Harriët Schelhaas

Harriët Schelhaas is Full Professor and Dean at the Erasmus School of Law, Erasmus University Rotterdam. She is a leading academic in civil and contract law, with a focus on Dutch and comparative legal systems, particularly in relation to Belgium. Her role as Dean underscores her leadership in legal education and institutional governance.

Her research centers on core aspects of contract law, including termination, unforeseen circumstances, lease agreements, and franchise relationships. She explores doctrinal developments and judicial interpretations, often in response to real-world challenges such as the pandemic. Her work bridges theoretical analysis and practical application in commercial and civil contexts.

The recent publications reflect a strong engagement with civil law doctrine, judicial reasoning, and cross-border legal harmonization. Dominant themes include contractual adaptation, fairness in commercial dealings, and the evolution of private law in response to societal changes. Her scholarship frequently appears in authoritative legal journals and edited volumes.

Dr. Schelhaas has been actively involved in academic discourse through presentations and committee memberships. She contributes to the Studiereeks Burgerlijk Recht and regularly presents on current topics in contract law. Her academic service includes peer review and participation in scholarly organizations.

She has supervised several academic works, though specific student names are not listed. There is no mention of research grants in the provided text. Her leadership extends beyond research into shaping legal education and policy discussion through her deanship and public lectures.

She is associated with ongoing research networks focusing on civil law, with recent collaborations in comparative studies between Dutch and Belgian legal frameworks. Her work is central to contemporary debates in private law within the Benelux region.