RESEARCH PROGRAM FOUNDATION RESEARCH ON THE (DUTCH) LEGAL SYSTEM 2023 – 2026
The Foundation stimulates and finances research in the field of justice in the broadest sense of the word. The research projects focus on themes related to (legal) assistance, legal aid, conflict resolution and dispute resolution. The Foundation has no organizational interest of its own and is therefore free to promote research that focuses on topics that may affect the interests of several legal actors. By commissioning research and disseminating the research results, the Foundation aims to contribute to the academic debate and the development of legal practice.
The research that the Foundation intends to promote during the period 2023-2026 will focus on three sub-areas: (1) increasing access to justice for citizens and small entrepreneurs; (2) strengthening the conflict-solving effect of the (judicial) system for citizens and small entrepreneurs; and (3) digital applications (in particular ODR [Online Dispute Resolution] and artificial intelligence) aimed at strengthening the first two areas.
- Access to justice consists of elements, such as access to affordable legal aid, access to effective conflict resolution and access to justice. Recent studies (Geschilbeslechtingsdelta 2019) have shown that recourse to both the judiciary and its alternatives is declining, while at the same time more respondents experience that their legal problems remain unresolved. This is a worrying development. Further research could provide more insight into this worrisome development, especially into how access to law can be strengthened across the full width, with special attention to small entrepreneurs. Particularly because there is little attention for their problems in legal practice and in research.
- Strengthening the conflict-resolution ability of the legal system is inextricably linked with the accessibility to the justice system. A strengthening of the conflict-solving functions of and within the legal system can ensure that (legal) problems and conflicts are being resolved quickly, sustainably and at low cost. It also will create more room within the legal system for the settlement of more complex legal disputes.
- Digital applications, such as online dispute resolution (ODR) and artificial intelligence (AI), are expected to play a major role in the field of rendering justice in the coming years. Consequently, these applications will form an important angle for the selection of subjects that the Foundation wishes to promote. In that respect the focus will be on the way these applications may increase both, access to the law and the conflict resolution capacity of the (judicial) system.
Overview
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CONSTITUTIONAL SAFEGUARDS. COUNCIL FOR THE JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE
2024 / Research / Completed
This research was coordinated at the University of Amsterdam under the supervision of Prof. dr. mr. J.E. (Jonathan) Soeharno, Prof. dr. mr. J. (Jerfi) Uzman and mr. dr. N. (Niels) Graaf. ...
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PLATFORM FOR DIGITIZATION IN CIVIL JUSTICE FOR CITIZENS AND SMEs
2023 / Research / In preparation
The research will build on the already completed research project referred to here below and will focus on the necessary conditions for the development of a platform for technology in the context of civil justice for citizens and SMEs in the public interest. The research will be carried out...
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FRONT PORTALS FOR CITIZENS AND SMALL ENTERPRISES
2022 / Research / Completed
The research is based on the wish that citizens and entrepreneurs have better access to information about their (legal) position and potential routes to solve these (legal) problems. There is also a desire to support and encourage citizens and entrepreneurs to choose the route that best suits their...
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TOWARDS RENEWAL OF CIVIL JUSTICE
2019 / Booklet / Completed
The editors have asked the authors to reflect on personal thoughts and ideas about civil justice in concise chapters without footnotes and references. All contributions are written in a personal capacity. The booklet contains a chronological list of Parliamentary papers and reports to which the authors refer. For...
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QUALITY OF JURISDICTION AND LEGAL AID IN (CIVIL) PROCEEDINGS
2018 / Symposium / Completed
Symposium under the auspices of the KNAW (Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences) chaired by Prof. Dr. Ernst M. H. Hirsch Ballin. ...