Legal Glossary

OR-lid

Works Council Member

Elected member of the works council with special legal protection.

Obductie

Autopsy

The medical examination of a deceased person to determine the cause of death.

Obiter dictum

Obligatie

Bond

A tradable debt security issued by a government or company.

Observatieperiode

Observation period

A period during which a situation is observed before making a decision.

Observator

Octrooi

Patent

An exclusive right to an invention granted by the government.

Octrooi-inbreuk

Patent infringement

The unauthorized use of a patented invention.

Octrooiaanvraag

Patent application

The request to a patent-granting authority to grant a patent.

Octrooibureau

Patent office

The institution responsible for granting and registering patents.

Octrooihouder

Patent holder

The holder of a granted patent.

Octrooirecht

Offerte

Quotation

An offer to enter into an agreement under certain conditions.

Officier van justitie

Public prosecutor

The magistrate who prosecutes criminal cases on behalf of the public prosecution service.

Officieuze tekst

Unofficial text

A non-binding version of a legal text or document.

Omgangsregeling

Visitation arrangement

The arrangement for contact between a child and the non-custodial parent.

Omgekeerde discriminatie

Reverse discrimination

The situation where own nationals are treated less favorably than EU nationals.

Omgevingsvergunning

Environmental permit

The permit for activities that affect the physical living environment.

Omissie

Omission

The failure to perform an action that is legally required.

Omkeringsregel

Omkeringsregel aansprakelijkheid

Reversal rule liability

The evidentiary rule presuming causation upon violation of a specific safety norm.

Omslagstelsel

Pay-as-you-go system

A financing system where current benefits are paid from current contributions.

Onafhankelijkheid EU

Independence EU

The principle that EU institutions function independently from member states.

Onbehoorlijk bestuur

Onbevoegdheid

Lack of jurisdiction

The absence of authority of a court or administrative body to handle a case.

Onder pari

Onderaanneming

Subcontracting

The outsourcing of part of a contracted work to a third party.

Onderbewindstelling

Protective administration

The judicial measure placing a person's assets under administration.

Ondercuratelestelling

Placement under guardianship

The judicial measure rendering an adult legally incompetent.

Onderhandeling

Negotiation

The process of consultation between parties to reach an agreement.

Onderhandse akte

Onderhandse verkoop

Private sale

The sale of a good outside a public auction.

Onderhoudstermijn

Onderhoudsverplichting

Maintenance obligation

The legal obligation to contribute to the maintenance of another person.

Onderhoudsverzoek

Maintenance request

A request to the court to establish or modify maintenance.

Onderhuur

Sublease

The rental of a leased property by the tenant to a third party.

Onderlinge waarborgmaatschappij

Ondernemingskamer

Ondernemingsraad

Onderpand

Collateral

An asset serving as security for the performance of an obligation.

Onderscheidend vermogen

Distinctive character

The ability of a sign to distinguish the goods or services of one undertaking from those of others.

Ondertekening

Signature

The placing of a signature to confirm a document or legal act.

Ondertoezichtstelling

Supervision order

A child protection measure appointing a family guardian.

Ondertoezichtstelling (OTS)

Supervision Order

Child protection measure where a family guardian supervises the upbringing.

Onderverzekering

Underinsurance

The situation where the insured value is lower than the actual value of the insured object.

Ondervragingsrecht

Right to examine witnesses

The right of the accused to examine witnesses.

Onderzoekskosten

Investigation costs

The costs incurred for investigating the extent or cause of damage.

Onderzoeksplicht

Oneerlijke handelspraktijk

Ongedaanmakingsverbintenis

Ongeoorloofde reproductie

Unauthorized reproduction

The reproduction of a copyright-protected work without permission.

Ongerechtvaardigde verrijking

Ongeschreven zorgvuldigheidsnorm

Unwritten standard of care

A standard of careful conduct in social life not established in statute.

Onherroepelijk

Irrevocable

A decision or judgment against which no ordinary legal remedy is available.

Onherroepelijk vonnis

Final judgment

A court judgment against which no ordinary legal remedy is available.

Onkostenvergoeding

Expense reimbursement

The reimbursement of costs incurred by an employee on behalf of the employer.

