About the Netherlands Institute for Law and 
Governance (NILG)

Balancing public and private interests

The Netherlands Institute for Law and Governance (NILG) is a joint venture between the faculties of law at the VU University Amsterdam, the University of Groningen and other research institutions to improve research in the field of Law and Governance. The NILG’s research theme is the interaction between the regulation of public and private interests in law and the way in which these interests are being regulated.

Partners in the NILG are the Groningen Centre for Law and Governance (GCL), the VU University Amsterdam Centre for Law and Governance (VU CLG), the Law and Governance Group (WUR) and the Chair Public Governance Law (UT). The NILG is an open platform: third parties are explicitly invited to participate.

The NILG’s research theme not only calls for “internal” legal research but also for reflections on the function of law in the regulatory state. The institute’s research profile is primarily legal. Against this background, there is much room for cross-analysis, both in terms of the different legal fields and other scientific disciplines. The NILG conducts independent scientific research, which is relevant and of interest to government and industry. The practical application of this umbrella theme can vary. This means that the research remains socially relevant in a dynamic society.

In preparation of the launch of the Netherlands Institute for Law and Governance (NILG) on 16 November 2009, the institute commissioned several studies related to the research theme.. On the basis of these studies a film has been made that was shown at the founding conference of the NILG. You can watch this film (again) here.

Connection, scale increase and visibility

The NILG focuses on cooperation with individual researchers, institutions and faculties in the Netherlands and abroad, who are attracted to the research theme. The institute’s principal objectives are to create connection between research projects, to increase the scale and to improve the visibility of research and researchers. The institute is an open platform for the exchange of expertise and researchers. This open character is a logical consequence of its objectives.

The NILG’s activities are suited to its character and objectives. It not only organises diverse conferences and symposiums but it also arranges the annual research meetings for the participating researchers and publishes its own publication series. Finally, the international aspect is given impetus with a GCL visitors programme, within the context of which (inter)national top talent will be welcomed to the Netherlands.

The institute is assisted by an Advisory Committee, composed of prominent lawyers mainly engaged in legal practice. From this position they are able to contribute to the drawing up of the research programme in particular.