Published on · Last updated
MAAK Advocaten is a law firm in Amsterdam that advises Dutch and international businesses on contract law, litigation, corporate law, debt collection and product compliance. The Netherlands has no solicitors: lawyers are called advocaten. Only a lawyer registered with the Netherlands Bar may use that title (Article 9a Advocatenwet), and the same advocaat both advises and represents clients in court.
This page explains how the legal profession is organised in the Netherlands, when you need a Dutch lawyer (advocaat) in court, and what to check when you choose a law firm in Amsterdam. MAAK Advocaten works in English with clients from outside the Netherlands.
Are there solicitors in the Netherlands?
Not as a separate profession. Dutch law does not divide lawyers into solicitors and barristers. The protected title is advocaat. An advocaat is sworn in by a district court and registered on the roll (tableau) of the Netherlands Bar (Nederlandse orde van advocaten) (Articles 1 and 3 Advocatenwet). All advocaten registered in the Netherlands together form the Netherlands Bar, a public-law body (Article 17).
Every advocaat must be independent, partisan in protecting the client’s legitimate interests, expert and of integrity, and must act as the client’s confidant (Article 10a(1) Advocatenwet). Advocaten owe a duty of confidentiality about everything they learn in their professional capacity, unless the law provides otherwise (Article 11a). The dean (deken) of the local Bar supervises compliance (Article 45a), and advocaten are subject to disciplinary law, exercised by the disciplinary councils and the Disciplinary Court of Appeal (Article 46).
Some work that solicitors do in common-law countries is done in the Netherlands by a civil-law notary (notaris). For example, the transfer of real estate requires a notarial deed followed by registration in the public registers (Article 3:89(1) Dutch Civil Code).
A lawyer from another EU or EEA state or Switzerland may provide services in the Netherlands under the home-country title, stating the professional body to which they belong (Articles 16b and 16c Advocatenwet). In proceedings where a lawyer is mandatory, such a visiting lawyer must work together with an advocaat registered in the Netherlands (Article 16e). To practise permanently, the lawyer can register on the Dutch roll (Article 16h).
When do you need a Dutch lawyer in court?
Before the subdistrict court (kantonrechter), you may litigate in person (Article 79(1) Dutch Code of Civil Procedure, DCCP). The subdistrict court hears, among other things, claims of up to €25,000, including interest accrued up to the date of the summons (unless the underlying legal title exceeds that amount and is disputed), and, regardless of the amount, cases about employment, agency, lease and consumer sale contracts (Article 93 DCCP).
In all other cases before the district court, parties can only litigate through an advocaat (Article 79(2) DCCP). In summary proceedings (kort geding) started by a writ of summons, the defendant may also appear in person (Article 255(1) DCCP). On appeal, the parties can only litigate through an advocaat (Article 353(1) DCCP). An appeal in cassation is lodged by a lawyer admitted to the Supreme Court (advocaat bij de Hoge Raad) (Article 407(1) DCCP and Article 9j Advocatenwet).
International commercial disputes can be litigated in English before the Netherlands Commercial Court in Amsterdam. This requires that the Amsterdam District Court or Court of Appeal has jurisdiction, that the dispute is international and concerns rights the parties can freely dispose of, and that the parties have expressly agreed on it; that agreement is proven by a document, and a clause in general terms and conditions only suffices if the other party expressly accepted that specific clause. It does not apply to subdistrict court cases (Article 32a(1) DCCP). More on court proceedings: litigation in the Netherlands.
How do you compare top law firms in Amsterdam?
Compare Amsterdam law firms on three points: their practice areas, the clarity and quality of their advice, and their track record in litigation and negotiation. For most businesses, fit with your sector and your specific matter matters more than firm size.
Check first that the lawyer who will handle your matter is a registered advocaat: only registered lawyers may use that title (Article 9a Advocatenwet). Ask for the terms of engagement and the fee arrangement in writing before work starts, including the hourly rate or fixed fee and how costs such as court fees are charged.
For litigation, also ask about the cost risk. A party that loses is in principle ordered to pay the costs of the proceedings (Article 237(1) DCCP). In practice, courts award lawyers’ fees on a fixed scale (liquidatietarief), which is usually lower than the fees actually charged.
What do the leading Amsterdam law firms specialise in?
Leading Amsterdam firms concentrate on specific fields rather than everything at once. For business clients the most relevant are contract law, litigation and dispute resolution, corporate law, debt collection and product compliance.
The leading law firms in Amsterdam have honed their skills in various domains, each presenting a unique set of expertise that caters to different client needs. One such domain is building and construction, covered in construction law firm in the Netherlands.
MAAK Advocaten focuses on business law: contract law, litigation and dispute resolution, corporate law and the wider law of obligations, including liability and debt collection.
How useful are client reviews when choosing a law firm?