Onrechtmatig

Onrechtmatige daad

een handeling die inbreuk maakt op iemands recht, in strijd is met een wettelijke plicht, of indruist tegen de maatschappelijke zorgvuldigheid, en waardoor schade ontstaat die de dader moet vergoeden.

Onregelmatige opzegging

Onregelmatigheidstoeslag

Irregular hours allowance

A wage supplement for working at irregular hours.

Onroerend goed

Real estate

Land and buildings and structures permanently connected to it.

Onroerende zaak

Ontbindende voorwaarde

Ontbinding

Ontbindingsverzoek

Onteigening

Expropriation

The forced deprivation of property by the government in the public interest.

Ontheffing

Exemption

A decision granting an exception to a legal prohibition or obligation.

Ontheffing gezag

Discharge from parental authority

The judicial measure discharging a parent from authority over a child.

Onthoudingsverklaring

Ontkenning vaderschap

Denial of paternity

The judicial procedure to refute legal paternity.

Ontruiming

Eviction

The forced vacating of real property by order of a court or landlord.

Ontruimingsaanzegging

Ontruimingsbescherming

Ontslag

Ontslag bestuurder

Dismissal of director

The termination of the appointment of a director of a legal entity.

Ontslag op staande voet

Ontslag van instantie

Ontslagaanzegging

Dismissal notice

The employer's notification to the employee that the employment contract will be terminated.

Ontslagbescherming

Dismissal protection

The legal protection of employees against unjustified dismissal.

Ontslagdatum

Dismissal date

The date on which the employment contract ends after termination or dissolution.

Ontslaggrond

Ground for dismissal

The legal reason underlying the dismissal of an employee.

Ontslagprocedure

Dismissal procedure

The formal procedure to be followed when dismissing an employee.

Ontslagvergoeding

Ontslagvergunning

Dismissal permit

The UWV's permission to terminate an employment contract.

Onttrekking aan het verkeer

Withdrawal from circulation

The criminal law measure withdrawing objects from circulation.

Ontucht

Indecent assault

Sexual acts criminalized in the Criminal Code.

Ontvankelijkheid

Admissibility

The assessment whether a claim or request can be substantively considered.

Ontvankelijkheid bestuursrecht

Admissibility in administrative law

The assessment whether an objection or appeal in administrative law can be substantively considered.

Onus probandi

Onverbindendverklaring

Declaration of non-binding force

The judicial ruling that a statutory provision must be set aside.

Onverdeelde nalatenschap

Onverschuldigde betaling

Undue payment

A payment made without legal basis.

Onvoorziene omstandigheden

Onzekerheidsvereiste

Uncertainty Requirement

Requirement that uncertainty exists regarding facts or law in a settlement agreement.

Onzelfstandige woonruimte

Non-Independent Living Space

Living space that does not have its own facilities and a separate entrance.

Onzorgvuldig handelen

Negligent Conduct

Acting contrary to the standard of care expected in society.

Oogletsel

Eye Injury

Damage to the eye resulting from an accident, assault, or medical error.

Oorspronkelijkheid

Originality

Requirement that a work is the author's own intellectual creation for copyright protection.

Opdracht

Opdrachtgever

Principal

The party who commissions another to perform work.

Open source

Open Source

Software whose source code is freely available under an open licence.

Openbaar Ministerie

Public Prosecution Service

The government body responsible for prosecuting criminal offences.

Openbaarheid

Publicity

The principle that justice and governance take place in public.

Openbaarmaken

Publication

Making a work or information available to the public.

Openbare orde

Public Order

Fundamental principles of the legal order that cannot be set aside by parties.

Openbare register

Operatie

Surgery

Medical procedure that is legally relevant for liability and informed consent.

Opheffing faillissement

Dissolution of Bankruptcy

Termination of bankruptcy due to lack of assets.

Opheffingskortgeding

Opinio iuris

Opiumwet

Opium Act

Dutch law regulating the production, trade, and possession of drugs.

Opknappen

Renovation

Renovation of a rental property and the legal consequences thereof.

Oplevering

Opleveringsgebrek

Opleverstaat

Condition Report

Document describing the condition of a rented property at the start or end of the tenancy.

Opname

Admission

Admission to a hospital or institution, legally relevant for involuntary commitment.

Oprichting

Incorporation

The establishment of a legal entity by means of a notarial deed.

