Legal Glossary

SLA (Service Level Agreement)

Service Level Agreement (SLA)

Agreement on the level and quality of services to be delivered.

STAK-faillissement

STAK Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy of a Trust Office Foundation.

Salaris

Salary

The periodic financial compensation an employee receives for work performed.

Salarisschaal

Salary Scale

A structured system of pay grades within a job group.

Sale-and-leaseback

A sale-and-leaseback is a transaction whereby a company sells an asset, such as real property, to an investor and immediately leases it back in order to obtain liquidity.

Salvo titulo

Without title.

Salvo titulo is a Latin term meaning “subject to title” and used to reserve ownership rights or claims.

Samenlevingscontract

Cohabitation Contract

Notarial agreement between cohabitants regarding their financial arrangements.

Samenlevingsovereenkomst

Cohabitation Agreement

Agreement between unmarried partners regarding their cohabitation arrangements.

Samenwerkingsovereenkomst

Cooperation Agreement

Agreement between parties to cooperate toward a common goal.

Samenwoners

Cohabitants

Persons who cohabit unmarried in a shared household.

Samenwoning

Cohabitation

The shared habitation of a dwelling by two or more persons.

Samenwoningsplicht

Obligation to Cohabit

The legal obligation of spouses to live together.

Sanctie

Sanction

A measure imposed by the government or an organization for violation of rules.

Sanering

Remediation

The cleanup or restoration of a contaminated site or financial situation.

Sans prejudice

Without prejudice

A legal expression indicating that a communication or act does not prejudice the rights or position of the parties or constitute an admission.

Schadeafhandeling

Claims Settlement

The process of handling and settling a damage claim.

Schadebegroting

Damage Assessment

The determination of the extent of damage in monetary terms.

Schadebeperking

Damage Mitigation

The duty of the injured party to mitigate damage as much as possible.

Schadebeperkingsplicht

duty to mitigate damages

The duty to mitigate damages is the obligation of the injured party to take reasonable measures to limit the extent of the damage.

Schadeberekening

Damage Calculation

The calculation of the total extent of damage suffered.

Schadebesluit

Damage Decision

Decision by an administrative body on compensation for damage caused by lawful government action.

Schadeclaim

Damage Claim

A claim for compensation for damage suffered.

Schadelast

Claims Burden

The total amount of claims payments by an insurer in a given period.

Schadeloosstelling

Indemnification

Full compensation for damage suffered.

Schadeomvang

Extent of Damage

The total size of the damage suffered.

Schadepost

Item of Damage

A separate component of the total damage.

Schaderegelaar

Claims Adjuster

Person who assesses and settles claims on behalf of the insurer.

Schaderegeling

Claims Settlement

The process of negotiation and settlement of a damage claim.

Schadereserve

Claims Reserve

Amount an insurer reserves for expected but not yet settled claims.

Schadestaatprocedure

Damages assessment proceedings

The schadestaat procedure is a separate civil proceeding in which the quantum of damages is determined after liability has already been admitted or established.

Schadevaststelling

Damage Determination

The process of determining the nature and extent of damage.

Schadevergoeding

Damages

Damages are the monetary compensation that one party is required to pay to another for loss or injury sustained. The purpose is to restore the injured party, as far as possible, to the position in which they would have been had the damage not occurred.

Schadevergoeding in natura

Compensation in Kind

Compensation by restoration to the original condition instead of money.

Schadevergoedingsmaatstaf

Standard of Compensation

The standard by which the amount of compensation is determined.

Schadeverzekering

Indemnity Insurance

Insurance that compensates the actual damage suffered.

Scheiding en deling

Partition and Division

The division of joint property among the entitled parties.

Scheiding van tafel en bed

Judicial Separation

Suspension of the obligation to cohabit without dissolution of the marriage.

Scheidingsconvenant

Divorce Agreement

Agreement between spouses regarding the consequences of their divorce.

Scheidingsmediator

Divorce Mediator

A neutral third party who guides spouses in reaching agreements about their divorce.

Scheidingsmelding

Divorce Notification

The notification of a divorce to the civil registry.

