Legal Glossary

A contrario

By contrary reasoning

A contrario is a legal method of reasoning whereby a conclusion is drawn from the contrary. If a rule applies to a given case, it is presumed not to apply to the opposite case.

ABC-certificaat

Supplementary Protection Certificate

A supplementary protection certificate extending patent protection for medicines.

AVB-verzekering

General Liability Insurance

A liability insurance for businesses against damage to third parties.

AVP-verzekering

Personal Liability Insurance

Personal liability insurance for individuals against damage to third parties.

Aanbesteding

Public procurement

Public procurement is the process by which a public authority awards contracts for works, supplies or services to a contractor or supplier through a competitive procedure.

Aanbestedingsrecht (EU)

EU Public Procurement Law

The body of European rules governing public contracts and procurement procedures.

Aanbod

Offer

An offer is a proposal by one party to the other to enter into a contract on specified terms.

Aanbod en aanvaarding

Offer and acceptance

Offer and acceptance are the two essential elements for the formation of a contract under Dutch law. The offer constitutes a proposal to conclude a contract, and acceptance consists of assent thereto.

Aandeel

Share

A share is a participation in the share capital of a company entitling the holder to distributions of profits and voting rights in the enterprise.

Aandeel aan toonder

Bearer share

A bearer share is a share whose owner is not recorded in a register but which belongs to the person in possession of the physical share certificate.

Aandeelhoudersbesluit

Shareholders' Resolution

A shareholders' resolution is a formal decision adopted by the shareholders of a company in respect of matters concerning them.

Aandeelhoudersovereenkomst

Shareholders' Agreement

A shareholders’ agreement is a contract between the shareholders of a company in which they regulate their mutual rights and obligations, often as a supplement to the articles of association.

Aandeelhoudersvergadering

Shareholders' Meeting

The shareholders’ meeting is the meeting of the shareholders of a company at which they exercise their voting rights and adopt resolutions on important matters.

Aandelen op naam

Registered shares

Registered shares are shares that are registered in the name of a specific shareholder in the company’s shareholders’ register.

Aandelenbewijs

Share Certificate

A document proving shareholdership in a company.

Aandelenfusie

Share merger

A share merger is a form of merger whereby the shareholders of the disappearing company exchange their shares for shares in the acquiring company.

Aandelenkapitaal

Share capital

Share capital is the nominal amount of the issued shares of a company that has been contributed by the shareholders.

Aandelenoverdracht

Transfer of Shares

A share transfer is the legal conveyance of shares in a company from one shareholder to another party.

Aandelenregister

Share Register

The share register is the record maintained by the company of all shareholders and their shareholdings.

Aandelenuitgifte

Share Issuance

The issuance of new shares by a company to raise capital.

Aangifte

Report / Filing

Reporting a criminal offence to the police or filing a tax return.

Aangifte faillissement

Bankruptcy Filing

Filing a petition for bankruptcy at court.

Aanhangig

Pending

The status of a case that is being heard by a court.

Aanhangig maken

To institute proceedings

The commencement of judicial proceedings by bringing a case before the competent court.

Aanhouding

Arrest

The physical detention of a suspect by the police.

Aanhoudingsbevel

Arrest Warrant

A judicial order for the arrest of a suspect.

Aanlegvergunning

Works Permit

An installation permit is an official authorization to carry out specific works activities in the physical living environment, such as the laying of hard surfaces, pipelines or alterations to the terrain.

Aanmaning

Demand for Payment

A written demand for payment of an outstanding debt.

Aanmerkelijk belang

Substantial interest

A substantial interest is a tax concept under the Income Tax Act 2001 that refers to a substantial shareholding of at least 5% in a company.

Aanneemsom

Contract sum

The contract sum is the total fixed amount agreed upon which the principal shall pay to the contractor for the execution of the works.

Aannemingsovereenkomst

Contract for Works

A contract for work is an agreement whereby the contractor undertakes towards the principal to complete a work of a material nature in return for payment of a price.

Aanrijding

Traffic Collision

A traffic accident involving vehicles or persons.

Aanrijdingsschade

Collision Damage

Damage to vehicles or persons resulting from a traffic accident.

Aansprakelijkheid

Liability

the legal obligation to compensate damage caused to another. Liability can arise from contract (breach of contract), from law (tort), or on the basis of risk.

Aansprakelijkheidsbeperking

Limitation of Liability

A contractual clause limiting a party's liability.

