Latest blog articles

  • Contextualizing Brexit

    The European Union (EU) faces challenges after the results of the United Kingdom (UK) European Union membership referendum that was held on June 23, 2016. Yet, Brexit is not the first challenge faced by the EU. Three points invite for reflection on Brexit and the future of the EU.

    Europa toekomst_MLR
  • The unlawfulness of the Syria strikes

    In response to the (alleged) use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime in the city of Douma, the United Kingdom, United States, and France carried out a number of missile strikes against several government facilities. These strikes clearly violate basic rules of international law.

    Unlawfull gas attack blog on Law Blogs Maastricht
  • Dean’s blog episode 7: how visible is legal academia?

    Many things go well in Dutch legal academia. However, there is a need for legal academics to be more visible to the outside world. They should show why law must have a central place in the big research themes of today.

    Hoe zichtbaar is de rechtswetenschap, lezing Jan Smits
  • The proliferation of game clone in China versus copyright law

    “Game clone” means two kinds of act: one is the act of game piracy, where the second game is a reproduction or abridgement of earlier games. Another act is that of creating games where second game contains similar elements as compared to earlier games.

    Chinese game clone example nr 2
  • How path dependency affects the ongoing Brexit negotiations

    Now that the UK is ejecting itself from the confines of the EU what interest would they have to keep the principle of good faith within their legislations? And perhaps more interestingly, what incentive – if any – does the British politicians and negotiators have to negotiate their exit in a fair...

    Brexit versus European Union_awkward partner_image of a bull
  • Access to justice: a driver for the sustainable development goals

    The right to access to justice is a fundamental driver to ensure the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Why? Because, by guaranteeing access to justice for all, we ensure democratic participation and mechanisms of accountability. Hence, policy makers should pay attention to...

    SDGs
  • International business and human rights arbitration, a trustworthy remedy

    An international working group has engaged in a project to create an international arbitration mechanism for business and stakeholders to resolve issues in the field of business and human rights. This may enable business to live up to its corporate responsibility to respect human rights thereby...

    International business and human rights
  • At the crossroads

    The phony war between the United Kingdom and the European Union is over. Now, for the real deal. However, this agreement (which is not final until all details have been ironed out) comes at a heavy price.

    EU Negotiator Michel Barnier