Schending ambtsgeheim

Breach of Official Secrecy

Unauthorized disclosure of information obtained by virtue of office or profession.

Schending zorgplicht

Breach of Duty of Care

Failure to fulfill the obligation to act carefully toward another.

Schengenakkoord

Schengen Agreement

Treaty providing for the abolition of border controls between participating European states.

Schenkbelasting

Gift Tax

Tax levied on the value of a gift.

Schenking

Gift

A gift is an agreement whereby one party undertakes to enrich the other without receiving any consideration in return.

Schenking onder schuldigerkenning

Gift subject to acknowledgment of debt

A gift subject to acknowledgment of debt is a notarial arrangement whereby the donor acknowledges owing a sum of money to the donee, which is treated as a gift. This creates a claim without the immediate transfer of funds.

Schijn van volmachtverlening

Apparent Authority

The situation in which a third party may justifiably trust that someone is authorized to act.

Schijnzelfstandigheid

false self-employment

Working as a freelancer while there is in fact a relationship of authority as in an employment relationship.

Schikking

Settlement

An agreement whereby parties end a dispute through mutual concessions.

Schikking (strafrecht)

Settlement (Criminal Law)

Agreement between the public prosecutor and the suspect to avoid prosecution.

Scholingsplicht

Training Obligation

The employer's obligation to provide training to the employee.

Schone lei

Clean Slate

The discharge of remaining debts after completion of a debt restructuring process.

Schorsende werking

Suspensive Effect

The effect that a legal remedy suspends the enforcement of a decision or judgment.

Schorsing

Suspension

The temporary suspension of rights, obligations, or powers.

Schotelantenne

Satellite Dish

A reception antenna for satellite signals raising legal questions in tenancy law.

Schouderletsel

Shoulder Injury

Physical damage to the shoulder as a result of an accident.

Schriftelijke ronde

Written Round

The part of civil proceedings in which parties submit written documents.

Schriftelijke volmacht

Written Power of Attorney

A written document authorizing someone to act on behalf of another.

Schriftelijkheidsvereiste

Writing Requirement

The legal requirement that an agreement or legal act must be recorded in writing.

Schuld

Fault

Culpability of a person's act or omission.

Schuld (strafrecht)

Culpability (Criminal Law)

Culpability as a condition for criminal liability.

Schuldeiser

Creditor

The party entitled to performance from the debtor.

Schuldeisersbenadeling

Prejudice to Creditors

Performing legal acts that prejudice the recovery options of creditors.

Schuldeiserscommissie

Creditors' Committee

A court-appointed committee of creditors in a bankruptcy.

Schuldeisersverzuim

Creditor's default

Creditor's default is the situation in which the creditor fails to accept performance tendered by the debtor, thereby preventing performance.

Schuldenaar

Debtor

The party obligated to perform toward the creditor.

Schuldigerkenning

Acknowledgment of debt

An acknowledgment of debt is a declaration whereby a party acknowledges owing a debt or bearing liability to another. Such an acknowledgment may serve as evidence in civil proceedings.

Schuldsanering

Debt Restructuring

Statutory arrangement for restructuring debts of natural persons.

Schuldsanering particulier

Private Debt Restructuring

Amicable or statutory process for resolving debts of private individuals.

Secundair EU-recht

Secondary EU Law

Legislation adopted by EU institutions based on the treaties.

Secundaire arbeidsvoorwaarden

Secondary Employment Conditions

Employment conditions besides salary, such as holiday days, pension, and allowances.

Secundaire victimisatie

Secondary Victimisation

Re-victimisation caused by the treatment received after a crime.

Selbsteintritt

Self-entry

Selbsteintritt is a concept in German commercial law whereby a commission agent is entitled to act as buyer or seller in its own right rather than concluding a contract with a third party.

Separatist

Secured Creditor (Separatist)

Creditor with a security right who can enforce independently of bankruptcy.

Sepot

Decision not to prosecute

A sepot is the decision of the Public Prosecution Service not to prosecute a criminal case.

Serieschade

Serial Damage

Multiple damage events arising from the same cause or series of events.

Servicekosten

Service Charges

Costs paid by a tenant in addition to the basic rent for additional services.

