LEYDEN - AMSTERDAM - COLUMBIA  

SUMMER 2003 PROGRAM 

IN AMERICAN LAW, July 6 -August 1, 2003*

*Dates are subject to change.

General Information

Admission Requirements
Eligible for the Summer Program are law graduates, who are professionally active in the practice of law, industry, commerce, government, international organizations or related activities. Advanced undergraduate law students may be admitted in exceptional cases.

Applications for admission and scholarships are invited before June 4th, 2003*:
Amsterdam Law School, University of Amsterdam
Columbia Summer Program
Attn: Ms. Esther Tordjman
P.O. Box 1030
1000 BA Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Fax + 31 20 525 4957
Email: oosterom@jur.uva.nl

Language and Method of Instruction
Proficiency in English is required of all participants. Classes will be conducted in English, and participants will be called upon in class to discuss the materials they have studied. In describing in your application your schooling and proficiency in the English language, you are requested to be as specific as possible and to give a frank evaluation of your ability to study and discuss American legal materials in English. Your objectivity in this respect will avoid subsequent disappointment. Having passed a TOEFL test is one of the ways in which you can indicate your proficiency in English.

Classes
Participants will receive due notice of any changes in the curriculum that may prove to be necessary. Each participant is required to take courses in Constitutional Law and Civil Procedure, and at least three elective courses. Ten hours of classroom discussion are scheduled for each course. Participants are required to attend all classes in the courses for which they have registered. Adequate preparation is expected of each participant. Upon completion of the Program, a certificate of attendance will be issued to all participants who have met these requirements.

Attendance
Attendance of classes is compulsory. Failure to attend classes will result in withdrawal of the right to receive the certificate, at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Study materials
In most courses, participants will be provided with casebooks as used in American Law Schools. In some courses, mimeographed materials will be distributed. Study materials will be distributed upon registration on Sunday, .

Preliminary reading
Participants are advised to read: A. Farnsworth, An Introduction to the legal System of the United States (Oceana Publications, New York) before attending the Program..

Reading room and libraries
At the faculty building, where all classes will be held, a special reading room is available to all participants. Participants may consult the American law collection.

Expenses

Fee
A fee of NLG 3000 covers tuition, study materials for six courses, and all administrative expenses, including those of the extra curricular activities and the farewell dinner. Undergraduate law students pay a reduced fee of NLG 1500.  Meals and lodgings will be charged separately.

Within one week after receipt of a formal notice of admission, the applicant must remit the fee of NLG 3000 (or NLG 1500) to the account number: 54.76.18.158, Dam, Postbus 3935, 1001 AS Amsterdam.  The remittance should state: 'fee Columbia Summer Program 2003.'  Payment for tuition fee and/or lodging can on no account be refunded.

Lodgings
All participants reside in student houses in Amsterdam. For telephone numbers and detailed addresses, please refer to the list distributed to participants.  A price of about NLG 900 is charged for the duration of the Program. A hotel room can be catered for a considerably higher cost.

Meals
On days on which classes are given, all participants are expected to attend the lunches organized by the Program at 12:15pm. The restaurant location will be announced in due course.  The total amount charged for 20 lunches is approximately NLG 600. Breakfast and dinner will not be provided.  The total amount charged for tuition, lunches and lodging will be approximately NLG 4500 (students 3000).

Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships is available for participants unable to raise the necessary funds on their own or with the help of their employer, family or friends. The scholarships may cover a) tuition, b) lodging, c) lunches, or d) combinations of these, but not travel or personal expenses.

A limited number of extra scholarships is available for participants with rigid currency restrictions.  When applying for a scholarship, please indicate the absolute minimum amount necessary to enable you to participate.  Exceptional circumstances which might have a bearing on the scholarship awarding should be stated on the admission form. 

Moreover, please note that students from certain countries (e.g. Germany) may apply for scholarships in accordance with arrangements between their respective governments and the government of The Netherlands. In such cases applicants must address themselves directly to the appropriate authorities of their own country.

Hans Smit Scholarship

In honor of Hans Smit, Stanley H. Fuld Professor of Law, Columbia University, who initiated the Leyden-Amsterdam-Columbia Summer Program in American Law in 1963, a special scholarship has been established. Each year one or more students will be selected for this scholarship to partly cover the expenses made for the Program..

Administrative matters

Arrival and registration
It is imperative that all participants arrive on Sunday,  July 6th,* for the purpose of registration and allocation of housing, between 12.00 - 6.00 p.m. The location of the registration desk will be announced in due course. In the evening from 8.00 p.m. onwards an informal gathering will take place for the participants, the Directors of the Summer Program, faculty members and staff. All participants are requested to attend this meeting.

Inaugural session
The inaugural session will take place on Monday, July 7, 2003*, from 7:00 p.m. on. The inaugural session will be followed by a reception for participants, faculty members, and invited guests.

Extra Curricular activities
(Subject to change)

Saturday, July 12         Excursion
Friday, July 18             Excursion
Wednesday, July 23     Moot Court
Saturday, July 26          Excursion
Friday, August 1           Farewell

Directors of the Amsterdam Session

During the Program Dr. Arie Landsmeer may be consulted by special appointment to be made through the coordinator, tel. 020 525 3421. Professor Thomas may be consulted on all matters concerning the instructional part of the Program before July 7, 2003 via e-mail: kthomas@law.columbia.edu.

Office of the Program

During the course, an information desk will be available. Here, participants can consult Ms. Esther Tordjman or Bart van Wissen on all matters pertaining to the course.

Before July 7th*, Ms. Tordjman may be consulted at +31 20 525 3421; fax +31 20 525 4957 or email:  als@jur.uva.nl.

Alumni Association

The Leyden session of 2000 marked the 38th session of the Program.  During those years we have established a special relation with more that 1500 past participants in the Program, now living and working throughout Europe and the world.  In preparation for the Program's second generation, we are in the process of forming an Alumni Association.  This Association will help participants keep in touch with one another and with the Program.  Information can be obtained via email at: als@jur.uva.nl.

Executive Directors
A.J. Landsmeer, University of Amsterdam
K. Thomas,  Professor of Law, Columbia University

Temporary Program Coordinator
Ms. Esther Tordjman

Board of Directors
E. A. Alkema (Leyden)
M.V. Polak (Leyden)
C. van Raad (Leyden)
L.H.J.A.M. Quant (Amsterdam)
J.W. Zwemmer (Amsterdam)
C.J. Berger (Columbia)
G.A. Bermann (Columbia)
E. Moglen (Columbia)
H. Smit (Columbia)

Sponsors

For many years, substantial financial contributions to our Program have come from American foundations and major American law firms active in the international area. Their support confirms their dedication to law and legal education and testifies to their belief in the importance of fostering intellectual and professional ties among persons trained in diverse legal systems.

We are also most grateful for the financial support we receive from Dutch law firms. Their contributions have introduced in the Netherlands a new form of sponsorship which, traditionally, is one of the most important means of financing legal education in the United States. The contributing law firms are:

[The list of contributing law firms is under construction]

The constant support we receive is evidence of the truly international spirit of our Program. The organization, instruction and financial support all come from American and European sources. The Program is thus in its very essence a most promising testimony to what truly international co-operation can achieve.

* Dates and times are subject to change.

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