Karina Lemmens
Of Counsel Partner | Mediator | Registered Confidential Advisor
Deeply Rooted in Education Law
Education law encompasses a complex framework of legislation and regulatory codes governing the legal relationships between students, teachers, and educational institutions. Key statutes include the Primary Education Act, the Secondary Education Act, and the Codes of Good Governance for Primary and Secondary Education. Navigating this intricate legal landscape requires highly specialised expertise and a thorough understanding of the education sector. The education sector is further characterised by a unique employment law dynamic. Since the enactment of the Public Servants (Standardisation of Legal Status) Act, all educational personnel are governed by private employment law. Each category of education operates under distinct collective labour agreements (CAO’s), each with its own provisions on appointment, dismissal, employment conditions, and entitlements to special benefits.
Our areas of focus within this field include, among others
Advisory Services and Legal Proceedings
We provide expert advice to clients on a wide range of issues related to employment relationships within the education sector, spanning from primary education to higher education. Our team possesses extensive experience in handling legal proceedings before various dispute resolution committees.
Key Areas of Expertise
- Legal position inquiries
- Individual severance agreements
- Position of school board members
- Employee participation and governance
- Housing and funding issues
- Good governance and integrity
- Regulations of the Replacement and Participation Fund
- Admission, suspension, and expulsion of students
- Parental rights to information regarding their children
- Organisational changes, such as mergers or school closures
Governance
Education is governed by various codes of governance. Thuis Partners is highly active in the field of (good) governance, particularly through our annual event The Day of the Limburg Commissioner, our platform Working as a Commissioner, and our collaboration with the research school at Maastricht University’s Institute for Corporate Law, Governance, and Innovation Policies. As such, we are pleased to act as a trusted advisor and sounding board for your Board of Directors, Supervisory Board, or Governance Board on issues and dilemmas related to the implementation of governance codes.
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”