Perspectives on Law

The distinction between the various domains of law—private law (the law of obligations and property law) and public law (constitutional and administrative law, criminal law, and international and European law)—is set aside in Perspectives on Law. The central theme of the course is adjudication. Adjudication constitutes a fundamental concern in both private and public law, as judicial bodies in each of these domains render decisions that are significant and, in certain instances, far-reaching in their implications. In Perspectives on Law, however, the point of departure is not the perspective of the judge tasked with resolving a particular case, as is customary in doctrinal legal courses. Rather, the course adopts a reflective stance directed at the institution and practice of adjudication itself. It offers a systematic examination of adjudication from both theoretical and empirical perspectives.

The course engages with a range of normative theories in order to develop a deeper understanding of judicial decision-making within a democratic state governed by the rule of law. In addition, attention is devoted to empirical legal research, with particular emphasis on the methodological requirements for adequately addressing research questions. The course further seeks to foster a critical and reflective attitude toward positive law, with specific regard to contemporary practices of adjudication.

Theme I. Legal Reasoning: Judicial Decision-Making

The first part of the course examines judicial decision-making from a theoretical perspective. It addresses a variety of theories of legal reasoning that seek to elucidate the manner in which judges arrive at their decisions. Central to this inquiry is the question of the extent to which judicial decision-making is determined by legal norms. To what degree is the judge bound by the law, and to what extent does judicial discretion play a role in determining the correct outcome in a given case? These theories also engage with the normative question of how judges ought to arrive at their decisions and which considerations may legitimately inform judicial reasoning. Particular attention is devoted to cases in which legal professionals disagree as to the correct legal outcome—the so-called “hard cases.” Furthermore, this part of the course explores competing normative theories of democracy and the rule of law. It concludes with a reflection on the professional role and responsibilities of legal practitioners within a democratic constitutional order.

Theme II. Law from Below: The Everyday Practice of Adjudication

The second part of the course adopts an empirical perspective on contemporary Dutch legal practice. It shifts the focus away from abstract theory and exceptional “hard cases” toward the large volume of routine cases that constitute the daily work of the judiciary. This part demonstrates that legal proceedings frequently involve factual—that is, empirical—questions, while at the same time revealing that the relevant empirical information is often incomplete or unavailable.

Subsequently, attention is directed to the evolving role of the judge, which increasingly extends beyond the mere resolution of legal disputes to encompass broader aspirations of social effectiveness. This expansion of the judicial role has, however, been met with considerable criticism. In particular, fundamental questions have been raised concerning the judge’s capacity to function as a problem-solver. Notwithstanding these concerns, legal practice itself—through a variety of bottom-up initiatives—appears in certain respects to be developing more rapidly than the theoretical and normative frameworks intended to account for it. In this sense, the course concludes with an exploration of “law from below.”

1. Kennis, begrip en inzicht
Na afloop van de cursus:

• heeft de student kennis van en inzicht in het onderscheid tussen empirische, conceptuele, rechtsinterpretatieve en normatieve perspectieven op het recht.;
• heeft de student kennis van en inzicht in de casusgerichtheid van juristen en het fenomeen van verhullend argumenteren;
• heeft de student kennis van en inzicht in de rechtsvindingstheorieën van het rechtsrealisme, Hart, Dworkin en Scholten;
• heeft de student kennis van en inzicht in het rechtsbegrip dat ten grondslag ligt aan de rechtsvindingstheorieën van het rechtsrealisme, Hart, Dworkin en Scholten;
• heeft de student kennis van en inzicht in de (veranderende) rol van de Nederlandse rechter;
• heeft de student kennis van en inzicht in het hedendaagse debat over de (on)mogelijkheid van de rechter als probleemoplosser;
• heeft de student kennis van inzicht in de empirische bestudering van het recht.

2. Contextuele inbedding
Na afloop van de cursus:

• kan de student een beargumenteerd standpunt innemen over de taak van de rechter op basis van de rechtsvindingstheorieën van het rechtsrealisme, Hart, Dworkin en Scholten;
• kan de student een kritische houding aannemen ten aanzien van de (veranderende) rol van de rechter, waarbij de student zowel van empirische als normatieve argumenten gebruik maakt;
• kan de student dit standpunt illustreren aan de hand van een concrete casus.

3. Algemene academische en juridische vaardigheden (niveau 2)
Na afloop van de cursus:

• kan de student op methodisch verantwoorde wijze relevante gezaghebbende bronnen (jurisprudentie; wetenschappelijke literatuur) selecteren voor het paper; beoordeelt kritisch de diepgang, volledigheid en perspectief van de bronnen en verwerkt informatie in een toegankelijk betoog;
• kan de student op een heldere wijze een betoog onderbouwen op basis van verschillende argumenten die in onderlinge samenhang gepresenteerd worden.
• kan de student verbanden leggen tussen de onderwerpen van de cursus, en tussen de thematiek van de cursus en positiefrechtelijke vakken;
• kan een student op een begrijpelijke wijze peer feedback geven op de papers van medestudenten.

Do you study at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) or Wageningen University and Research (WUR)? You can enrol via eduXchange.nl

Er bestaat voldoende voorkennis van de cursussen op niveau 1 van de opleiding.