Aansprakelijkheidsgrondslag

Basis of Liability

The legal basis on which a claim for damages is founded.

Aansprakelijkheidsverzekering

Liability insurance

A liability insurance covers the financial consequences of damage that the insured accidentally causes to third parties. This insurance protects against claims for bodily injury or property damage.

Aanstellingskeuring

Pre-employment Medical Examination

A medical examination prior to employment.

Aanvaarding

Acceptance

Acceptance is the offeree’s assent to an offer, thereby forming a contract.

Aanvang termijn

Commencement of Time Limit

The moment at which a statutory or contractual time limit begins to run.

Aanvraag

Application

A request to an administrative body to make a decision.

Aanvraag octrooi

Patent Application

A request for patent protection for an invention.

Aanvullend recht

Supplementary Law

Legal rules that apply unless parties agree otherwise.

Aanwijzing

Directive / Instruction

A binding instruction from an administrative body or supervisory authority.

Aanzegging

Notice

An aanzegging is the formal notification by the employer to the employee as to whether or not a fixed-term employment contract will be continued.

Aanzegverplichting

Notification obligation

The notification obligation is the statutory duty of an employer to inform an employee engaged under a fixed-term contract, in writing and no later than one month before expiry, whether the employment contract will be continued and, if so, on what terms.

Aard- en nagelvast

Immovably affixed to the land

Aard- en nagelvast refers to items that, by their nature or the manner of their attachment, form an integral part of immovable property.

Ab initio

from the beginning

Ab initio is a Latin term meaning "from the beginning." In law, it signifies that a legal act or agreement is regarded as invalid or void from its inception.

Absolute bevoegdheid

Absolute jurisdiction

Absolute jurisdiction is the jurisdiction of a particular type of court to entertain a case on the basis of the nature or value of the dispute.

Absolute competentie

Subject-matter Jurisdiction

The jurisdiction of a particular type of court to hear a case.

Absolute meerderheid

Absolute majority

An absolute majority is a majority comprising more than half of the votes cast or seats.

Absolute priority rule

The absolute priority rule is a principle of bankruptcy law under which creditors must be paid in full according to their ranking before shareholders or lower-ranking creditors may receive any distribution.

Absoluut recht

Absolute right

An absolute right is a right that may be asserted and enforced against all persons, such as ownership rights.

Abstracte schadebegroting

Abstract Damage Assessment

A method of calculating damages based on objective standards, independent of actual costs.

Acceptatie

Acceptance

The acceptance of an offer resulting in the formation of a contract.

Accountant

A financial expert who audits financial statements and provides financial advice.

Accountantsverklaring

Accountant's Declaration

An auditor’s report is a formal declaration by a registered accountant on the accuracy and reliability of a company’s financial statements.

Achteraf bezien

Hindsight Assessment

Assessment of a situation using knowledge that was only available afterwards.

Achtervolgingsschade

Pursuit Damage

Damage caused during a pursuit by police or other emergency services.

Acquis communautaire

Acquis Communautaire

The entire body of EU legislation, case law and treaties binding on all member states.

Actieve openbaarmaking

Active Disclosure

The proactive disclosure of government information.

Actio pauliana

Paulian action

The actio pauliana is a legal remedy by which a creditor may set aside a transaction entered into by the debtor with the intention of prejudicing creditors.

Activa

Assets

Assets are the property and rights of an undertaking or person that are recorded in the balance sheet and represent economic value.

Activa en passiva

Assets and Liabilities

The assets and liabilities of a business.

Actualiteitswaarde

Current Value

The current value of an asset or right at the time of assessment.

Ad hoc

Ad hoc is a Latin term meaning "for this purpose" and refers to temporary measures or decisions adopted specifically for a given case.

Ad interim

Temporarily

Ad interim means temporary or provisional. The term refers to the temporary assumption of an office without a permanent appointment.

Addendum

An addendum is a written supplement or annex to an existing contract or legal document, executed to record amendments or additions.

Ademanalyse

Breath Analysis

A test to measure blood alcohol levels through exhaled air.

Adequate veroorzaking

Adequate Causation

A causation doctrine attributing only foreseeable consequences.

Administratieplicht

Obligation to Keep Records

The record-keeping obligation is the statutory duty of entrepreneurs and legal entities to maintain complete and accurate records and to retain them for a legally prescribed period.