Client reviews show how a firm works in practice: its responsiveness, its clarity on fees, and how it handles a dispute. Read them for recurring themes, and give most weight to clients whose matter resembles yours.
These testimonials provide a first-hand account of the firm’s capabilities and service quality. Review interpretation is a significant step in this process. It’s not enough to simply read reviews; you need to analyze the comments and understand what they mean.
The importance of feedback can’t be overstated. It helps you gauge the firm’s strengths and weaknesses. Positive testimonials typically highlight the firm’s strong points, such as quick response times, efficient service, or a deep understanding of the law. These comments can provide a glimpse of the positive experiences previous clients had with the firm.
However, don’t disregard the negative feedback. It’s just as important, if not more, as it uncovers potential issues you might encounter. Maybe the firm is known for delays in communication or is lacking in a particular area of law. Whatever it is, it’s essential to take note of these points as they could impact your case.
Analyzing comments also involves looking at the firm’s responses. How do they handle criticism? Do they take measures to address the issues raised by clients? Their reaction can tell you a lot about their commitment to client satisfaction.
Who is MAAK Advocaten?
MAAK Advocaten is an Amsterdam-based commercial law firm that advises Dutch and international businesses on contract law, litigation, corporate law, debt collection and product compliance.
MAAK Advocaten works in English for clients from outside the Netherlands. It advises on Dutch law and on proceedings before Dutch courts, in matters such as contract disputes, liability claims and debt collection.
Why choose MAAK Advocaten as your Amsterdam law firm?
MAAK Advocaten combines specialist commercial-law expertise with direct partner contact and clear fee arrangements. The firm works in English with international clients and focuses on business disputes, contracts and compliance.
Part of what you can expect from any Dutch advocaat follows from the law. The Advocatenwet sets five core values for every advocaat (Article 10a(1) Advocatenwet):
| Core value | What the law requires (Article 10a(1) Advocatenwet) |
|---|---|
| Independence | Independent of the client, third parties and the cases the lawyer handles |
| Partiality | Partisan in protecting the client’s legitimate interests |
| Expertise | Expert, with sufficient knowledge and skills |
| Integrity | Refrains from any conduct that does not befit a proper advocaat |
| Confidentiality | Acts as confidant and observes professional secrecy within the limits of the law (see also Article 11a) |
Before you instruct any firm, ask how this works in practice: who will handle your matter, how you will be kept informed, and how fees and costs are charged.
Frequently asked questions about law firms in Amsterdam
Is a Dutch advocaat the same as a solicitor?
Not exactly. The Netherlands has one legal profession, the advocaat, who both advises and litigates. Only lawyers registered with the Netherlands Bar may use the title advocaat (Article 9a Advocatenwet). Some deeds, such as the transfer of real estate, require a civil-law notary (Article 3:89(1) Dutch Civil Code).
Do I need a lawyer to go to court in the Netherlands?
Not before the subdistrict court, where you may litigate in person (Article 79(1) DCCP). In other cases before the district court, and on appeal, parties can only litigate through an advocaat (Articles 79(2) and 353(1) DCCP). In summary proceedings started by a writ of summons, the defendant may appear in person (Article 255(1)).
Can a lawyer from another EU country act in the Netherlands?
Yes. A lawyer from another EU or EEA state or Switzerland may provide services in the Netherlands under the home-country title (Article 16b Advocatenwet). Where a lawyer is mandatory in court, the visiting lawyer must work together with an advocaat registered in the Netherlands (Article 16e). Permanent practice requires registration on the Dutch roll (Article 16h).
Who supervises lawyers in the Netherlands?
The dean (deken) of the local Bar supervises compliance with the Advocatenwet and the Bar’s regulations by advocaten who have their office in that district (Article 45a Advocatenwet). Advocaten are also subject to disciplinary law, exercised by the disciplinary councils and, on appeal, the Disciplinary Court of Appeal (Article 46).
Can you litigate in English at an Amsterdam court?
Yes, before the Netherlands Commercial Court of the Amsterdam District Court or Court of Appeal, if the dispute is international, concerns rights the parties can freely dispose of, and the parties have expressly agreed to litigate there in English; the agreement is proven by a document. This does not apply to subdistrict court cases (Article 32a(1) DCCP).
Primary sources
- Advocatenwet (Dutch Lawyers Act): Articles 1, 3, 9a, 9j, 10a, 11a, 16b, 16c, 16e, 16h, 17, 45a and 46
- Dutch Code of Civil Procedure (Wetboek van Burgerlijke Rechtsvordering): Articles 32a, 79, 93, 237, 255, 353 and 407
- Dutch Civil Code: Article 3:89
How do you choose a law firm in Amsterdam?
Choose a registered advocaat with experience in your type of matter, agree the terms and fees in writing, and act early if a court deadline applies. If your business has a contract question or a dispute under Dutch law, you can contact MAAK Advocaten in Amsterdam.
