The Netherlands Institute for Law and Governance (NILG)
Law and governance operate within an ever-changing societal context, influenced by factors such as technology, economics, and politics. In an era of globalization and digitalization, it is crucial to take these developments into account in the formation and application of law. The Netherlands Institute for Law and Governance (NILG) focuses on the interaction between law and governance, with particular attention to emerging themes such as digital rights, sustainable policymaking, and ethics in legislation.
Law and Governance Research
Legal research is increasingly challenged to look beyond a single, specific field of law. Because law is closely intertwined with societal developments, a law and governance approach promotes interdisciplinary and meta-legal research.
The NILG also encourages the internationalization of law and governance research. Ongoing trends of Europeanization and globalization affect nearly all societal issues, making comparative approaches essential for deeper understanding.
A notable trend is the blurring of boundaries between public and private law, both nationally and internationally. Private actors not only play an increasing role in representing public interests, but also in regulating them. The NILG examines the impact of these shifts in legislation and regulation, where the traditional division of roles between the public and private sectors is increasingly being challenged.
Coherence, Scaling, and Visibility
The NILG focuses on collaboration with researchers, institutions, and faculties, both nationally and internationally, that are interested in law and governance research. Its main objectives are to promote coherence in research, achieve greater scale, and enhance the visibility of the field. The institute provides an open platform for knowledge sharing, among other things by organizing conferences and PhD Forums.
In addition, the NILG has two journals: the double-blind peer-reviewed European Journal of Comparative Law and Governance and the journal Family & Law, as well as its own book series with Boom Juridisch, consisting of a general series and four thematic series (as the series is in Dutch, the Dutch names are provided, with an English translation between brackets):
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Governance & Recht (Governance & Law)
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Vastgoed, Omgeving & Recht (Property, Environment & Law)
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Markt, Overheid & Recht (Market, Government & Law)
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Familie & Recht (Family & Law)
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Openbare Orde, Veiligheid & Recht (Public Order, Safety & Law)
