Law Blogs Maastricht

On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the Research and Data Centre (WODC) and the Trimbos Institute jointly organised the annual symposium of the National Drug Monitor (NDM). During the meeting, the latest figures and trends were presented: who uses drugs, and what developments are visible? What stood out? The rise of the new psychoactive substance (NPS) 3MMC, best known by the name MIAUW.

Nobody likes a conflict, especially not about being good enough to belong to a certain profession. All the same, nobody wants to receive medical treatment from a doctor, without sufficient professional performance. So, after graduation, a medical specialist should be competent to provide the level of care sufficient to the norms of the specialty, regardless of any disputes or obstacles during training.

On 24 March, a long-negotiated trade deal between the European Union and Australia finally became a reality. This is a welcome development in light of the current geopolitical and economic uncertainties. The agreement follows a series of recently concluded EU trade deals with important partners such as Indonesia and India, reflecting the EU’s broader strategy to expand its economic presence in key markets and to help European businesses diversify their trade relationships. Given the scale of the economies involved, these agreements are expected to have a significant economic impact.

Doctrinal writings derive from a research and reasoning cycle and ultimately shape legal science. Treatises, monographs, edited volumes, law review articles, book chapters, translations, casebooks, book reviews, and academic blog entries–to name only a few academic creations–play a role in the development of legal science. Doctrinal writings provide a forum for the development and circulation of legal ideas, nurturing a space to critically reflect on the law and to trigger change when needed. Academic blog entries (ABEs) offer–when compared with other academic creations–an agile and flexible forum that ought to be protected and celebrated.

Nationality forms the cornerstone of legal identity, determining access to fundamental civil, political, and social rights. It affects who can participate in society, receive education, work legally, and access healthcare. Individuals without nationality face statelessness, a condition that limits not only legal protections but also social belonging. Despite its importance, the complexities of nationality and statelessness in Iran have received limited scholarly attention. This dissertation addresses that gap by analysing Iranian nationality law, family law, and administrative practices, assessing how these frameworks interact to produce legal recognition—or exclusion.