Conference on topical issues in subsidy law a huge success
On 10 June 2022, a conference on topical issues in Dutch subsidy law was held at the Old Observatory building of Leiden University. With almost 90 enthusiastic participants, it was a huge success!
The Netherlands is a nation of subsidies. Many policy objectives are achieved by stimulating desired activities by holding out the prospect of a government contribution. The importance of the subsidy instrument for the government is evident, among other things, from its extensive regulation in the Dutch General Administrative Law Act (Awb), in what is known as the subsidy title. This title came into force in 1998, but much has happened since then! High time therefore for the Juridisch PAO in Leiden to organise a conference on topical issues in subsidy law.
Various speakers took part. The day was opened by Willemien den Ouden, Professor of Constitutional and Administrative Law at Leiden University. Other speakers were: Jacobine van den Brink, Professor of Administrative Law at the University of Amsterdam; Ellen Hardy, judge at the Court of Limburg and doctoral candidate at Maastricht University; Rianne Jacobs, Professor of Constitutional and Administrative Law at VU University Amsterdam. Among other topics, they discussed the ‘new style’ subsidy, exceptive review and proportionality, limited public rights, transparency in tenders, and the uniform subsidy framework.
After lunch, participants could join various group sessions. Dorien Brugman, judge (justice) at the Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal, for example, discussed effective dispute resolution in subsidy cases. Demy Jongkind, PhD candidate at the Department of Constitutional and Administrative Law at Leiden University discussed her research on network subsidies. Louise Verboeket, lecturer and researcher in constitutional and administrative law at the University of Amsterdam held a session on ‘procure or subsidise’, and Veerle van Waarde, PhD candidate at the Public Law Department (Constitutional and Administrative Law) of the Faculty of Law at the University of Amsterdam, discussed revolving funds.
It was a very successful day, enjoyed by both speakers and participants.