Servicekosten huur

Rental Service Charges

Additional costs due alongside rent for services and supplies.

Servicekosten huurwoning

Rental Property Service Charges

Additional costs alongside the rental price of a rented property.

Shockschade

Shock Damage

Non-material damage caused by witnessing a serious accident or crime.

Signalering

Flagging (Registration)

Registration of a person in a law enforcement search system.

Sine die

indefinitely

Sine die is a Latin term meaning that a case or hearing is adjourned without a new date being fixed, thereby suspending the proceedings indefinitely.

Sine qua non

without which not

Sine qua non is a Latin term denoting an indispensable condition. In law, it refers to an element without which a particular consequence would not have occurred.

Slaafse nabootsing

Slavish imitation

Slavish imitation is the imitation of the appearance or presentation of a product in such a precise manner that confusion arises as to its origin.

Slachtofferhulp

Victim Support

Organisation and assistance for victims of crimes and disasters.

Slachtofferrechten

Victims' Rights

Legal rights of victims in criminal proceedings.

Sleutelbeenfractuur

Clavicle Fracture

Fracture of the collarbone, often caused by a fall or collision.

Sleutelgeld

Key Money

Prohibited payment demanded by a landlord for handing over the key.

Slijtage

Wear and Tear

Gradual deterioration of an object through normal use.

Smaad

Defamation

Defamation is the intentional public accusation of a person of a specific fact with the aim of harming that person's honour or reputation. It is made punishable by Article 261 of the Criminal Code.

Smaadschrift

Libel

A defamatory writing is a written document in which a person is accused, in an offensive manner, of facts that impair that person’s honor or reputation.

Smartengeld

compensation for pain and suffering

Pain and suffering damages are compensation for non-pecuniary loss, such as pain, grief or loss of enjoyment of life resulting from a tort or liability.

Smartengeldgids

Pain and Suffering Compensation Guide

Reference work with guideline amounts for non-material damages.

Snelrecht

Expedited proceedings

Expedited justice is an accelerated criminal procedure under which suspects of certain minor offences are brought before the court within a few days of their arrest.

Sociale huur

Social Housing

Rental property with rent below the liberalisation threshold.

Sociale zekerheid EU

EU Social Security

EU coordination of social security systems for cross-border situations.

Soevereiniteit

Sovereignty

The supreme authority of a state over its territory and population.

Software-octrooi

Software Patent

Patent protection for technical inventions involving software.

Sollicitatiecode

Recruitment Code

Code of conduct for recruitment and selection of personnel.

Sollicitatieperiode

Job Search Period

Period during which an employee seeks new employment after dismissal.

Solvabiliteit

Solvency

The ability of a company to meet all its financial obligations.

Sommatie

Summons

A demand letter is a formal written notice of default in which one party requires the other party to perform an obligation, often prior to the commencement of legal proceedings.

Sommenverzekering

Fixed-Sum Insurance

Insurance that pays a fixed amount upon the occurrence of a specified event.

Soortgelijke waren

Similar Goods

Goods considered comparable in trademark law.

Specificatie

Specification

Formation of a new thing from one or more existing things.

Spierletsel

Muscle Injury

Damage to muscle tissue from an accident or overexertion.

Splitsing

Demerger

Division of the assets of a legal entity among two or more legal entities.

Splitsingsakte

Deed of Division

A deed of division is a notarial deed by which a building is subdivided into separate apartments or units. This establishes an owners’ association responsible for the management of the common parts.

Splitsingsreglement

Division Regulations

A division regulation is the regulation that forms part of the deed of division and contains the rules for the use, management and maintenance of a building that has been subdivided into apartment rights.

Splitsingsvergunning

Division Permit

Permit for dividing a building into separate apartment rights.

Spoedappel

Urgent appeal

An expedited appeal is an accelerated appellate procedure before the Administrative Jurisdiction Division of the Council of State in cases involving an urgent interest.

Spoedeisend belang

Urgent interest

Urgent interest is the requirement that a party demonstrates an acute need for an immediate judicial decision, as ordinary proceedings would take too long.

Spontane vernietiging

Spontaneous Annulment

Ex officio annulment of a decision by an administrative body.

