Vulnerable Citizens in Need, Tilburg Law School Aims to Train More Social Lawyers

There is a growing need for social lawyers who are committed to supporting people in vulnerable situations. The number of such lawyers has been declining for years, putting the rights of citizens with limited financial means under pressure. Tilburg Law School is preparing students for this field through the Master’s in Social Law.

Who helps people at the lower end of society when they are in trouble? When facing possible dismissal, unjustified demands for benefits repayments, or issues caused by debt? Social lawyers do: they know their way through the maze of regulations and institutions and assist vulnerable individuals through subsidized legal aid. In the Netherlands, everyone has the right to legal assistance.

But who supports the social lawyer? They often work as hard as their counterparts in commercial law but at a much lower hourly rate. Many are nearing retirement, with few graduates ready to take up the mantle.

The sector is emptying: over the past five years, the number of social lawyers has decreased by nearly 900. By 2023, only 4,389 social lawyers remained, according to the Legal Aid Board. This shortage is an issue because without reinforcement, it becomes increasingly difficult to provide legal support to people with limited budgets.

In response, Tilburg Law School created the Extended Master’s in Social Law, spotlighting a sector in crisis. Students who choose this specialization combine existing profiles in labor law and family and juvenile law, with an added half-year of study.

Caught in the System

“The rule of law does not work optimally for people with limited budgets,” says Professor of Private Law Reinout Wibier. Without sufficient social lawyers, the system risks leaving people behind. Together with Professor of Private Law Stéphanie van Gulijk and Professor of Family and International Private Law Ian Sumner, Wibier established the new study track. “There is an urgent need for young people in social law.”

Whether young people are interested in social law remains to be seen. During an advanced private law lecture on a Thursday afternoon in September, only one student expressed interest in social law. However, choices are often made after starting the master’s, so the picture could change.

A Strong Training Program

Social law is relatively unknown among law students, which doesn’t help. Wibier and his colleagues believe that early exposure would benefit students by showing them that a career in social law is both an option and rewarding work.

Stéphanie van Gulijk explains that while students who follow the Extended Master in Social Law do not have to become social lawyers, the program provides a solid foundation for various legal roles. “This master’s program gives students time to explore what kind of lawyer they want to be.”

Everyday Issues

Social lawyer Jean-Louis van Os of the Lawyers Collective in Tilburg believes that social law addresses “ordinary issues for ordinary people.” This work contrasts with the more common focus in university law studies on business cases and financial disputes. Van Os points out that academic programs have traditionally been too detached from real-world issues.

In the 1970s, Van Os joined the Tilburg Legal Clinic and, in 1985, founded the Lawyers Collective to bring legal aid to ordinary citizens. “A social lawyer often has to function as both legal and social support, helping with practical matters such as contacting the municipality for assistance with welfare applications.”

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Practice often works differently from theory, says Van Os. “An employer isn’t allowed to just fire you, but what if they do it anyway? You can’t approach something like that purely academically. Someone is left without money and needs immediate help.”

In this regard, he has more confidence in graduates from universities of applied sciences. “Students from these schools are miles ahead of university graduates. They have a better understanding of what’s going on in the world.”

Practice Makes Perfect

Ian Sumner acknowledges that while universities emphasize theory, practical skills develop in the workplace. “Universities cannot primarily focus on practical experience, but we try to incorporate it into this study track.” The course “Capita Selecta Social Law” includes practice-oriented lectures and assignments, with social lawyers coming in to share real-world insights.

The program, however, does not require internships, as this could delay students’ graduation. But professors see the Extended Master as a way to give students more time to find their direction, and an internship could be part of that exploration.

Impact on People

Finding students interested in social law remains a challenge, but professors and lecturers are committed to making a difference. In a lecture on private law, students not only learned about the legal aspects of debt but also about the social implications. “Think beyond the theory,” said Professor Danielle Op Heij, encouraging students to consider the impact of these issues on people’s lives.

The hope is that this reflection will plant the seed for a new generation of social lawyers, ensuring that vulnerable members of society continue to have access to legal support.

The Social Law specialization will officially launch on Friday, November 15, with the “Access to Justice” conference, featuring speakers such as Dineke de Groot, President of the Supreme Court, Sanne van Oers, Dean of the Dutch Bar Association, and Teun Struycken, Secretary for Legal Protection.

Judith Sigmond (21), Bachelor’s Student in Law and Legal Assistant at AdvocatenCollectief

“After my studies, I want to become a lawyer; I’ve known that since my third year of high school. Of course, one attractive aspect is that it can be a high-paying job. As a social lawyer, you earn less than at a commercial firm, but I don’t mind. You get to help people with your knowledge, and that’s incredibly rewarding.

“At a social law firm, you see what’s going on in the daily lives of citizens. As a legal assistant, I get to help draft petitions or parenting plans, and sometimes I call the municipality. You can read literature, but seeing the law in action is when it really clicks. It comes to life.

“As a social lawyer, you deal a lot with tenancy law or family law. The challenge is that subjects like these aren’t covered in the bachelor’s degree. I had never even heard of social law. That’s why it’s good that the master’s program exists. Does it prepare students well for practice? It depends on whether they do an internship and learn things like negotiation skills and client interaction.”

Judith Sigmond. Image: Ton Toemen

Jense van Kammen (26), Master’s Student in Social Advocacy

“It’s the personal issues that resonate with me. This specialization deals with problems that people in my own environment face too—finding a job, experiencing discrimination. My friends aren’t dealing with corporate takeovers.

“Do I want to become a lawyer? I’m not sure yet. I’m also very interested in working for a union, an NGO, or a children’s advocacy organization. This master’s program is making me consider social advocacy as a potential path. The income for a social lawyer doesn’t match the education level and workload, but the societal value of this field is undeniable.

“At university, you examine issues very critically, which is enjoyable. Though sometimes you’re assigned mostly dry literature. That’s a difference from the applied sciences law program I did before. There, you also learn how to communicate with clients, which has been very useful in my work at a small law firm. You learn how to convey a message with empathy on paper, rather than just providing a legal analysis. Sometimes, people simply need care and support.”

Jense van Kammen. Image: Ton Toemen

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