Legal Glossary

Maatregel

Measure

An obligation or provision imposed by a court or administrative body.

Maatschap

Maatschappelijk kapitaal

Maatwerk

Customized provision

An individually tailored provision in the social domain.

Machtiging

Authorization

The authority to perform legal acts on behalf of another.

Machtiging uithuisplaatsing

Authorization for placement out of home

A court authorization to place a minor outside the family.

Machtiging voortzetting

Authorization for continuation

The extension of a court authorization for a measure.

Machtigingsafgifte

Issuance of authorization

The issuance of an authorization by a competent authority.

Magistratuur

Makelaardij

Brokerage

Mediation in the purchase, sale, or rental of real estate.

Makelaarskosten

Brokerage costs

The fee a broker receives for their mediation services.

Mala fide

Management

The governance and daily leadership of an organization or company.

Management-BV

Managementcontract

Management contract

An agreement outsourcing management activities to an external party.

Managementovereenkomst

Management agreement

An agreement on the terms under which management services are provided.

Mandaat

Mandate

The authority to take decisions in the name of an administrative body.

Mandaat bestuursrecht

Administrative law mandate

The administrative law concept where an administrative body mandates authority to another.

Mandatum

Marktordening

Market regulation

The regulation of markets by the government to ensure fair competition.

Materieel recht

Materiële inbreuk

Material breach

A substantial violation of an agreement or right.

Materiële schade

Material damage

Financial damage that can be expressed in money.

Materiële schade

Matiging

Matiging schadevergoeding

Reduction of damages

The court's power to reduce damages if they would be unreasonable.

Mededelingsplicht

Duty of disclosure

The obligation to disclose relevant information to the other party.

Mededinging

Competition

The rivalry between companies in a market.

Mededingingsrecht EU

EU competition law

The European legal field ensuring fair competition in the internal market.

Medehuurder

Co-tenant

A person who is a tenant of a dwelling together with the main tenant.

Medehuurderschap

Co-tenancy

The legal status of co-tenant of a dwelling.

Medeplegen

Co-perpetration

The joint commission of a criminal offense by two or more persons.

Medepleger

Co-perpetrator

A person who commits a criminal offense together with others.

Medeschuld

Contributory fault

The extent to which the victim contributed to the occurrence of the damage.

Medezeggenschap

Mediation

Medisch adviseur

Medical advisor

A physician who advises legal parties on medical aspects of a case.

Medisch dossier

Medical file

The entirety of medical data about a patient.

Medische aansprakelijkheid

Medical liability

The liability of healthcare providers for damage resulting from medical treatment.

Medische behandeling

Medical treatment

Actions in the field of medicine to diagnose or treat a condition.

Medische eindtoestand

Medical end state

The situation where a patient's recovery has medically stabilized.

Medische fout

Medical error

An error by a healthcare provider in the diagnosis, treatment, or aftercare of a patient.

Meerderjarigheid

Majority

Reaching the age of eighteen, resulting in full legal capacity.

Meervoudige causaliteit

Multiple causation

The situation where multiple causes contribute to the occurrence of damage.

Meervoudige kamer

Multi-judge chamber

A judicial chamber consisting of three judges.

Meerwerk

Meeverzekerde

Co-insured

A person covered under an insurance policy alongside the policyholder.

Meineed

Melding

Report

A formal notification to a competent authority about a certain fact or event.

Melding schade

Damage report

The formal notification to an insurer or liable party about damage suffered.

Memorie van antwoord

Statement of defense on appeal

The written defense of the respondent in appeal proceedings.

Memorie van grieven

Statement of grievances

The written document in which the appellant formulates objections against the judgment.

Mensenhandel

Human trafficking

The exploitation of persons through coercion, deception, or abuse of a vulnerable position.

Mensenrechtenverdrag

Human rights convention

An international treaty protecting fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals.

Mentor

A court-appointed person who represents the interests of someone unable to decide about their own care and treatment.

Merkdepot

Trademark filing

The application for registration of a trademark at the trademark office.

Merkenrecht

Merkhouder

Trademark holder

The holder of a registered trademark.

Merkinbreuk

Trademark infringement

The unauthorized use of a protected trademark.

Merkrecht

Trademark law

The legal field governing the protection of trademarks.

Merkregistratie

Trademark registration

The registration of a trademark with the competent registry.

Middellijke schade

Indirect damage

Damage that does not flow directly but through an intermediate link from the damaging event.

Middenhuur

Mid-range rental

Rental housing in the segment between social housing and the free market sector.

Middenstandsbedrijfsruimte

Milieurecht EU

EU environmental law

The European legal field governing environmental protection.

Militair strafrecht

Military criminal law

Criminal law specifically applicable to military personnel.

Minderheidsaandeelhouder

Minderjarige

Minor

A person who has not yet reached the age of eighteen.

Minderjarigheid

Minority

The legal status of a person under the age of eighteen.

Minderwerk

Minimumkapitaal

Minimumloon

Minimum wage

The legally established lowest wage an employer must pay.

Minuut

Minute (notarial)

The original copy of a notarial deed that remains with the notary.

Misbruik

Abuse

The unlawful or excessive use of a right or power.

Misbruik van bevoegdheid

Misdragingen

Misconduct

Serious misconduct that may lead to disciplinary or employment law measures.

Misdrijf

Felony

A serious criminal offense listed in Book 2 of the Criminal Code.

Misleidende reclame

Mobiliteit

Mobility

The ability and willingness of employees to change position or workplace.

Modelcontract

Model contract

A standard agreement that serves as a template for certain legal transactions.

Modellenrecht

Modelrecht

Design right

The intellectual property right protecting the outward appearance of a product.

Modelreglement

Modus operandi

Moedermaatschappij

Parent company

A company that has control over one or more subsidiary companies.

Moedervennootschap

Parent corporation

A corporation that heads a group of companies.

Mondelinge behandeling

Oral hearing

The hearing at which parties orally explain their positions to the judge.

Mondelinge overeenkomst

Monumentale woning

Listed building

A dwelling designated as a national or municipal monument.

Moord

Murder

The intentional and premeditated killing of another person.

Moratorium

A temporary postponement of the performance of obligations.

Motief

Motive

The reason or driving force behind an action.

Motiveringsplicht

Duty to state reasons

The obligation of an administrative body or court to provide reasons for a decision.

Multilateraal verdrag

Multilateral treaty

A treaty concluded between three or more states or international organizations.

Mutatie

Mutation

A change in a registration or administration.

Mutatis mutandis

Muziekrechten

Music rights

The intellectual property rights vesting in musical works.