Lecturer smiling at camera
Lecturer smiling at camera

Defending the Rule of Law in Europe

The rule of law has been under pressure in Europe. Countries have taken measures that undermine the independence of the judiciary and the protection of human rights. Such rule of law backsliding has gone hand in hand with unrestricted political and media attacks against the judiciary as well as NGOs. This one week summer course focuses on how the rule of law can be bolstered.

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General

The rule of law has been under pressure in recent years. Several EU Member States have taken measures that undermine the independence of the judiciary or the protection of fundamental rights. Disciplinary procedures have, for example, been introduced in Hungary and Poland against judges, coupled with questionable appointment processes of new judges. Such rule of law backsliding has gone hand in hand with unrestricted political and media attacks against the judiciary as well as NGOs. Also in other European countries, the rule of law requires constant maintenance and attention. The Council of Europe’s Venice Commission, for instance, held that the resilience of the Dutch rule of law system needs to be strengthened.

This course addresses the question how it can be ensured that the rule of law is sufficiently protected: what role do EU standards and EU institutions play in the protection of these values?

Learning objectives

  1. Have a solid interdisciplinary understanding of the concept ‘rule of law’
  2. Assess the strength and weaknesses of various EU (judicial protection) procedures
  3. Develop critical thinking skills to assess the rule of law situation in your own country in the light of the existing EU legal and political framework
  4. Develop presentation and analytical skills on a topic related to the rule of law

Starting date

22 June 2026, 8:30 am
Location
Buildings on campus
City
Nijmegen
Costs
€925
Discount
15% when applying before 1 April 2026
VAT-free
Yes
Educational method
On-site
Main Language
English
Deadline registration
15 May 2026, 11:59 pm
Teacher(s)
Prof. J. Krommendijk (Jasper)
Maximum number of participants
45

Factsheet

Type of education
Course
Entry requirements
A basic understanding of (EU) law and the EU is necessary. We welcome enthusiastic students with a wish to learn more about the rule of law and a willingness to engage actively in class discussions.
Study load (ECTS)
2
Result
Edubadge, Proof of participation
Organisation
Radboud Summer School

Contact information

Radboud Summer School
Postbus 9102
6500 HC NIJMEGEN

radboudsummerschool [at] ru.nl (radboudsummerschool[at]ru[dot]nl)

timetable
Jasper Krommendijk Defending the Rule of law

Jasper Krommendijk (1985) is Professor of Human Rights Law and Director of the Research Centre for State and Law (SteR). His research focuses on human rights, the rule of law, and the interaction between international and Dutch legal systems. Since 2022, he holds the Jean Monnet Chair on the Rule of Law (EURoLNAT) and engages students in activities like guest lectures in primary schools.

He earned his PhD at Maastricht University in 2014 on the effectiveness of UN human rights committees and later worked on NWO-funded projects, including one on the collaboration between EU and national courts. Krommendijk chairs the Netherlands Network of Human Rights Research (NNHRR), serves as deputy judge, and is on editorial boards of several human rights journals.

Petra Bard Rule of Law

Dr. habil. Petra Bárd LL.M. PhD is Professor of Sustainable Rule of Law at the Research Centre for State and Law (SteR), Radboud University (since 1 September 2022). She is also a researcher at the Central European University’s Legal Studies Department and CEU Democracy Institute, as well as an associate professor at Eötvös Loránd University’s Faculty of Law. Furthermore, she is a visiting professor at Goethe University in Frankfurt. Previously, she led the Criminal Law Division at Hungary’s National Institute of Criminology (2006–2016).

Her work focuses on the rule of law, fundamental rights, EU criminal cooperation, and related European enforcement mechanisms. She has authored numerous publications, contributed to EU-funded projects, and produced studies on topics like media pluralism, SLAPP, disinformation, and victims' rights.

Ronald Tinnevelt Defending the rule of law

Ronald Tinnevelt researches the resilience of democracy, political parties, and global justice. He is co-editing European Ways of Life (2024) with L. Corrias and recently contributed to works on institutional legitimacy (Utrecht Law Review, 2023), the rule of law (Naar een weerbare rechtsstaat, 2022), and polarization (Polarisatie en perspectief, 2022).

Reinout van de Veer Defending the Rule of law

Reinout van der Veer is an assistant professor of International Relations in Political Science. His research focuses on the legitimacy and functioning of international organizations like the EU and UN, exploring topics such as politicization, responsiveness, expertise in decision-making, and public opinion. Starting in 2024, he will lead a Veni project on how international organizations balance expertise with societal demands.

He earned his PhD (cum laude) from Erasmus University Rotterdam in 2020, with his award-winning dissertation Enforcing the Unenforceable. Previously, he was a senior researcher at the Netherlands Court of Audit and a visiting researcher at WZB Berlin Social Science Center.

Henri de Waele is Full Professor of International and European Law, specializing in European institutional law, EU citizenship, judicial protection, and the Union's role in international law. His research also covers the EU's external relations and the foundations of public international law.

Since 2010, he has been Guest Professor of EU External Relations Law at the University of Antwerp and was Visiting Professor at the University of Bonn (2013–2023) and National Taiwan University (2015–2016). He has lectured at prestigious institutions, including Cambridge, King’s College London, and the College of Europe.

Costs

Early bird | €787

The deadline for our early bird application is 31 March 2026.

Regular | €925

The deadline for our regular application is the 15 May 2026.

Includes

Your course, coffee and tea during breaks, warm lunch every day, welcome dinner on Monday, Official Opening, Official Closing.

Excludes

Transport, accommodation, social events and other costs. 

Discounts and scholarships

There are discounts and scholarships available for our partners. Click below to find out if you are eligible. 

Discounts and scholarships

Admission

Level of participant

Bachelor, Advanced Bachelor, Master, PHD, Postdoc, Professional.

Admission requirements

A background in law or social sciences is welcomed but not essential for the course. A basic understanding of (EU) law and the EU is, however, necessary. The course is designed as an (advanced) introductory course addressing various aspects of rule of law approaches from different disciplines. Participants should, thus, be open towards such an interdisciplinary approach. We welcome enthusiastic students with a wish to learn more about the rule of law and a willingness to engage actively in class discussions.

Admission documents

Motivation letter.