Sportongeval

Sports Accident

Accident occurring during the practice of sports.

Spreekrecht

Victim Impact Statement Right

The right of victims to make a statement at trial.

Staande houden

Stop and Identify

Authority of law enforcement officers to request a person's identity.

Staande magistratuur

standing magistracy

The standing magistrature is the collective term for the Public Prosecution Service, which is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences.

Staatsraad

Council of State Member

Member of the Council of State, the government's highest advisory body.

Staatssteun

State Aid

Government financial support to undertakings that may distort competition.

Stadsvernieuwing

Urban Renewal

Restructuring and improvement of deteriorated urban areas.

Staking

Strike

Collective work stoppage by employees as a pressure measure.

Stamrecht

Periodic Benefit Right

Right to periodic payments, often upon dismissal.

Standplaats

Pitch (Stand)

Fixed spot on public roads for conducting mobile trade.

Stare decisis

To stand by decided matters

Stare decisis is the legal principle that judges must adhere to precedents established in earlier decisions involving similar cases.

Startverklaring

Declaration of Commencement

A start declaration is a written declaration whereby a starting entrepreneur indicates that he or she is commencing the operation of an enterprise for tax purposes.

Status quo

the status quo

The status quo is the existing factual or legal situation that must be maintained until a judicial decision is rendered.

Statutair bestuur

Statutory Board

The statutory board is the body of a company appointed pursuant to the articles of association and charged with the management and day-to-day operations of the legal entity.

Statutaire zetel

Statutory seat

The statutory seat is the official address of a legal person as determined in its articles of association. It constitutes the legal domicile for correspondence and legally valid acts.

Statuten

Articles of Association

The articles of association are the internal rules of a legal entity, such as a BV or NV, that establish its structure, powers and operations.

Statutenwijziging

Amendment of the Articles of Association

An amendment to the articles of association is the formal modification of the articles of association of a legal entity, such as a BV or an NV. This generally requires a notarial deed and a resolution of the shareholders or members.

Stelplicht

Duty to State Facts

Obligation of a litigant to state sufficient facts in support of their claim or defence.

Stemming

Vote (Division)

Formal decision-making through casting votes.

Stemovereenkomst

Voting Agreement

A voting agreement is a contractual arrangement between shareholders concerning the manner in which they shall exercise their voting rights at the general meeting of shareholders.

Stemrecht

Voting right

The right to vote is the right to vote at a meeting on resolutions of a legal entity. This right is typically vested in shareholders or members.

Stemverslag

Voting Report

A voting report is a document in which the results of the votes taken during a shareholders’ meeting or general meeting are recorded.

Sterfhuisconstructie

decedent's estate structure

A sterfhuisconstructie is a tax structure under which, upon the death of the owner, assets or shares are transferred in a structured manner in order to minimise or defer tax liability.

Steunvordering

Supporting claim

A supporting claim is a claim held by a creditor that supports the bankruptcy petition of another creditor.

Stichting

Foundation

Legal entity without members, established to achieve a specific purpose.

Stichting administratiekantoor

Administrative Office Foundation

A foundation for the administration of shares (STAK) is an independent foundation that holds shares in a company and, in exchange, issues share certificates to the certificate holders.

Stiefouder

Step-parent

The new partner of a parent who is not the biological parent of the child.

Stille bewindvoerder

Silent administrator

A silent administrator is a trustee appointed by the court who acts discreetly, without public disclosure, to prepare for a possible bankruptcy.

Stille bewindvoering

Silent Administration

Informal pre-bankruptcy phase where a prospective trustee is involved.

Stilzwijgende verlenging

Tacit Renewal

Automatic renewal of a contract in the absence of termination notice.

Stoelendansmethode

Musical chairs method

The musical chairs method is a selection method used in reorganizations whereby employees are assigned to the remaining interchangeable positions on the basis of objective criteria such as seniority and age.

Stoffering

Soft Furnishings

Non-fixed furnishings of a dwelling such as curtains and floor covering.

Stomaletsel

Stoma Injury

Injury leading to the necessity of a stoma.

Strafbeschikking

Criminal Order

Decision by the public prosecutor to impose a penalty without judicial intervention.

