Strategic alliance between academia, courts and Public Prosecution Service

The Faculty of Law of the University of Groningen, the courts and the North Netherlands Public Prosecution Service are going to work together more closely by forming a strategic alliance.

Existing forms of cooperation such as the Toga Master, the Student Moot Court and the Northern Courts Education Office (Bureau Onderwijs Noordelijke Gerechten) will be united in this alliance. New types of collaboration in the fields of teaching, research, expertise enhancement and staff exchanges will be initiated.

Signing the covenant

The alliance will be confirmed in a covenant called ‘Strategische Alliantie Wetenschap, Rechtbanken en Openbaar Ministerie in Noord-Nederland’ (Strategic Alliance between Academia, the Courts and the Public Prosecution Service). The covenant will be signed by the three parties on 5 December 2011 at 1.30 p.m. The ceremony will take place in the Academy Building of the University of Groningen.

Reasons for the covenant

An alliance will not only increase the social relevance of teaching and research, but also strengthen the academic legal infrastructure in the northern Netherlands. The three parties all stand to benefit from a proper exchange of knowledge, information and fresh insights. The alliance will create new opportunities for outstanding students to work at the Public Prosecution Service or one of the courts. In addition, University staff will be able to take up positions as deputy prosecutors or deputy judges.

Activity catalogue

A steering group has been founded to implement the agreements made, comprising members of the Faculty Board, the courts and the North Netherlands Public Prosecution Service. The steering group will draw up an annual plan every year and an activity catalogue will form part of this annual plan. The joint activities will be defined in this catalogue under the headings: teaching, research, staff, expertise development and training. There will also be a programme committee with a coordinator, who will be a member of staff of one of the participating parties as well as the driving force behind the alliance.

Good cooperation

The Faculty of Law, the Courts and the North Netherlands Public Prosecution Service are delighted to announce this alliance and intend to develop interesting activities and projects in the future. One of the points in the cooperation agreement is that in anticipation of the signing ceremony for the covenant, two Master’s students of criminology will be able to follow a placement at the North Netherlands Public Prosecution Service. The parties will also be examining the organization of the Toga Master Conference in the autumn of 2012.

Programme

Date: 5 December 1.30 p.m.
Location: Senate Room, Academy Building, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Words of welcome from Prof. J.B. Wezeman, Dean of the Faculty of Law

Introduction
Dr F.R. Vermeer, coordinator of the Toga Master
Prof. J.G. Brouwer, coordinator of the Student Moot Court
Ex-Toga Master students currently working for the Assen Court and the Public Prosecution Service: Anne Lize Ritsema and Tjerk Wassenaar

Speakers
P.J. Duinkerken, President of the Assen Court
J.R. Eland, regional head of the proposed North Netherlands Public Prosecution Service
Prof. J.B. Wezeman, Dean of the Faculty of Law

Signature ceremony

Reception in the Spiegelzaal of the Academy Building from 3-4 p.m.

Note for the press

The press is warmly invited to attend the signing of the covenant. Those interested can register with Ms A. Robbeson, Faculty of Law Press Office a.robbeson rug.nl
Content-related information Prof. J.B. Wezeman, Dean.