Sociology of Law and Studies of Law in the Netherlands

The author describes his knowledge and impressions gained during his studying stay at the Faculty of Law of the Erasmus University in Rotterdam in the Netherlands that was organized by the Tempus programme. The law studies together with the economic studies are the most desired subjects of studies in the Netherlands as well as in our country. However, potentional students do not have to pass any entrance exams, therefore the exams are very severe in the first year and approximately half of the students fail. The students are encouraged to work independently especially during their preparation time for the exams. They are more tenacious of purpose in comparison with the Czech students and they show a greater interest of acquiring new knowledge. As far as the teaching staff is concerned, it is possible to discern a deeper informality of relations that is reBected in a lower social stratification in the sense of the superiority. and inferiority relations according to the academic degrees. As for the everyday social contacts at the university, a higher co-operation of mutual relations as well as an endavour to comply and help are obvious in comparison with these relations in our country. Moreover, it is not possible to disregard the protestant tradition of individualism, industry and modesty. The Dutch sociology of law aims at the Anglo-Saxon branch of science that is noted for empirism, pragmatism and sociotechnical exploitation of the scientific achievments. The author has gained a plenty of precious items of information thanks to the ample university library.