Legal Glossary

BBIE

Benelux Office for Intellectual Property

The Benelux Office for Intellectual Property, responsible for trademark and design registrations.

Baanprogramma

Job Programme

A government programme aimed at promoting employment.

Balans

Balansplicht

Balance Sheet Obligation

The legal obligation to prepare and publish an annual balance sheet.

Balie

Bankgarantie

Bankverklaring

Battle of forms

Bedenktijd

Bedenktijd (contract)

Cooling-off Period (Contract)

A statutory period during which a party may cancel a contract free of charge.

Beding

Bedreiging

Bedrijfsaansprakelijkheid

Business Liability

A company's liability for damage caused by its activities.

Bedrijfsarts

Bedrijfseconomische redenen

Economic Business Reasons

Financial or organizational grounds for dismissal or reorganization.

Bedrijfsgeheim

Trade Secret

Confidential business information with commercial value that is kept secret.

Bedrijfshuuradviescommissie

Bedrijfsongeval

Industrial Accident

An accident occurring at the workplace or during work activities.

Bedrijfsovername

Business Acquisition

The acquisition of a business through purchase of shares or assets.

Bedrijfsregels

Company Rules

Internal rules set by the employer for the functioning of the company.

Bedrijfsruimte

Bedrijfsruimte 230a

Bedrijfstak-cao

Bedrijfsvoering

Business Operations

The totality of activities aimed at the daily functioning of an organization.

Bedrog

Beeldmerk

Beenletsel

Leg Injury

Physical injury to the leg, relevant in personal injury law.

Beginselplicht tot handhaving

Principle of Mandatory Enforcement

The principle that an administrative body is obliged to enforce when violations occur.

Begrotingsrecht (EU)

EU Budgetary Law

European law governing the EU budget and finances.

Begrotingswijziging

Budget Amendment

An amendment to the adopted budget of a government body.

Begunstigde

Beneficiary

The person entitled to a payment, benefit or advantage.

Beheersregeling

Beherend vennoot

Bekentenis

Confession

A statement in which a party acknowledges a fact disadvantageous to them.

Beklamel-norm

Bekrachtiging

Bekrachtigingsverklaring

Belanghebbende

Interested Party

A person whose interest is directly involved in a decision.

Belediging

Beleidsbepaler

Policy Maker

A person who effectively co-determines the policy of a legal entity.

Beleidsmatige toets

Policy Assessment

The assessment of whether a decision conforms to applicable policy.

Beleidsnotitie

Beleidsregel

Policy Rule

A rule established by an administrative body regarding the exercise of a power.

Beleidsregels

Policy Rules

Plural of policy rule; the set of policy rules established by an administrative body.

Belet en ontstentenis

Belofte

Beloningsbeleid

Remuneration Policy

A company's policy on remuneration of directors and employees.

Bemiddeling

Mediation

A form of dispute resolution where a neutral third party helps parties find a solution.

Bemiddelingsovereenkomst

Benadeelde

Beneficiaire aanvaarding

Benelux-merk

Benelux Trademark

A trademark registration providing protection in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Benoeming

Benoemingsrecht

Right of Appointment

The right to appoint directors, supervisory board members or other officials.

Beoordelingsgesprek

Performance Review

A periodic meeting where the employer assesses the employee's performance.

Beperkt recht

Beperkte aansprakelijkheid

Beperkte surseance

Limited Moratorium

A moratorium on payments applying to only part of the debts.

Beraadslaging

Deliberation

The consultation of judges on a case before rendering judgment.

Bereddingskosten

Salvage Costs

Costs incurred to prevent or limit imminent damage.

Bereddingsplicht

Duty to Mitigate

The insured's obligation to take measures to prevent or limit damage.

Beroep

Beroepsaansprakelijkheid

Professional Liability

A professional's liability for errors in the exercise of their profession.

Beroepschrift

Beroepsethiek

Professional Ethics

The moral standards and codes of conduct applicable to a particular profession.

Beroepsfout

Professional Error

An error by a professional that fails to meet the duty of care standard.

Beroepsgeheim

Beroepsopleiding

Vocational Training

Training aimed at acquiring knowledge and skills for a specific profession.

Beroepsregels

Professional Rules

Codes of conduct governing the practice of a regulated profession.

Beroepsregistratie

Professional Registration

Mandatory registration in a professional register to practice a profession.

Beroepsziekte

Occupational Disease

A disease caused by working conditions.

Beroving

Robbery

Theft accompanied by violence or threat of violence.

Beschermingsbewind

Beschermingsconstructie

Beschermingsomvang

Scope of Protection

The extent of protection provided by an intellectual property right.

Beschikking

Beschikkingsbevoegd

Beschuldiging

Accusation

The formal charging of a person with a criminal offence.

Beslag

Beslag (faillissement)

Seizure (Bankruptcy)

The effects of bankruptcy on seizures of the bankrupt's assets.

Beslag (strafrecht)

Seizure (Criminal Law)

The seizure of objects in the context of a criminal investigation.

Beslagrekest

Beslagsyllabus

Besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid

Besluit

Administrative Decision

A written decision by an administrative body with a public law legal effect.

