Dr. J.H.M. (Jonathan) Huijts LLM began his academic career at the Faculty of Law of Maastricht University. Since 2016, he has been affiliated with the Department of Constitutional and administrative Law at Leiden University. In 2020, he obtained his PhD with the dissertation 'Nadeelcompensatie en tegemoetkoming in planschade. Titel 4.5 Awb en afdeling 15.1 Omgevingswet: tussen eenheid en verscheidenheid (Bouwrecht monografieën nr. 42)'. In this dissertation, Jonathan examined what lessons can be drawn from 70 years of disadvantage compensation law (nadeelcompensatierecht), much of which was embedded in special compensation schemes and case law. With those lessons in mind, he analyzed whether the new disadvantage compensation law that came into effect on January 1st, 2024, is suitable for achieving its own objectives.

Liability has always been a subject of academic interest and fascination for Jonathan. Since earning his PhD, he has conducted research on sustainability issues and the role that liability law plays in addressing them. For example, he carried out postdoctoral research on the regulation of single-use plastics and, since January 1st, 2024, he has been working on a research project — funded by the Leiden University Fund (LUF) — on the liability of governments and large producers for environmental and climate-related damage.

Jonathan shares his expertise with practitioners through various courses in Postgraduate Legal Education. He is also responsible for coordinating the master's course Government Liability (Overheidsaansprakelijkheid), which trains students in Dutch public liability law and its (international) developments. In addition, he is an active contributor to undergraduate teaching in constitutional and administrative law.