Administratieve rechter

Administrative court

The administrative court is the specialized court that adjudicates disputes between citizens and public authorities in administrative law.

Adoptie

Adoption

The legal incorporation of a child into a family as one's own child.

Advocaat

Lawyer

A legally trained person authorized to represent clients in legal proceedings.

Advocaat-generaal (EU)

Advocate General (EU)

A member of the EU Court of Justice who provides independent legal opinions.

Afbeeldingsrecht

Image Rights

A person's right to determine whether and how their portrait is published.

Afdrachtbelasting

Withholding Tax

Tax withheld by a third party and remitted to the tax authorities.

Afdreiging

Extortion

Extortion is the compelling of another by threat to hand over money or goods or to perform an act.

Affectieschade

Affection Damage

Immaterial compensation for close relatives of a victim with serious injury or death.

Afgeleide schade

Consequential damages

Derivative damage is the loss suffered by a third party as a consequence of the primary damage sustained by the victim, for example in cases of personal injury or death.

Afgifte

Surrender / Delivery

The handing over or making available of an item or document.

Afhankelijk recht

Accessory right

An accessory right is a right that derives its existence from another, principal right and cannot exist or be transferred without that principal right.

Afkoelingsperiode

Cooling-off period

The cooling-off period is the statutory period of reflection during which a consumer may terminate an agreement without stating reasons or incurring a penalty.

Afkoelingsperiode (faillissement)

Cooling-off Period (Bankruptcy)

A period during which third parties cannot exercise their rights over assets in the bankrupt estate.

Afkoop huur

Lease Buyout

An agreement where the tenant pays compensation to exit the lease early.

Afkoop verzekering

Insurance Surrender

The early termination of a life insurance policy in exchange for the surrender value.

Afkoopsom

Severance Payment

A one-time payment upon termination of a contract or employment.

Afnameverplichting

Purchase Obligation

The contractual obligation to purchase a certain quantity of goods or services.

Afschrijving

Depreciation

The systematic allocation of an asset's cost over its useful life.

Afspiegelingsbeginsel

Reflection Principle

The reflection principle is a selection criterion applied in collective redundancies whereby, within a group of interchangeable positions, the age distribution of the workforce is mirrored in order to determine which employees are to be nominated for dismissal.

Afstamming

Descent / Parentage

The legal determination of the family law relationship between parent and child.

Aftermarket

The market for replacement parts, accessories and services after sale of the main product.

Aftrekpost

Tax Deduction

An amount that may be deducted from taxable income.

Afvloeiingsregeling

Severance Scheme

A severance arrangement is an agreement or arrangement between an employer and employee(s) upon termination of the employment relationship, setting out the terms of any financial compensation and other conditions.

Afwikkeling faillissement

Liquidation of Bankruptcy

The process of distributing the bankrupt estate and concluding the bankruptcy.

Agendarecht

Right to Place Items on the Agenda

The right of shareholders to place items on the agenda of the general meeting.

Agenderingsrecht

Right to Request Inclusion of Items on the Agenda

The right to request agenda items is the right of shareholders to have matters placed on the agenda of the general meeting.

Agentuurovereenkomst

Agency Agreement

An agency agreement is an agreement whereby the agent undertakes to act as an intermediary for the principal in the conclusion of contracts with third parties, in consideration of a commission.

Akkoord

Composition

An agreement between debtor and creditors on partial payment of debts.

Akkoordprocedure

Composition Procedure

The judicial procedure for offering and approving a composition.

Akte

Deed

A deed is an official document in which a legal act or fact is recorded, often with evidentiary force.

Akte van levering

Deed of Conveyance

The deed of delivery is the notarial deed by which ownership of immovable property is transferred.

Algemeen verbindend voorschrift

Generally Binding Regulation

A decision by an administrative body that is binding on everyone, such as a regulation.

Algemene bekendheid

Common Knowledge

Facts so commonly known that they need not be proven in court.

Algemene titel

General Title

The general title constitutes the introductory section of a statute or book within the Civil Code and contains general provisions applicable to the subsequent specific titles.

Algemene vergadering

General Meeting

The general meeting is the highest body of a company or association in which the shareholders or members adopt resolutions on important matters.

Algemene vergadering van aandeelhouders (AvA)

General Meeting of Shareholders

The highest body of a company where shareholders make decisions.

