Climbing hall and directors convicted of fatal fall of 11-year-old boy
Today the Amsterdam District Court (Criminal Chamber) handed down its verdict in the “Climbing Wall” case. In this sad case, a boy fell 14 meters down during a children's party because it turned out he was not properly secured. This became fatal to him. Arlette Schijns, Irene Timmermans and Nicole Hoogenboom assisted the relatives in the criminal case in which [...]
Parents of Saar (12), who died after colliding with a Birò on a bike path: 'I knew immediately, this is all wrong'
Mopeds like Biròs should not be allowed on the bike path, but should be on the carriageway: for a bike path they are too big, too fast and too heavy with a greater risk of serious accidents. Mildred Brun assists the parents of 12-year-old Saar who died in a collision on the bike path with a Birò. She [...]
Online seminar Slachtofferhulp Nederland
Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 at 3 p.m. Arlette Schijns will participate in an online seminar by Slachtofferhulp Nederland as part of the European Day of the Victim. The theme of the seminar is “break through the image of victimhood.” Other participants in the discussion are Klaas Dijkhoff, Damian Denys (psychiatrist), Alice Bosman and a [...]
Financial distress after serious crime, Victim Support wants action
Arlette Schijns conducts research on the compensation of crime injuries and has argued in previous publications for a modification of the compensation system, including allowing insurance law to play a greater role in the compensation of crime injuries. Her doctoral research is made possible by Fund Victim Support. See article NOS: Financial distress after serious crime, Victim Support wants [...]
Civil court rules on shock damages
On February 27, 2024, the civil chamber of the Arnhem-Leeuwarden Court of Appeal rendered a judgment in a civil appeal of a criminal case involving the shock damage claim of the next of kin of a girl killed by two underage boys at the age of 14. The judgment is unusual and relevant to legal practice for a number of reasons.
Arlette Schijns publication: 'Towards a balanced compensation system for criminal damage'
Last month, Arlette Schijns published a new article in the journal Liability, Insurance & Damage. In the article, she discusses the recommendations of the Donner Commission to improve the compensation system for victims of criminal offenses and elaborates on two lines of thought for a future restructuring of this system.
Podcast: Lifelong vulnerability
On Oct. 1, 2002, Lucinda Stolk-van de Ven lost her sister to murder. Last year she started "Lifelong Vulnerable," a podcast about the long-term consequences of murder for survivors. In an interview with the AD, she talks about her motivation for starting the podcast.
In episode 5 of the podcast, Lucinda Stolk - van de Ven talks with our colleague Arlette Schijns about the various legal obstacles that survivors of deadly violent crimes face when trying to recover damages from the convicted perpetrator through criminal or civil law. The episode is now available to listen to in all podcast apps or on the Lucinda van de Ven website.
Announcement of criminal case against footballer Rai Vloet
On April 3, 2023, the North Holland District Court ruled in the case against Rai Vloet, who on Nov. 14 caused a collision on the A4 near Hoofddorp that killed a four-year-old boy. At the time of the accident, Vloet was under the influence of alcohol and was driving at a speed of 193 kilometers per hour, in a place where a maximum of 130 was allowed.
The role of the victim advocate in the Dutch criminal process
On February 22, 2023 - European Victims' Day - two handbooks on victims were published. The handbook Victims: Research, Policy and Practice describes and analyzes key aspects of victim policy and provides an overview of relevant scientific and practice-based insights in this area. What works: Effective support for victims maps out existing victim interventions and discusses their effectiveness.
Court ruling on attack on Amsterdam Central Station
On Nov. 16, 2020, the Amsterdam Court of Appeal sentenced Jawed S. to 25 years in prison without parole for stabbing two American tourists at Amsterdam Central Station on Aug. 31, 2018. He must also pay damages to the victims. To the victim who suffered a spinal cord injury, Jawed S. must pay an amount of nearly €3,000,000, of which a [...]