In order to obtain a doctorate degree independent and original research is carried out under the guidance of supervisors. This period of research generally takes 4 years in the case of a full-time appointment as a PhD candidate. The results of the research are presented in a doctoral thesis. In addition to conducting PhD research, you will follow an individual training plan. Some PhD candidates have a small proportion of teaching duties.

The Graduate School of Legal Studies provides a targeted research and training infrastructure and a doctoral research quality care and control system, offers a wide range of support services, and stimulates social exchange between PhDs.

Leiden Law School has different types of PhD researchers, PhD candidates with an employment contract with the university, and those without an employment contract.

Admission

Deze informatie is alleen in het Engels beschikbaar. [?deze link gaat naar info over traject, niet over toelating]

Following a successful application process for a PhD position, the relevant institute will offer the PhD candidate an employment contract and process the appointment in the HR system of Leiden University. The ULCN account will give you access to the network of Leiden University.

After the Graduate School receives a notification of your employment as a PhD Candidate [hopelijk blijft BB cijfers overzichten leveren], you will be sent an invitation for an introductory meeting with one of the PhD Deans. The Graduate School will ask for your master's degree, the names of your supervisors and the working title of your PhD. After the meeting the Graduate School will register you in LUCRIS/Converis; this is the PhD tracking system of Leiden University.

Please note that candidates who are employed by the university in another role (for example, as a teacher) and who pursue a PhD in their own time, are External PhD Candidates.

Application procedure

Applications are submitted through the online application form only and are accepted throughout the year.

The name(s) of the intended supervisor(s) - Professor(s) or Associate Professors granted ius promovendi at Leiden Law School - are to be included in the form, and have been contacted prior to application. 

Decisions on applications are made only in case the form and all required documents are received by the Graduate School. 

The full application includes the form accompanied by the following annexes:

• a research proposal of at least 2,000 words (excl. bibliography) describing at minimum the research questions, the main relevant literature, the academic and societal importance of the research, and the methodology;
• a detailed research plan describing the various tasks, activities and outputs (publications) including methods, and including a timeline for the multi-year project;
• a proof of academic writing, such as a master's thesis, publication, or other (academic) text;
• your CV;
• a scan of your Master diploma (the equivalent of an LL.M./Master degree obtained in The Netherlands), including list of grades;
• proof of English language proficiency (if applicable). 

A format for the research proposal and research plan can be found here.

Fees

At Leiden Law School, three departments offer a special programme to pursue a PhD track, for which they charge a fee: the International Institute of Air and Space Law, the Van Vollenhoven Institute and the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies.

Funding

External PhD candidates have to make their own arrangements for the funding of their research and living costs. External funding possibilities can be explored with your supervisor(s). Vacancies at Leiden Law School are advertised. 

Pre-PhD Programma

The Pre-PhD Programme (PPP) is intended for LLM students studying at the Faculty of Law of Leiden University who would like to pursue a PhD. During this programme, you can further strengthen your research skills, gain experience in (legal) academic research during the science internship and receive help in writing a proposal for a PhD project (in Leiden or elsewhere).

PhD training programme at Leiden Law School

https://www.staff.universiteitleiden.nl/research/phds/phd-trajectory/phd-track/law?cf=law#tab-1 
deze tekst liever niet inkorten, maar in sub-accordeons als dat mogelijk is, tekst gaat over: 

TSP

PhD training

Data Management

LUCRIS/Converis

Additional Rules and Guidelines - Leiden Law School

This document is intended to supplement and elaborate on the regulations and guidelines of Leiden University, the Collective Labour Agreement (CAO) of Dutch Universities, and the information on PhD research on the website of Leiden University.

Ethics and Data Committee

Ethics and Data Committee

Doctorate on the basis of articles

Policy on obtaining a doctorate on the basis of articles

Zie eventueel nog voor aanvullingen:

https://www.staff.universiteitleiden.nl/research/phds/regulations-and-guidelines/law?cf=law#tab-2

https://www.organisatiegids.universiteitleiden.nl/en/faculties-and-institutes/law/faculty-bureau/department-of-research-e.m.-meijers-institute/graduate-school-of-legal-studies/phd-research

The PhD Deans supervise the progress of individual PhD candidates’ research and provide them with advice. Among other things, they conduct the starting and evaluation interviews with PhD candidates, discuss the Training and Supervision Plan with them and help to shape policy on doctoral studies. 

The three PhD Deans each have responsibility for PhD candidates from a number of departments/institutes:

Jim Been is PhD Dean for PhD candidates of:

• Institute for the Interdisciplinary Study of the Law
  - Jurisprudence
  - Moot Court and advocacy
  - Philosophy of Law
  - Legal History
• Institute of Private Law

Ekaterina Pannebakker is PhD Dean for PhD candidates of:

• Institute of Public Law
• Institute for the Interdisciplinary Study of the Law
  - eLaw- Center for Law and Digital Technologies
  - Van Vollenhoven Institute 

Cecily Rose is PhD Dean for PhD candidates of:

• Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology
• Institute of Tax Law and Economics

Contact

To make an appointment with one of the PhD Deans, you can send an email to the Graduate School.

As a PhD candidate you can experience problems in the relationship with your supervisor or co-supervisor, your immediate superior, colleagues or other PhD candidates. If you are unable to solve these problems, even with the assistance of the PhD Dean, you can turn to the confidential counsellor for PhD candidates.

The confidential counsellor is an independent official, who observes strict confidentiality in all matters that you discuss with her. To start with, she will listen to you. Her role is then to clarify the problem together with you and - if you so wish - to provide advice and support in solving it.

Dr Rikki Holtmaat is not employed by Leiden Law School. As retired professor who worked at Leiden Law School for more than thirty years, she is well aware of how things work and the possible roads that can be taken to try to find a solution for your problem.

You can contact Dr Rikki Holtmaat on workdays per email, and upon appointment. Appointments will be held at a location outside the KOG.

The Leiden Law PhD Community (LLPC) connects all PhD candidates at Leiden Law School. Through social events, it fosters an open and inclusive community where PhD candidates, including international and external candidates, can connect across the faculty. The LLPC consists of the following bodies:

The PhD Committee

The PhD Committee is the organisational body of the LLPC, run by a rotating group of PhD candidates. It organises monthly and annual events, both social and informative, to strengthen the PhD community, such as drinks, the annual dinner and gala, and activities for international candidates. The committee also liaises with the PhD Representative and the Graduate School of Legal Studies. For questions or ideas, please contact Mohammed Raiz or Joep Schoenmakers.

PhD Representative

The PhD Representative is the point of contact for PhD candidates of all departments at Leiden Law School. The PhD Representative will gather input on ways to further improve PhD research and the PhD trajectory. For questions or ideas, please contact Maria-Lucia Rebrean.

WhatsApp group

The LLPC has an informal WhatsApp group where PhD candidates are informed about upcoming events and can also organise or promote their own activities. To join this WhatsApp group, please contact Mohammed Raiz or Joep Schoenmakers.

Meijersreeks

De Faculteit der Rechtsgeleerdheid kent een eigen boekenreeks voor proefschriften (en boeken naar aanleiding van congressen en symposia). Meer informatie.

Stappenplan leidend tot openbare verdediging

De Faculteit der Rechtsgeleerdheid voorziet in een eigen stappenplan leidend tot de openbare verdediging van het proefschrift.

Vergoedingen

De Faculteit der Rechtsgeleerdheid voorziet in een aantal vergoedingen voor promovendi. Meer informatie. 

Reglementen en richtlijnen

Alle reglementen en richtlijnen van de Faculteit der Rechtsgeleerdheid.