Legal Glossary

Ongerechtvaardigde verrijking

Unjust Enrichment

Increase in wealth of one party at the expense of another without legal basis.

Vacatio legis

The period between the promulgation of a statute and its entry into force.

Vacatio legis is the period between the promulgation of a statute and the moment at which that statute enters into force.

Vaderschapsactie

Paternity Action

Legal proceedings to establish or deny paternity.

Vaderschapsonderzoek

Paternity Investigation

Investigation, usually via DNA test, to establish biological paternity.

Vakantiedag

Annual leave day

A vacation day is a paid day off on which the employee is not required to perform work, as part of the statutory or contractually established leave entitlement.

Vakantiedagen

Holiday Days

Statutory right of the employee to paid days off.

Vakantiegeld

Holiday pay

Holiday pay is an annual supplementary payment that employees receive in addition to their salary, typically amounting to 8% of their gross annual salary and intended as a contribution towards vacation expenses.

Valsheid in geschrifte

Forgery of documents

Forgery is the intentional falsification of a document that may serve as evidence, or the use of such a forged document.

Vastgoedbeheer

Property Management

Managing and operating real estate on behalf of the owner.

Vastgoedschade

Damage to real property

Real estate damage is damage to immovable property, such as buildings or land, that reduces its value or usability.

Vaststellingsovereenkomst

Settlement Agreement

A settlement agreement is an agreement whereby the parties determine an uncertain or disputed legal consequence in order to end or prevent a dispute.

Veiling

Auction

An auction is a public sale in which goods or real property are sold to the highest bidder.

Venire contra factum proprium

No one may act contrary to their own prior conduct.

Venire contra factum proprium is a legal principle that prohibits a party from acting in a manner inconsistent with its own prior conduct or statements on which the other party has justifiably relied.

Vennootschap onder firma

General partnership

A general partnership (VOF) is a form of business association without legal personality in which two or more persons carry on an enterprise under a common name and are jointly and severally liable for its debts.

Vennootschappelijk belang

Corporate interest

The corporate interest is the interest of the company as an independent legal entity, which prevails over the interests of individual shareholders or directors.

Verbalisant

Reporting Officer

Law enforcement officer who draws up an official report of a criminal offence.

Verbalisant

Reporting officer

A verbalisant is a public official authorized to draw up an official report, such as a police officer or other investigating officer.

Verbetertraject

Performance Improvement Plan

Formal process to give an employee the opportunity to improve underperformance.

Verbeurdverklaring

Forfeiture

Criminal measure confiscating objects related to a criminal offence.

Verbintenis

Obligation

Legal relationship in which one party owes a performance to another.

Verbintenissenrecht

Law of Obligations

The law of obligations is the branch of civil law that governs the formation, content and performance of obligations between parties.

Verblijfplaats

Place of Residence

The actual place where a person resides or lives.

Verblijfplaatsbepaling

Determination of Place of Residence

Court decision on the residence of a minor child of separated parents.

Verbod op staatssteun

Prohibition of State Aid

EU prohibition on government subsidies that distort competition.

Verbod van vooringenomenheid

Prohibition of Bias

Obligation of administrative bodies to make decisions without prejudice.

Verborgen gebrek

latent defect

A latent defect is a non-visible or unknown defect in a purchased good that the buyer has not discovered upon normal inspection.

Verdachte

Suspect

Person against whom a reasonable suspicion of guilt of a criminal offence exists.

Verdediging

Defence

The right of the suspect to defend against criminal charges.

Verdeling

Division (Partition)

Allocation of communal property to the individual co-owners.

Verdeling erfenis

Division of Estate

The allocation of estate assets to the heirs.

Verdrag

Treaty

Written agreement between states or international organisations under international law.

Verdragsstaat

Contracting State

State that is party to an international treaty.

Verdragswijziging EU

EU Treaty Amendment

Procedure for amending the treaties of the European Union.