Besluit (EU)

EU Decision

A binding EU legal instrument addressed to specific addressees.

Besluitvorming

Decision-making

The process of making decisions within an organization or administrative body.

Best interest of creditors

Bestek

Bestemmingsplan

Zoning Plan

A municipal plan regulating the designation and use of land.

Bestendig gebruikelijk beding

Standard Customary Clause

A clause so customary in a certain industry that it implicitly forms part of the contract.

Bestuur

Board of Directors

The body charged with managing a legal entity.

Bestuurder

Director

A person formally appointed as director of a legal entity.

Bestuurdersaansprakelijkheid

Bestuurdersaansprakelijkheid (faillissement)

Director's Liability (Bankruptcy)

Personal liability of directors in bankruptcy for improper management.

Bestuurlijke boete

Bestuurlijke lus

Administrative Loop

A procedural instrument allowing the administrative court to give the authority an opportunity to remedy a defect.

Bestuursaansprakelijkheid

Administrative Liability

Government liability for unlawful governmental acts.

Bestuursbesluit

Bestuurscompensatie

Administrative Compensation

Government compensation for lawful governmental acts causing disproportionate damage.

Bestuursdwang

Administrative Coercion

An enforcement instrument allowing the authority to end a violation at the violator's expense.

Bestuursorgaan

Administrative Body

A body of a legal entity established under public law.

Bestuursprocesrecht

Administrative Procedural Law

Procedural law governing disputes between citizens and government.

Bestuursrecht

Bestuursreglement

Bestuursverbod

Bestuursverslag

Management Report

The annual report by the board on the company's affairs.

Betaalrekening

Payment Account

A bank account used for day-to-day payment transactions.

Betalingsachterstand

Payment Arrears

A situation where a debtor fails to meet payment obligations on time.

Betalingsherinnering

Payment Reminder

A written reminder to a debtor that an invoice has not yet been paid.

Betalingsonmacht

Betalingsregeling

Betalingstermijn

Payment Term

The period within which an invoice must be paid.

Betalingsverzuim

Payment Default

The situation where a debtor fails to pay after formal notice of default.

Betekenen

Betekening

Service of Process

The formal delivery of a legal document by a bailiff.

Betwisting vordering

Dispute of Claim

The substantiated contestation of a claim by the debtor.

Beursvennootschap

Bevallingsverlof

Beveiligingsprocedure

Security Procedure

An established protocol for protecting persons, data, or property.

Bevestiging

Confirmation

A written or oral statement confirming a previously made agreement.

Bevoegd gezag

Competent Authority

The government body legally authorised to make decisions in a particular matter.

Bevoegdheidsincident

Bevoorrechte schuldeiser

Preferential Creditor

A creditor whose claim takes priority over other creditors in bankruptcy or execution.

Bevrijdende betaling

Bewaarneming

Bewaarplicht processtukken

Retention Obligation for Court Documents

The legal obligation to retain court documents for a specified period.

Bewijs

Bewijsaanbod

Offer of Proof

A party's offer to prove certain facts through evidence.

Bewijsbaarheid

Provability

The degree to which a fact or allegation can be proven in legal proceedings.

Bewijsbeslag

Bewijslast

Burden of Proof

The obligation of a party to prove the facts on which their claim or defence is based.

Bewijslastomkering

Reversal of Burden of Proof

An exception to the main rule of burden of proof, placing it on the opposing party.

Bewijslastverdeling

Distribution of Burden of Proof

The distribution of the burden of proof between parties in legal proceedings.

Bewijsmiddel

Bewijsopdracht

Order to Produce Evidence

A court decision ordering a party to prove certain facts.

Bewijsvermoeden

Legal Presumption

A legal or judicial presumption that a fact is considered proven unless rebutted.

Bewijsvoering

Presentation of Evidence

The totality of actions by which a party demonstrates facts in court proceedings.

Bewind

Bewindvoerder

Administrator

A court-appointed person who manages another person's financial affairs.

Bewindvoering

Bezit

Bezitloos pandrecht

Bezoldiging

Bezwaar

Bezwaarprocedure

Objection Procedure

The procedure in which an interested party objects to a government decision.

Bezwaarschrift

Letter of Objection

A written document objecting to a decision by a government body.

Beëdigde tolk

Sworn Interpreter

An interpreter sworn in by the court, authorized for judicial proceedings.

Beëdigde vertaler

Sworn Translator

A translator who is sworn in and authorized to produce official translations.

Beëindiging huur

Termination of Lease

The termination of a lease through notice, dissolution or mutual consent.

Beëindiging partnerschap

Termination of Partnership

The termination of a registered partnership or business partnership.

Beëindiging surseance

Termination of Moratorium

The termination of a moratorium on payments.

Beëindigingsclausule

Termination Clause

A contractual clause specifying the conditions under which a contract may be terminated.

Beëindigingsovereenkomst

Termination Agreement

An agreement in which parties arrange the termination of their relationship.

Bijeenroeping

Bijstandsverhaal

Social Assistance Recovery

The recovery of social assistance costs by the municipality from a person with a maintenance obligation.

