Hendrik Vandekerckhove obtained his KU Leuven Master of Laws in 2014. In 2015, he obtained an LLM in public international law, specialising in international criminal law, from Utrecht University. While studying in the Netherlands, he also participated in the Philip C. Jessup moot court competition. In the framework of that competition, he was awarded the prize for best speaker, during the national finals.
After completing his studies, Hendrik wrote a PhD at KU Leuven entitled ‘International Criminal Justice and the Role of National Courts’. During his career as doctoral researcher, he also coached several teams of students during their participation in various moot court competitions. Two of those teams ended up winning the entire competition.
In October 2019, Hendrik Vandekerckhove joined the Antwerp Bar where he has since been mainly active within criminal law.
Hendrik holds several certificates that allow him to assist clients during interrogations and criminal proceedings before the Cour de Cassation. Furthermore, he has experience in summary proceedings, proceedings in cases of extreme urgency and proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights.
Finally, Hendrik Vandekerckhove is also a member of the General Assembly and League Council of Liga voor Mensenrechten (Human right’s League) and an expert within the Permanent Representation of the European Bar Association to the European Court of Human Rights.
He is fluent in Dutch and English.