Oproeping

Summons

Official call to appear before a court or meeting.

Oproepingstermijn

Notice Period for Summons

The statutory period within which a summons must be given.

Oproepkracht

On-Call Worker

Employee who only works when called upon by the employer.

Opschortende voorwaarde

Opschortingsrecht

Opslagpercentage

Mark-up Percentage

Percentage surcharge on top of a base interest rate or tariff.

Opsporingsbevoegdheid

Investigative Authority

Legal authority of law enforcement officers to investigate criminal offences.

Opstalaansprakelijkheid

Structural Liability

Strict liability of the possessor of a structure for damage caused by defects.

Opstalrecht

Right of Superficies

Real right to own buildings or works on another person's land.

Opstalverzekering

Building Insurance

Insurance covering damage to the building structure.

Optie

Option

The right to enter into an agreement within a specified period.

Optieprotocol

Optional Protocol

Supplementary treaty to an international human rights convention.

Optierecht

Option Right

The right to be the first to purchase a property under predetermined conditions.

Opvolgend werkgeverschap

Opzegging

Termination

Unilateral termination of a continuing contract by one of the parties.

Opzegging arbeidsovereenkomst

Opzegging faillissement

Termination in Bankruptcy

The possibility to terminate agreements after declaration of bankruptcy.

Opzeggingsverbod

Prohibition of Termination

Legal prohibition on terminating a contract during a certain period.

Opzegtermijn

Opzegverbod

Opzet

Intent

The will to bring about a certain result in criminal law.

Opzetclausule

Intent Clause

Clause in an insurance policy excluding coverage for intentional acts.

Opzichtclausule

Custody Clause

Clause in an insurance policy excluding damage to property in custody.

Orchidee-arrest

Orchid Ruling

Important ruling on the scope of retention of title.

Orderbevestiging

Order Confirmation

Written confirmation of a placed order with the agreed terms.

Organisatie

Organisation

A structured association of persons with a specific purpose.

Orthopedisch letsel

Orthopaedic Injury

Injury to the musculoskeletal system that may lead to a damage claim.

Ouder-kindrelatie

Parent-Child Relationship

The legal and emotional bond between parent and child.

Ouderaansprakelijkheid

Parental Liability

Liability of parents for damage caused by their minor children.

Ouderbijdrage

Parental Contribution

Financial contribution from parents towards the costs of youth care or childcare.

Oudercontact

Parental Contact

The right of a child to maintain contact with both parents, including after divorce.

Ouderdomsclausule

Ouderlijk gezag

Parental Authority

The right and duty of parents to care for and raise their minor children.

Ouderlijke macht

Parental Power

Former term for the authority of parents over their minor children.

Ouderschapsplan

Parenting Plan

Mandatory plan upon divorce regarding the care and upbringing of the children.

Outplacement

Guidance for an employee in finding a new job after dismissal.

Overbedeling

Overdracht

Overdracht van rechten

Transfer of Rights

The transfer of subjective rights from one rights holder to another.

Overdrachtsbeperkingen

Transfer Restrictions

Contractual or statutory restrictions on the transfer of goods or rights.

Overeenkomst

Overeenkomst op afstand

Overeenkomst van opdracht

Contract of Mandate

Agreement in which the contractor undertakes to perform work.

Overgang van onderneming

Overheidsaansprakelijkheid

Overlast

Nuisance

Disturbance that is unlawful towards neighbours or tenants.

Overlijdensrisicoverzekering

Term Life Insurance

Insurance that pays out upon the death of the insured within a specified period.

Overmacht

Overmachtsclausule

Force Majeure Clause

Contractual provision governing the consequences of unforeseen circumstances.

Overnamebalans

Overplaatsing

Transfer

Moving an employee to a different position, department, or location.

Overtreding

Minor Offence

Minor criminal offence that is less serious than a crime.

Overtreding (strafrecht)

Regulatory Offence

Criminal offence from Book 3 of the Dutch Criminal Code.

Overuren

Overtime

Hours worked by an employee beyond the agreed working time.

Overval

Robbery

Violent theft by means of threat or force.

Oververzekering

Over-Insurance

Situation where the insured value exceeds the actual value of the insured interest.

Overwerk

Overtime Work

Work performed outside normal working hours.