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Faculty of Law marks 45 years with tree planting ceremony and time capsule

The Faculty of Law of Maastricht University celebrated its 45th anniversary with the opening of the renovated Garden of Justice, a symbolic tree planting ceremony and the burial of a time capsule.

The ceremony was opened by Rector Magnificus Jan Smits and Dean Ronald Janse. Smits served as Dean of the faculty until March 2026 and was appointed Rector Magnificus of Maastricht University on 1 March. Students and staff gathered to reflect on the faculty’s past and to look ahead to its future.

“For 45 years, our faculty has been a place where ideas about law and justice come together. It is special to see students and staff gathered here, because it is this community that truly defines our faculty. By planting this tree and burying a time capsule, we celebrate our past while expressing our confidence in the future of education and research.” 
— Ronald Janse, Dean of the Faculty of Law

A time capsule capturing 2026

During the ceremony, a time capsule filled with contributions from students and staff was also buried. The capsule contains objects, documents and photographs that together provide a snapshot of faculty life in 2026.

Among the items included are materials from the 45 Years of LAW anniversary celebrations, the Faculty of Law Programme Guide 2025–2026, the Admissions Report 2026–2027, data snapshots from the student intranet and askLAW campaign materials. The capsule also contains objects reflecting everyday faculty life, such as an office key, event name badges, a welcome card for new staff members and a painter’s brush symbolising renovation works carried out in the faculty buildings in 2025–2026. Documents reflecting developments in education were also included, such as a template used in cases concerning the use of AI in education – an issue that was rapidly evolving within universities in 2026.

In addition, ideas from the Future of Law Box, collected during the launch of the anniversary year in January, were placed in the capsule. In these messages, students and staff shared their thoughts about the future of their faculty: what will the campus look like, and how will we study several decades from now?

The time capsule will be opened at a suitable moment in the future, allowing a new generation of students and staff to look back on faculty life today.

Dean Ronald Janse holding the time capsule before burying it

A tree for the future

The planted Ecolette apple tree symbolises growth, continuity and connection within the faculty. The renovation of the Garden of Justice – with native plants and attention to biodiversity – has transformed the courtyard into a place for meeting, inspiration and quiet reflection for students and staff. The garden’s transformation was initiated by the internal Garden of Justice working group and supported by the Friends of the Law Faculty.

Rector Magnificus Jan Smits also reflected on the special significance of this moment for the faculty: 

“It is special to be back here at a place where I worked as dean for many years. With this tree and time capsule, we not only mark 45 years of the Faculty of Law, but also convey a message to future generations of students and researchers.” 
— Jan Smits, Rector Magnificus of Maastricht University and former Dean of the Faculty of Law

With this tree and time capsule, we also convey a message to future generations of students and researchers.

— Jan Smits, Rector Magnificus of Maastricht University and former Dean of the Faculty of Law

Anniversary year in full swing

The tree planting ceremony follows earlier activities celebrating 45 years of the Faculty of Law, including a festive kick-off for students and staff in January. Later this year, further anniversary activities are planned, including a faculty party organised by students and a summer gathering for staff.

With this ceremony, the faculty emphasises its connection to past, present and future – and its continuing commitment to education and research that contribute to justice in society.

Discover more about 45 years of the Faculty of Law on our anniversary page.

Tree planting ceremony at the garden of justice

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