Vereenzelviging

Identification

Identification is the equating of a legal person with the natural person behind it, which may give rise to personal liability.

Vereffenaar

Liquidator

A liquidator is the person appointed by the court or under a will who liquidates and settles the estate of a deceased person or a bankrupt legal entity.

Vereffening

Liquidation

Liquidation is the process by which the assets and liabilities of an estate are administered so that the remaining property may be distributed among the heirs.

Vereffeningsprocedure

Liquidation Procedure

Procedure for settling the estate of an inheritance or dissolved legal entity.

Vereniging

Association

An association is a legal person established by its members to pursue a common idealistic purpose without a profit motive.

Vereniging van eigenaren

Association of Owners

An owners’ association (VvE) is a mandatory legal entity in which the owners of apartment rights in a building are united for the purpose of regulating the management and maintenance of the common parts.

Verevening

Pension Equalisation

The division of pension rights between ex-spouses upon divorce.

Vergaderrecht

Right to Attend Meetings

Right of shareholders or certificate holders to attend general meetings.

Vergewisplicht

Duty to verify

The duty to verify is the statutory obligation to check and establish certain facts or circumstances prior to an act or decision.

Vergoeding

Compensation

Financial compensation for damage suffered, costs or lost income.

Vergoeding affectieschade

Affection Damage Compensation

Compensation for grief of close relatives upon serious injury or death of a loved one.

Vergunning

Permit

Authorisation from a government body to perform a certain activity.

Verhinderdata

Unavailability Dates

Notification of dates when parties or their lawyers are unavailable for hearings.

Verhoor

Interrogation

Questioning of a suspect, witness or expert by police or judge.

Verhoorprotocol

Interrogation Protocol

Established rules and guidelines for questioning suspects and witnesses.

Verhuurmakelaars

Letting Agents

Agents who mediate in the rental of real estate.

Verhuurvergunning

Rental Permit

Municipal permit required for renting out certain dwellings.

Verificatie vordering

Claim Verification

The examination of whether a claim filed in bankruptcy is correct and lawful.

Verificatievergadering

Claims Verification Meeting

Meeting in bankruptcy where filed claims are examined.

Verjaring

Prescription

Prescription is the legal effect whereby a claim or criminal prosecution can no longer be instituted or exercised after the expiry of a statutory period.

Verjaringstermijn

Limitation Period

The statutory period within which a legal claim must be filed.

Verkeerde been

Wrong Foot (Misleading)

Misleading a party in proceedings causing them prejudice.

Verkeersaansprakelijkheid

Traffic Liability

Liability for damage caused by a traffic accident.

Verkeersboete

Traffic Fine

Monetary fine imposed for a traffic offence.

Verkeersongeval

Traffic Accident

Unforeseen event in traffic causing personal injury or property damage.

Verkiezingen

Elections

Procedure by which citizens choose their representatives.

Verklaring derdenbeslag

Third-Party Attachment Declaration

Declaration by a third party about what it owes to the attachment debtor.

Verklaring van erfrecht

Certificate of Inheritance

A certificate of inheritance is a notarial deed recording the heirs and the powers they hold in relation to the estate.

Verklaring van geen bezwaar

Certificate of No Objection

Declaration that no objection exists to a proposed action.

Verklaring van waardeloosheid

Declaration of Worthlessness

Court declaration that a mortgage registration has lost its value.

Verklaring voor recht

Declaratory Judgment

Court ruling establishing a legal relationship or fact without a condemnation.

Verknochtheid

Personal Attachment (Matrimonial Property)

Property so closely connected to one spouse that it falls outside the community of property.

Verkoop op afstand

Distance Selling

Sales contract concluded without simultaneous physical presence of the parties.

Verkoper

Seller

Party who undertakes to deliver a thing in exchange for a purchase price.

Verkrijgende verjaring

Acquisitive prescription

Acquisitive prescription is the mode of acquiring ownership whereby a possessor becomes the owner of a thing upon the expiry of a statutory period.

