W. Raaijmakers (Wouter)

Wouter Raaijmakers (1997) completed his bachelor's degree in History with a thesis on colonial legal history. He graduated cum laude from the research master's programme in Historical Studies with a thesis on slavery history. After graduating, he developed a broader interest in colonialism and its aftermath. In this capacity, he researches colonial legal histories of Dutch and early British South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Working title: Whose Law Is It Anyway? Legislation and Litigation in Dutch and Early British Colonial South Africa and Sri Lanka, c. 1730-1830

"My research project uncovers legal strategies used by litigants to navigate the Roman-Dutch legal system in Cape Town and Colombo during Dutch and early British colonial rule. To this end, I study literature on legal pluralism and empire-building, analyse material legislation, study judicial procedures, examine the demographics of litigants and look at rhetoric in pleadings."