written by Diāna Bērziņa
This study examined how non-economic influences—such as senses, atmospheres, and materiality—shape human relationships with objects in contexts that may involve harmful or illegal behavior.

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Can You Sue Away Climate Change?

PhD thesis written by Jana Nysten
This thesis sets out to examine the potentials and limitations of climate change litigation. It establishes a framework which allows for some general conclusions on how different types of climate change litigation function and how they can help address gaps in the...

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From Having a Seat to Having a Say: European Organisations of Persons With Disabilities in the International Monitoring of the Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities

PhD thesis written by Hanxu Liu
This research aims to answer the main research question: whether and if so, how have European OPDs effectively participated in the UN human rights mechanisms, with a view to monitoring the national implementation of human rights in alignment with the CRPD?

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The Values of the European Union as Legal Rules: Lessons from the Union’s Reaction to Constitutional Backsliding

PhD thesis written by Martina Coli
This thesis investigated the paths for transforming the founding values of the European Union enshrined in Article 2 TEU into legal obligations binding on the Member States.

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