Strafblad

Criminal Record

Registration of a person's criminal convictions.

Strafeis

Sentencing Demand

The penalty demanded by the public prosecutor at trial.

Strafklacht

Criminal Complaint

Request by a victim to the prosecution to initiate proceedings for a complaint offence.

Strafmaat

Sentence Level

The level or severity of the imposed sentence.

Strafmaatbepaling

Sentencing Determination

The process of determining the appropriate sentence by the court.

Strafproces

Criminal Trial

The entire set of procedures in a criminal case from investigation to verdict.

Strafrecht

Criminal Law

Area of law governing criminal offences and their penalties.

Strafuitsluitingsgrond

Ground for Exclusion of Criminal Liability

Circumstance preventing punishment of a criminal offence.

Strafvermindering

Sentence Reduction

Reduction of the sentence due to mitigating circumstances.

Strafvordering

Criminal Procedure

The body of rules for the prosecution and adjudication of criminal offences.

Strafzaak

Criminal Case

Case in which a suspect is prosecuted for a criminal offence.

Stricto sensu

In the strict sense

Stricto sensu is a Latin term meaning “in the strict sense” and referring to a literal, restrictive interpretation of a concept or statutory provision.

Strijd met wettelijke plicht

Breach of Statutory Duty

Tort consisting of acting in breach of a legal obligation.

Structuurregeling

Structure Regime

Legal regime for large companies with a mandatory supervisory board.

Structuurregime

Structure Regime

The structure regime is a statutory regime under Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code that applies to large Dutch N.V.s and B.V.s and provides for a supervisory board with mandatory powers of appointment and supervision.

Structuurvennootschap

structured company

A structuurvennootschap is a large Dutch NV or BV that meets the statutory criteria of the structure regime and is therefore required to establish a supervisory board with extensive powers.

Studentenhuisvesting

Student Housing

Living space specifically intended for students.

Studentenkamer

Student Room

Non-self-contained living space occupied by a student.

Studiekostenbeding

Training Costs Clause

Agreement requiring the employee to repay training costs upon early departure.

Stuiting

Interruption

Interruption is the interruption of the prescription of a claim, as a result of which a new prescription period begins to run.

Stuiting verjaring

Interruption of Limitation

Act causing a limitation period to start running anew.

Sub iudice

sub judice

Sub iudice is a Latin term indicating that a case remains pending before the court and that no final judgment has yet been rendered.

Sub voce

Under the word

Sub voce is a Latin term meaning “under the word” and is used to refer to a specific keyword or lemma in a legal reference work or dictionary.

Subjectief recht

Subjective Right

A right granted to an individual by objective law.

Subjectieve voorzienbaarheid

Subjective Foreseeability

The extent to which a specific person could foresee the consequences of their actions.

Subrogatie

Subrogation

Subrogation is the transfer of a claim whereby a third party succeeds to the rights of the original creditor. This mechanism prevents unjust enrichment and arises principally in insurance.

Subrogatie (verzekering)

Subrogation (Insurance)

Transfer of the insured's right of claim to the insurer after payment.

Subsidiariteit

Subsidiarity

Principle that a higher authority only acts when lower authorities are insufficiently effective.

Subsidie

Subsidy

Government financial contribution for activities in the public interest.

Substantiëringsplicht

Duty to Substantiate

Obligation of the claimant to factually substantiate their claim in the summons.

Substituut

Substitute

Deputy of a public prosecutor or court clerk.

Successie

Succession

Transfer of assets upon death.

Sui generis

Of its own kind

Sui generis is a Latin term meaning "of its own kind" and refers to a unique legal regime that falls outside existing statutory categories.

Supranationaal

Supranational

Above the state, with direct effect in Member States.

Surseance

Suspension of Payments

Postponement of payment granted to a debtor to reorganise finances.

Surseance van betaling

Suspension of payments

Suspension of payments is a statutory regime under which a company is temporarily protected from its creditors to facilitate a restart or restructuring.

Surseanceverslag

Suspension Report

Periodic report by the administrator on the progress of the suspension.

Syndicus

Syndic

Manager of an Owners' Association or trade union official.