Burgerlijk recht

Civil law, also referred to as private law, comprises the rules that define the rights and obligations of natural persons and legal persons in their mutual relations. It is distinguished from criminal law and administrative law by its emphasis on private interests rather than public order.

This field of law is significant because it provides the legal foundation for virtually all everyday interactions, ranging from the conclusion of contracts of sale to the regulation of succession and the award of damages.

In practice, civil law is applied in civil proceedings before the courts, where parties submit their disputes to a judge who renders a binding determination of their rights and obligations.