Stefan Sagel wins ‘Gouden Peer’ in labour law
On 10 February, Stefan Sagel was awarded a prestigious ‘Gouden Peer’ in labour law by ‘Mr.’, a well-known platform for legal professionals in the Netherlands. Twenty fellow experts nominated the Professor of Labour Law for the award.
Professor Sagel is the first legal professional since 2010 to receive a Gouden Peer from 'Mr.'. The award was launched in 2007 when Ferdinand Grapperhaus, former Minister of Justice and Security, was the first recipient. Over the next three years, many well-known legal professionals were honoured to receive the award.
‘I don't generally find prizes that important. My reward is the appreciation of satisfied clients, winning a court case, or receiving good teaching evaluations from students. That's what really counts and what really matters,' Sagel says. 'But, of course, it’s wonderful to receive such appreciation and recognition from my peers, especially when you see who voted - all leading people in our field, people who inspire me.’
According to the professor, it’s a wonderful field of law to work in: ‘Not only because it’s an interesting area that’s constantly evolving, but also because there are many good people in the world of labour law. Labour law is all about people, about being able to earn a living from work. That attracts people who care about others.'
Peers
Unlike many other awards, the ‘Gouden Peer’ is not awarded by an independent jury, but rather by ‘peers’ or fellow legal professionals. The Dutch name for the award, a ‘Gouden Peer’ (golden pear), is a clever play on words. The word peer has two meanings: it refers to the fruit, but also to peers or colleagues. Each ‘Gouden Peer’ is awarded to the most distinguished professional in a particular area of law, chosen by a group of around 20 to 25 peers active in the same field. According to Mr., the recipient of the award may therefore rightfully call themselves primus inter pares, first among equals.
Although it’s nice to receive such appreciation, Professor Sagel says it’s important to never overestimate one’s own role: ‘Especially at a large law firm, the work is often really a team effort. I’m fortunate that I get to work with immensely talented young people. So this award is also recognition of all their hard work.'
Sagel has found a nice spot to display the award: ‘I don’t have a fixed desk at my law firm or the faculty, so I’m keeping it at home next to the fruit bowl.’