How Does a Court Procedure Work in the Netherlands?
A court procedure in the Netherlands begins with a Dutch writ of summons served to the opposing party through a bailiff. The judge handles the dispute during a hearing, after which a legally enforceable judgment follows that can be collected through execution measures if necessary. When amicable negotiations fail to produce a resolution, the Dutch […]
Commercial Dispute Resolution in the Netherlands
What are your options for resolving commercial disputes in the Netherlands? Resolving a commercial conflict in the Netherlands means choosing between amicable settlement, proceedings on the merits, the Netherlands Commercial Court, or arbitration. Approximately 65% of Dutch business conflicts are initially approached amicably before parties consider litigation in the Netherlands. When negotiations stall, international businesses […]
Legal Basis for Imposing Penalty Payments Under Dutch Law
Under Dutch law, a penalty payment is a monetary sum imposed by the court on a party required to comply with a judicial decision. When this party fails to fulfill the primary obligation within the specified deadline, they forfeit the penalty payment. The penalty payment judge determines the amount and modalities, while the execution judge […]
Damage claim against a Dutch company
Our Dutch lawyers specializing in damage claims advises companies on filing or defending compensation claims for breach of contract in the Netherlands, product damage, or director liability. This specialist investigates the legal foundation, collects evidence, negotiates with counterparties, and represents your company in court when amicable settlement proves impossible. Damage claims constitute a crucial component […]
Can You Appeal a Dutch Summary Proceedings Judgment?
Appeal against a Dutch summary proceedings judgment is possible within four weeks after the ruling. You must engage a Dutch lawyer to draft an appeal summons at the Dutch Court of Appeal. The appeal in the Netherlands is not automatically expedited, making an explicit request for Dutch expedited proceedings necessary if your case remains urgent. […]
International Commercial Disputes in the Netherlands
Litigation parties in the Netherlands have access to specialized Dutch courts and procedures to effectively resolve international commercial disputes in the Netherlands. The Netherlands Commercial Court (NCC) in Amsterdam has been offering an English-language procedure for complex international disputes since 2019, with NCC court fees in 2026 starting at €19,518 for first-instance cases before experienced […]
How Does a Dutch Summary Proceedings Work?
Summary proceedings in the Netherlands (kort geding) deliver a provisional court decision within weeks when urgent circumstances require immediate action. The preliminary relief judge rules based on Article 254 of the Dutch Code of Civil Procedure, typically issuing judgment within 2 weeks, with hearings scheduled within 6 weeks after service of summons. Business owners and […]
Dutch Court Fees in 2026: What Will Change for Businesses and Individuals?
Dutch Court fees are a crucial part of the Dutch legal system. These are the Dutch legal fees that must be paid to the court to initiate or remain involved in a legal case. While court fees might seem straightforward, they can be an unexpected burden, especially when costs quickly add up. In this blog, […]
What is a Dispute Resolution Mechanism in a Dutch Shareholders’ Agreement?
A dispute resolution mechanism in a Dutch shareholders’ agreement determines how conflicts between shareholders are resolved. This mechanism describes the step-by-step procedure, from mediation to court proceedings, preventing disputes from paralyzing business operations or leading to costly legal escalation. A shareholder dispute arises when shareholders fundamentally disagree about strategic choices, profit distribution, control, or the […]
How Does a Dutch Civil Procedure Work?
A Dutch civil procedure is a legal dispute resolution between individuals, companies, or both, where the Dutch subdistrict court or district court issues a binding judgment. In the Netherlands, the procedure starts with a writ of summons served by a bailiff or a petition, followed by written defense, a preliminary hearing, and a judicial ruling […]