Bijzonder verlof

Special Leave

Leave granted to an employee for special personal circumstances such as death or marriage.

Bijzondere bijstand

Special Assistance

A supplementary municipal benefit for necessary costs that cannot be paid from regular income.

Bijzondere opsporingsmethoden

Special Investigative Methods

Investigative methods that infringe on fundamental rights and require special legal authorisation.

Bijzondere rechten

Special Rights

Rights granted by law or agreement to certain persons or groups beyond ordinary rights.

Bijzondere titel

Bijzondere wetgeving

Special Legislation

Legislation that deviates from general law for a specific legal area or subject.

Bilateraal verdrag

Bilateral Treaty

An international treaty between two states.

Billijke vergoeding

Billijkheidscorrectie

Bindend advies

Bindende offerte

Binding Offer

An offer that legally binds the offeror upon acceptance by the other party.

Bindende voordracht

Blanco volmacht

Blank Power of Attorney

A power of attorney without specific limitations, allowing the agent to act virtually without restriction.

Blijvende invaliditeit

Permanent Disability

A permanent physical or mental injury resulting in limitation of normal functions.

Bloedonderzoek

Blood Test

A medical blood examination that can serve as evidence in legal contexts.

Bloedproef

Blood Alcohol Test

A test to determine blood alcohol levels, particularly in traffic offences.

Bloedverwantschap

Consanguinity

The family relationship between persons descended from the same ancestor.

Blokkeringsregeling

Blokkeringsregeling BV

Share Transfer Restriction BV

A provision in the articles of association of a BV restricting the transfer of shares.

Blote eigendom

Bare Ownership

Ownership without the right of use and enjoyment.

Bodembescherming

Soil Protection

The set of legal measures to protect soil quality.

Bodembeslag

Bodemprocedure

Bodemrecht

Bodemverontreiniging

Soil Contamination

The presence of harmful substances in the soil above established standards.

Boedel

Boedelactief

Estate Assets

The total of all assets and claims belonging to an estate or bankruptcy estate.

Boedelbijdrage

Estate Contribution

A financial contribution that must be paid to the bankruptcy estate.

Boedelcrediteur

Boedelnotaris

Estate Notary

A notary appointed to assist in the settlement of an estate.

Boedelscheiding

Boedelschuld

Boedelverdeling

Estate Distribution

The distribution of assets of an estate or community property among the entitled parties.

Boedelvordering

Estate Claim

A claim that arose after the declaration of bankruptcy and takes priority over bankruptcy claims.

Boekhouding

Bookkeeping

The systematic recording of all financial transactions of a business.

Boekhoudplicht

Boekjaar

Boekjaar onderneming

Financial Year

The period over which a business prepares its financial reporting.

Boetebeding

Boetebesluit

Penalty Decision

A decision by a government body imposing an administrative fine.

Boeteclausule

Penalty Clause

A contractual provision stipulating a penalty for non-performance of the agreement.

Bona fide

Bonus-malus

Bonus-Malus System

A system where premiums are lowered (bonus) or raised (malus) based on claims history.

Bonusbeleid

Bonus Policy

An employer's policy regarding the awarding of bonuses to employees.

Bonusregeling

Bonus Scheme

A scheme establishing the conditions and criteria for awarding bonuses to employees.

Borgsom

Security Deposit

A sum of money paid as security for the fulfilment of obligations.

Borgstelling

Borgtocht

Bouwbesluit

Building Decree

Dutch regulations containing technical requirements that buildings must meet.

Bouwkundige keuring

Building Survey

A technical inspection of the condition of a building by an expert.

Bouwrecht

Brandbeveiliging

Fire Protection

The set of measures and provisions for preventing and combating fire in buildings.

Brandveiligheid

Fire Safety

The degree to which a building or situation is safe against the risk of fire.

Brandverzekering

Fire Insurance

Insurance covering damage caused by fire to buildings or contents.

Brandwonden

Burns

Physical injury caused by heat, chemicals, or radiation, relevant in personal injury claims.

Brengschuld

Bronbescherming

Bruikleen

Loan for Use

An agreement whereby a thing is given to another for use free of charge.

Bruikleenovereenkomst

Brussel-verordening

Brussels Regulation

An EU regulation governing international jurisdiction and recognition of judicial decisions.

Bruto-inkomen

Gross Income

Total income before deduction of taxes and contributions.

Buitencontractuele aansprakelijkheid

Non-Contractual Liability

Liability for damage not arising from a contract but from a wrongful act.

Buitengerechtelijke kosten

Buitengerechtelijke vernietiging

Buitengrenzen EU

EU External Borders

The borders of the European Union with non-EU countries, where border controls are carried out.

Buitenvervolgingstelling

Dismissal of Prosecution

A court decision that there are insufficient grounds to prosecute the suspect.

Burenrecht

Burgemeester

Mayor

The head of a municipality, responsible for public order and safety.

Burgerlijk recht

Burgerlijk wetboek

Burgerservicenummer

Citizen Service Number

A unique personal number for communication with the government in the Netherlands.