Prof. mr. Dineke de Groot

Professor Dineke de Groot, President of Supreme Court of the Netherlands, received an honorary doctorate for her outstanding social merits and academic achievements, fostering the connection between the judiciary and society. She is the first female President of the Netherlands Supreme Court. She has been an endowed professor of Jurisprudence and Conflict Resolution at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam since 2011. De Groot received the honorary doctorate because of her extraordinary efforts to strengthen the connection between the judiciary and society. She is sensitive to the position of the more vulnerable parties in society while confidently defending the importance, position, and role of law and justice in society. Especially with a view to current social challenges like polarization and doubts about the government's ability to solve these problems, this is essential for citizens’ confidence in the rule of law. She is also committed to possibilities for improvement and the opportunities offered by digitization within the judiciary.

Honorary supervisors Van Gulijk and Wibier: “By presenting this honorary doctorate to Professor De Groot, the university underlines the connection between the judiciary and the academic study of the law. They need each other and contribute, each in their own way, to the indispensable confidence of citizens in the rule of law. Professor De Groot has dedicated her entire career to maintaining trust in the judiciary, something that is increasingly important in times of polarization.”

Professor Geert Vervaeke, Dean of Tilburg Law School: “We are proud to be able to present an honorary doctorate to Dineke de Groot. This is consistent with our solid substantive legal tradition and builds a bridge to the law of the future in which lawyers are open to more influences and disciplines and are involved in social change without losing their individuality or independent position.”

Download her acceptance speech