Algemene voorwaarden

General Terms and Conditions

General terms and conditions are the standard provisions that a company applies when entering into agreements with customers or suppliers.

Algemene wet bestuursrecht

General Administrative Law Act

The General Administrative Law Act (Awb) is the principal Dutch statute containing general rules for the conduct of administrative bodies. This Act regulates decision-making, objections and appeals.

Algemene wet bestuursrecht (Awb)

General Administrative Law Act

The Dutch framework act governing general administrative law.

Algemene zorgvuldigheidsnorm

General Duty of Care

The standard requiring careful conduct in social interaction.

Alimentatie

Maintenance

Maintenance is the statutory obligation to provide financial support to an ex-partner or children following a divorce or the termination of a relationship.

Alimentatiebeschikking

Alimony Order

A court ruling establishing the amount and duration of alimony.

Alimentatiefraude

Alimony Fraud

Deliberately providing false information to evade alimony obligations.

Alimentatieplicht

Maintenance Obligation

The legal obligation to contribute to the maintenance of an ex-partner or child.

All-in huurprijs

All-inclusive Rent

A rent that includes both basic rent and service charges.

All-risk verzekering

All-risk Insurance

Insurance covering all damages except explicitly excluded risks.

Allocatie

Allocation

The assignment or distribution of resources, rights or obligations.

Allocatiefunctie

Allocation function

The allocation function is the mechanism whereby prices or rules allocate scarce resources to their most valuable use.

Alternatieve causaliteit

Alternative Causation

Situation where damage was caused by one of several persons, but it is unclear by whom.

Alternatieve geschilbeslechting

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Methods of resolving disputes outside of court, such as mediation and arbitration.

Alternatieve straf

Alternative Sentence

A sentence replacing imprisonment, such as community service.

Ambtenarenrecht

Civil Service Law

Civil service law is the field of law that governs the public-law employment relationship between the government and its civil servants, including appointment, rights, duties, and dismissal.

Ambtshalve aanvulling

Ex Officio Supplementation

The supplementation of legal grounds or facts by the judge on their own initiative.

Ambtsmisdrijf

Malfeasance in Office

A criminal offence committed by a public official in the exercise of their duties.

Amicus curiae

friend of the court

An amicus curiae is an independent third party that provides the court with expertise or information to enable it to better assess a case.

Amputatie

Amputation

The surgical removal of a limb or body part.

Anciënniteitsbeginsel

Seniority principle

The seniority principle is the employment law principle whereby employees with a longer period of service enjoy priority in the event of dismissal and other employment-related decisions.

Animus

Intent

Animus is the legal term for the intention or mental element underlying a juridical act or fact.

Annuleringsbeding

Cancellation clause

A cancellation clause is a contractual provision that entitles a party to terminate or cancel the agreement upon the occurrence of circumstances previously agreed upon.

Annuleringskosten

Cancellation Costs

Costs charged upon cancellation of a contract or reservation.

Anti-speculatiebeding

Anti-speculation clause

An anti-speculation clause is a contractual provision that prohibits the buyer from selling or alienating the acquired property, typically real property, within a specified period.

Anticipatie-arrest

Anticipation Ruling

A judicial ruling that anticipates future legislation.

Appartementseigenaar

Apartment owner

An apartment owner is the person who holds ownership rights over an individual apartment in a building comprising multiple residential units.

Appartementsrecht

Condominium Law

The apartment right constitutes the exclusive right of ownership in a separate apartment unit within a building that has been divided into multiple units, frequently combined with membership of the Owners’ Association (VvE).

Appeldagvaarding

Appeal Summons

An appeal summons is the writ by which an appeal is instituted by summoning the opposing party to appear before the court of appeal. It constitutes the formal commencement of the appeal proceedings in actions commenced by summons.

Appellant

The appellant is the party who lodges an appeal against a judgment of a lower court.

Appeltermijn

Appeal Period

The statutory period within which an appeal must be filed.

Appelverbod

Appeal Prohibition

A statutory provision excluding appeal against a ruling.

Arbeidsinspectie

Labour Inspectorate

The government agency supervising compliance with labour legislation.

Arbeidsmarkt

Labour Market

The totality of supply and demand for labour.

Arbeidsomstandighedenwet

Working Conditions Act

The Working Conditions Act, often referred to as the Arbowet, is the Dutch legislation that establishes rules for safe and healthy working conditions in the workplace.

