Announcement: Symposium: Emergency Law / Noodrecht

Friday June 6th, 2025, 12:45 – 17:15 hrs

Go directly to the Registration Form

Theme

Emergency law is invoked when ordinary laws are presented as unable to manage extraordinary circumstances. However, the application of emergency laws can vary by jurisdiction and by crisis, raising fundamental questions about who gains special powers, under what circumstances, and what specific measures they can take. Domestically, clarity can also be lacking due to fragmentation and inconsistencies as is evident in Dutch emergency law.

This international conference explores themes of legal coherence, democratic accountability, and the modernization of emergency law in times of crisis, from both a global and Dutch perspective. It examines innovative constitutional safeguards against power abuse in Asia, specifically regarding former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, and compares national responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Building on these global lessons, the conference analyzes the structure and constitutional basis of the Dutch emergency law system as a case study, highlighting its key challenges and broader needs for reform and modernization.

Program

Leon Verstappen
Professor of private and notary law, University of Groningen
Introductory remarks

Bryan Dennis Gabito Tiojanco
Project Associate Professor, University of Tokyo. JSD & LLM (Yale), JD (University of the Philippines
“CONSTITUTIONAL CHECKS ON THE UNLAWFUL EXERCISE OF EMERGENCY POWERS IN A DEMOCRACY: ASIAN INNOVATIONS”

Joelle Grogan
Co-Academic Director Rule of Law Clinic, CEU Democracy Institute, host ‘The Law Show’ (BBC Radio 4)
“EMERGENCY LAW FROM A COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE; THE CORONA CRISIS CASE”

Adriaan Wierenga
Emergency law specialist and researcher at the University of Groningen and Leiden University
“HET SYSTEEM VAN HET NEDERLANDSE NOODRECHT”

Luc Verhey
Member of the Council of State (Raad van State), Advisory Division (Afdeling Advisering),
Professor of Constitutional and Administrative Law at Leiden University
“GRONDWETTELIJK NOODRECHT EN HAAR TOEPASSING”

Details

• Day & Time: June 6th, 12:45-17:15 (start symposium, 13.30 sharp). Reception: 17:15-18:15
• Location: Rölinggebouw Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Oude Boteringestraat 18, Groningen
• Registration: https://nvvr.sites.uu.nl/registration/
• Information: Marieke Oderkerk (a.e.oderkerk@vu.nl)
• Costs: EUR 20 (non-members), EUR 30 (admission plus year membership); free (members)