Maarten Kroeze appointed as president of the Dutch Supreme Court

Kroeze’s career reads like a blueprint of academic, legal and managerial excellence. Following his work as Assistant Professor of Trade and Corporate Law at Utrecht University and as a lawyer at Pels Rijcken & Droogleever Fortuijn in The Hague, Kroeze took up a professorship in Rotterdam in 2004. At Erasmus School of Law, he has been Professor of Corporate Law for over twenty years and also fulfilled the role of Vice-Dean of Research (2007–2009) and Dean of our School (2009–2013).  

In 2016, Kroeze did not leave academia entirely but entered the Civil Law Chambre of the Supreme Court.As Justice and from 2022 as Vice-President of the Supreme Court, he spent ten years at the pinnacle of the Dutch judiciary. Alongside this, he remained active as Professor of Company Law at our School and as Justice of the Benelux Court of Justice. 

What future awaits the President of the Supreme Court of the Netherlands?

Kroeze now faces a highly honourable role. As President, he is the functional authority for all Supreme Court judges, the chair of both the General Council and the Executive Committee, and the figurehead of the Supreme Court and the judiciary in general. Kroeze leaves no room for misunderstanding regarding the importance of the Supreme Court and his vision for this role: “The Supreme Court is an essential institution in our democratic constitution. I therefore regard this appointment as a mission.”

That mission is not without its obligations. In his interview with the Supreme Court, Kroeze speaks openly about the challenges facing him and the Supreme Court: judges who are subjected to personal pressure, institutions that must fight to retain public trust, and a geopolitical context that also affects European judicial cooperation. These are not abstract concerns but the reality with which the Supreme Court and the legal profession are confronted on a daily basis.

Despite the major challenges, Kroeze is looking forward to taking on his new role: "I consider it an honour to take over from Dineke de Groot, and to contribute  to the rule of law in our country together with everyone who works at the Supreme Court. I also see this as a responsibility. Shortly, I shall have to, once again, swear before the King that I will uphold and abide by the Constitution."

Working together to build a just society

For Erasmus School of Law, this appointment is more than just a reason to offer Kroeze personal congratulations. It is a confirmation of the Schools mission: to work towards a just society through collaboration between academia, society and (legal) practice. Harriët Schelhaas, Dean of Erasmus School of Law, comments on Kroeze’s appointment: “Erasmus School of Law is very proud of Maarten on this exceptional and honourable appointment. An appointment that does justice to the importance of law in society and is highly significant. It is also an exciting and demanding role, which Maarten will fulfil with vigour, drawing on his administrative, academic and legal experience.”