Arbeidsongeschikt

Incapacitated for work

Incapacitated for work means that an employee is, by reason of illness or impairment, temporarily or permanently unable to perform his or her work.

Arbeidsongeschiktheidsschade

Disability Damage

Financial damage resulting from disability due to injury or illness.

Arbeidsongeval

Workplace Accident

An accident occurring during or in connection with work.

Arbeidsovereenkomst

Employment contract

an agreement whereby the employee undertakes to personally perform work for the employer, under the employer's authority, in exchange for wages. The three core elements are: work, wages and a relationship of authority.

Arbeidstijd

Working Hours

The time during which the employee performs work.

Arbeidstijdenwet

Working Hours Act

The Working Hours Act is the Dutch legislation that lays down rules on the maximum working hours, minimum rest periods and night work of employees in order to safeguard their health and safety.

Arbeidsvoorwaardengesprek

Employment Terms Negotiation

A discussion between employer and employee about employment terms.

Arbeidsvoorwaardenregeling

Regulation on Terms of Employment

An employment conditions regulation is a document or arrangement in which the rights and obligations of the employer and the employee with respect to the terms of employment are set out.

Arbiter

Arbitrator

An arbitrator is an independent third party appointed by the parties to resolve a dispute through arbitration rather than before the ordinary courts.

Arbitraal beding

Arbitration clause

An arbitration clause is a contractual provision by which the parties agree to resolve disputes through arbitration rather than before the ordinary courts.

Arbitraal vonnis

Arbitral award

An arbitral award is the binding decision of an arbitrator or arbitral tribunal in arbitration proceedings, obligating the parties to comply with the ruling.

Arbitrage

Arbitration

Arbitration is an alternative form of dispute resolution whereby the parties submit their dispute for resolution by one or more arbitrators rather than by the ordinary courts.

Arbitrageclausule

Arbitration Clause

An arbitration clause is a contractual provision whereby the parties agree to submit their disputes to arbitration for resolution rather than to the courts.

Arbobeleid

Occupational Health and Safety Policy

An employer's policy aimed at safe and healthy working conditions.

Arbodienst

Occupational Health Service

A certified service supporting employers with working conditions and sick leave.

Arbowet

Working Conditions Act

The law setting rules for working conditions and workplace safety.

Arrest

Judgment

An arrest is a judgment rendered by a court of appeal or the Supreme Court in proceedings on appeal or in cassation.

Arrest HvJ

ECJ Judgment

A judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Arrondissement

Judicial district

An arrondissement is a judicial district within which a court has jurisdiction to hear cases.

Artikel 7:941 BW

Article 7:941 Dutch Civil Code

Statutory duty of the policyholder to report damage.

Artikel 81 RO

Article 81 RO

Article 81 RO enables the Supreme Court to dismiss an appeal in cassation with abbreviated reasoning if it is manifestly unfounded.

Asbestose

Asbestosis

A lung disease caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos fibres.

Asielrecht (EU)

EU Asylum Law

European law governing the protection of refugees and asylum seekers.

Assurantiebelasting

Insurance Tax

A tax levied on insurance premiums.

Assurantietussenpersoon

Insurance Intermediary

An intermediary between policyholder and insurer in concluding insurance contracts.

Attributie

Attribution of Powers

The conferral of a new power upon an administrative body by law.

Auteurscontract

Copyright Contract

An agreement on the transfer or licensing of copyrights.

Auteursrecht

Copyright

Copyright is the exclusive right of the maker of an original work of literature, science or art to reproduce and make that work public.

Auteursrechtinbreuk

Copyright Infringement

The unauthorized use of a copyrighted work.

Auteurswet

Copyright Act

The law governing copyright in the Netherlands.

Authentiek afschrift

Certified Copy

A certified copy of an official document.

Authentieke afschrift

Authenticated Copy

Synonym for certified copy; an officially authenticated copy.

Authentieke akte

Authentic deed

An authentic deed is an official document drawn up by a notary or other competent official that carries full evidentiary force in law.

Autodiefstal

Car Theft

The unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.

Automatisch gezamenlijk gezag voor ongehuwde vaders

Automatic joint custody for unmarried fathers

Legislative change under which an unmarried, unregistered father who recognises the child automatically obtains joint custody with the mother, without a separate entry in the custody register.

Awb-termijn

Administrative Law Deadline

The statutory deadlines in the Awb for objections, appeals and decision-making.