Naming legislation within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, past, present & futurePhD student: Mr R.P.J. Ritsema
Promotors: Prof G.R. de Groot, Mrs Dr S.W.E. Rutten
Duration: 1/4/2021 - 31/3/2026
Abstract:
With regards to the Dutch naming legislation there is a state of great stagnation. Unlike the rest of family law, the legislative here still acts in a strongly normative and restrictive way. Especially in the field of name change there is a need for change, changing the giving name is complex and expensive, changing the surname is almost impossible. Application of the current rules creates more and more friction in a rapidly changing and multicultural society. Despite - or because of - that everyone is is influenced by the naming legislation scientific interest is limited. This PhD research project aims to change this by providing for the first time a comprehensive overview and analysis of the various historical and current naming legislation systems within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. A comparison will be made with the naming law of Belgium, since the legislative history corresponds and, in contrast to the Netherlands, significant changes does have taken place in Belgium. The research will be concluded with a proposal for anew name legislation.