DAWN
Research theme 2024-2025 // Pioneering in Legal Science 

Research Goals 2024-2025

Apply jurimetric methods to challenges in international environmental law:

The concept of the "right of nature" can be understood through various lenses, including anthropocentric, eco-centric, biocentric, and holistic approaches. Each perspective offers a different view on the value of nature and the legal considerations that should guide human interactions with the natural world. While anthropocentrism focuses on human benefits, ecocentrism and biocentrism emphasize the intrinsic value of ecosystems and living beings, respectively. Holistic and deep ecology approaches advocate for a profound transformation in human attitudes and behaviors towards nature, recognizing the interconnectedness of all life.
In 12 monthly podcasts, we will explore how these perspectives can be reconciled with our current civil law system using formal and jurimetrical methods, focusing on three main building blocks of civil law: property law, liability law, and unjust enrichment.

Research fundamental rules (axioma's) of moral systems:

The establishment of axioms is fundamental to the development of abstract jurimetrics. These axioms provide the essential foundation for creating logical, consistent, and coherent legal systems. By establishing clear and self-evident principles, axioms enable the derivation of theorems, the formulation of precise definitions, and the exploration of complex legal structures. They also enhance communication within the legal community by providing a common framework of understanding.
Axioms serve as the starting point for proving further legal principles and theorems, creating a structured body of legal knowledge. They help define fundamental legal concepts with precision, ensuring clarity and reducing ambiguity in legal discourse. Axioms support the systematic exploration of legal systems, allowing for a deeper understanding of their underlying principles. A shared set of axioms fosters effective communication and collaboration within the legal community. They play a crucial role in testing and refining legal theories, driving innovation and expanding the boundaries of legal science.
Our long-term ambition is to derive the axioms of law. Grounded in Rawls' theory of justice, we hypothesize that balance and order are fundamental principles. We aim to investigate whether these principles hold true across various moral systems, effectively exploring axioms that transcend individual legal systems.

Research on Historical Thought Regarding the Use of Mathematics in Legal Science:

Establishing the role of jurimetrics in legal science can be approached in several ways. While it is still too early to achieve broad scientific external validity, its utility can be demonstrated, as shown in the research objective on international environmental law. Additionally, its value is supported by recognizing that significant thinkers of the past acknowledged its importance.
In 12 monthly podcasts, we will explore the perspectives of prominent historical legal scientists and philosophers, both for and against the application of formal and mathematical methods in legal science. Each episode will be based on an in-depth analysis of their significant published works. The following scholars and their seminal books will be discussed:

Bernoulli - The use of the Art of Conjecturing in Law
Gaius - The Institutes
Aristotle - Nicomachean Ethics
Bentham - An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation
Leibniz - The New Method of Learning and Teaching. Jurisprudence According to the Principles of the Didactic Art premised in the General Part and in the Light of Experience
Posner - The Economic Structure of Tort Law
Grotius - Commentary on the Law of Prize and Booty
Hobbes - Leviathan
Von Savigny - Of the Vocation of Our Age for Legislation and Jurisprudence
Pufendorf - Two Books of the Elements of Universal Jurisprudence
Kant - The Science of Right
Hayek - Law, Legislation, and Liberty

Collaboration with LegalTech Startups:

Jurimetrica Academy aims to engage in partnerships with LegalTech startups and collaborate with various institutions to facilitate the implementation of innovative solutions across diverse legal systems and contexts. Our goal is to become a knowledge partner for at least one successful startup in this academic year.

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For comments and questions, please contact:
Antonius Kwaijtaal, Research Director - anton@antonkwaijtaal.com.


Reseach Program: Advancing Access to Justice through Jurimetrics and LegalTech 2024-2028

Securing access to justice is an inherent human right, yet a significant number of individuals, especially those in more vulnerable positions, encounter difficulties in navigating the legal system. Beyond its individual implications, access to justice is pivotal for upholding confidence in the legal system and is a cornerstone for sustaining social stability. This research initiative is committed to gaining a deeper understanding of these challenges and crafting potential solutions through the application of jurimetrics and LegalTech. Our program aims to advance access to justice, fostering a legal landscape characterized by fairness and equity.

Enhancing access to justice is a pivotal and time-critical concern that demands innovative, multidisciplinary strategies. Important ongoing research encompasses viewing law as an instrument, delving into legal economics, analyzing the various paths people take to access justice, and probing subjective perceptions of legal access, among other aspects. Our emphasis enriches the existing body of knowledge as we delve into the restructuring of operational frameworks within courts and other adjudicative bodies.