Group of people studying together at a table in the Faculty of Law

Faculty of Law

The Faculty of Law at Maastricht University is a top-quality provider of challenging and rewarding Dutch and European legal education at bachelor’s, master’s and PhD-level. A true pioneer in small-scale teaching and teaching of skills aimed at a broad range of future legal professionals.
 
The clear focus in research on European and international aspects of the law, Law and tech, and the empirical setting in which the law operates, provides an exceptionally stimulating environment for both students and staff. The Faculty greatly values its open, diverse and inclusive community that makes it a pleasant and rewarding place to work and study. 

The UM Faculty of Law offers a wide range of bachelor's and master's programmes. Would you like to know more about our programmes? Download the brochure for more information on the courses, career perspectives and admission requirements of our programmes.

News

Publication of the Report by the Legal Expert Group (LEG) on the Right to Demonstrate at Universities

A group of legal experts from the Faculty of Law has provided advice on the exercise of the right to demonstrate at Maastricht University (UM).
hand holding documents

Paula Lozada named Face of Science

As one of the Faces of Science, Paula will communicate her research and her work as a scientist to society in various ways.
Portrait of Paula Lozada

Donna Yates Appointed UNESCO Chair in Cultural Heritage and Emerging Crime

Donna Yates (Associate Professor in the Criminal Law and Criminology department) has been appointed UNESCO Chair in Cultural Heritage and Emerging Crime.
Portrait of Donna Yates

Appointment of Frank Nellen as Professor of Value Added Taxes and Supply Chain Levies

The Executive Board has appointed Dr Frank Nellen as Professor of Value Added Taxes and Supply Chain Levies as of 1 March 2026. He succeeds Ad van Doesum, who was appointed Justice in the Tax Chamber of the Dutch Supreme Court as of 1 January 2026.
Picture of Frank Nellen by Suzan Alberts

Law schools Zuyd and Maastricht University strengthen cooperation

Unique in the Netherlands: some credits from higher professional education in law count directly towards the pre-master's degree.
Dries Lodewijks (directeur financiële-, management- en rechtenopleidingen Zuyd), Saskia Brand-Gruwel (bestuurslid Zuyd) en Jan Smits (decaan Faculteit der Rechtsgeleerdheid, UM). Staand op de achtergrond (vlnr): Koen Savrij Droste (opleidingsmanager HBO-Rechten Zuyd en programmadirecteur Samenwerking UM – Zuyd), Bart Paumen (adviseur Strategie, Zuyd), Eric van de Luijtgaarden (lector en bijzonder hoogleraar Preventive Law bij, respectievelijk, Zuyd en de UM) en Brahim Ait Mellouk (directeur Faculteit der Re

Faculty in Focus

Our faculty is always buzzing with ideas, discussions, and events! Across the past period, our students, researchers, and staff have been involved in an impressive range of activities, from helping solve cold cases to organising events on children’s rights, and from exploring legal questions in popular culture to rethinking how we teach law.

This series brings together some of the most remarkable and inspiring stories. Whether in the classroom or outside the faculty's walls — one thing is clear: our community continues to explore, innovate, and make an impact.

 Read our Faculty in Focus series

Faculty in Focus logo

Agenda / events

Blogs

Does the ban on designer drugs in the Netherlands work?

  • Law

On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the Research and Data Centre (WODC) and the Trimbos Institute jointly organised the annual symposium of the National Drug Monitor (NDM). During the meeting, the latest figures and trends were presented: who uses drugs, and what developments are visible? What stood out? The rise of the new psychoactive substance (NPS) 3MMC, best known by the name MIAUW.

Uitwisseling van drugs voor geld

Sorting out competence related conflicts of physicians in specialty training

  • Law

Nobody likes a conflict, especially not about being good enough to belong to a certain profession. All the same, nobody wants to receive medical treatment from a doctor, without sufficient professional performance. So, after graduation, a medical specialist should be competent to provide the level of care sufficient to the norms of the specialty, regardless of any disputes or obstacles during training.

Cover of Judith Godschalkx-Dekker's thesis

The EU-Australia Trade Deal: Trade, Trust and Investment Protection

  • Law

On 24 March, a long-negotiated trade deal between the European Union and Australia finally became a reality. This is a welcome development in light of the current geopolitical and economic uncertainties. The agreement follows a series of recently concluded EU trade deals with important partners such as Indonesia and India, reflecting the EU’s broader strategy to expand its economic presence in key markets and to help European businesses diversify their trade relationships. Given the scale of the economies involved, these agreements are expected to have a significant economic impact.

World map focussed on Australia

A Blog Entry on Academic Blog Entries in the Realm of the Law

  • Law

Doctrinal writings derive from a research and reasoning cycle and ultimately shape legal science. Treatises, monographs, edited volumes, law review articles, book chapters, translations, casebooks, book reviews, and academic blog entries–to name only a few academic creations–play a role in the development of legal science. Doctrinal writings provide a forum for the development and circulation of legal ideas, nurturing a space to critically reflect on the law and to trigger change when needed. Academic blog entries (ABEs) offer–when compared with other academic creations–an agile and flexible forum that ought to be protected and celebrated.

hands moving over laptop keyboard

Statelessness in Iran: Understanding the Challenges of Nationality and Gender Discrimination

  • Law

Nationality forms the cornerstone of legal identity, determining access to fundamental civil, political, and social rights. It affects who can participate in society, receive education, work legally, and access healthcare. Individuals without nationality face statelessness, a condition that limits not only legal protections but also social belonging. Despite its importance, the complexities of nationality and statelessness in Iran have received limited scholarly attention. This dissertation addresses that gap by analysing Iranian nationality law, family law, and administrative practices, assessing how these frameworks interact to produce legal recognition—or exclusion.

Cover Eliyeh Delavari

Interactive Campus Tour

Watch the interactive video and take a tour of our faculty. Our student Niklas will tell you all about the faculty's facilities, study areas, historical buildings and teaching spaces and more. Choose your own path and find out whether studying at Maastricht University is right for you.

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