World Association for Medical Law (WAML)

In early 1960s, R. Dierkens from the Faculty of Law at the Ghent State University focused his study on multicultural issues related to Medical Law. His vision was to establish a professional association where medical and legal professionals devote their studies to the new discipline. He received the support of Dr. L. De Vos (forensic Pathologist, Ghent, Belgium) and Professor F. Thomas (Professor of Legal Medicine, Medical Faculty of the Ghent State University, and leading expert in legal medicine internationally and founder of the International association of Forensic Sciences).

The World Association for Medical Law (WAML) was established and the first Congress was held in Ghent, Belgium in 1967.

The purpose of the WAML is to encourage the study and discussion of health law, legal medicine and ethics, for the benefit of society and the advancement of human rights. The aim of the WAML is to promote the study of the consequences in jurisprudence, legislation and ethics of developments in medicine, health care and related sciences.