Verlies van arbeidsvermogen

Loss of Earning Capacity

Damage consisting of inability to work or reduced earning capacity due to injury.

Verlies zelfwerkzaamheid

Loss of Self-Reliance

Damage for being unable to perform household and other tasks independently.

Verlofdagen

Leave Days

Statutory or contractual right to days off for specific circumstances.

Vermeerdering van eis

Increase of Claim

Amendment of the claim by increasing the amount or adding elements.

Verminderde belastbaarheid

Reduced Capacity for Work

Medically established limitation in the ability to perform work.

Verminderde verdiencapaciteit

Reduced Earning Capacity

Reduction in the ability to generate income as a result of injury or illness.

Vermindering van eis

Reduction of Claim

Amendment of the claim by reducing the amount claimed.

Vermissing

Missing Person

The disappearance of a person whose whereabouts are unknown.

Vermogensmisdrijf

Property Crime

Criminal offence directed against another's property.

Vermogenspositie

Financial Position

The financial condition of a person or legal entity in terms of assets and liabilities.

Vermogensrecht

Property Law

Property law is the branch of civil law that contains the rules governing rights and obligations in respect of the assets of natural persons and legal persons.

Vermogensschade

Pecuniary damage

Pecuniary loss is the financial loss suffered by an injured party as a result of a diminution in their assets, such as repair costs, loss of income or diminution in value.

Vernietigbaarheid

Voidability

The ability to annul a legal act by invoking a defect of will.

Vernietiging besluit

Annulment of Decision

Setting aside an administrative decision by the court or higher authority.

Vernietiging pauliana

Actio Pauliana

Annulment of a legal act that prejudices creditors.

Verordening

Ordinance (Regulation)

Generally binding regulation adopted by a representative body.

Verordening (EU)

EU Regulation

Directly applicable and binding legislative instrument of the European Union.

Verpanding

Pledging

Pledging is the creation of a pledge over movable property or receivables as security for the performance of an obligation.

Verpanding aandelen

Pledge of Shares

The pledging of shares is the creation of a pledge over shares in a company as security for a claim. The pledgee thereby acquires the right to enforce the shares in the event of default.

Verpleging

Nursing Care

Medical care and support during illness or injury.

Verplichtingen

Obligations

Legally enforceable acts that one party must perform towards another.

Verrekenbeding

Settlement Clause

Clause in prenuptial agreement on settlement of assets upon divorce.

Verrekening

Set-off

Set-off is the offsetting against each other of mutual, due and payable claims between the same parties, as a result of which those claims are extinguished up to the amount they have in common.

Verschoningsrecht

Right to decline to testify

The right to refuse to give evidence is the right of certain professionals to decline to testify regarding confidential information entrusted to them in their professional capacity.

Verslag

Report

A report is a written account of facts, findings, or discussions, such as official minutes or an expert report.

Verstek

Default

Default is the situation in which the defendant fails to appear or respond to the summons, enabling the court to enter a default judgment.

Verstekvonnis

Default judgment

A default judgment is a judicial decision granting the plaintiff's claim because the defendant has failed to appear or to submit a defense.

Vertegenwoordigingsbevoegdheid

Power of representation

The authority of a person or body to represent a legal entity in legal acts and to bind it thereby.

Vertragingsschade

Damages for delay

Delay damages are the loss suffered by a party as a result of the other party’s late performance of a contractual obligation.

Vertrekpremie

severance payment

A severance payment is a financial compensation paid by an employer to an employee upon termination of the employment relationship, often as compensation for the loss of the position.

Verwatering

Dilution

Dilution is the reduction of the relative shareholding interest, voting rights or profit rights of existing shareholders through the issuance of new shares.

Verweer

Defense

Defense is responding to a claim or accusation in legal proceedings by presenting counter-arguments.

Verweerschrift

Statement of Defence

A statement of defence is the written document in which the defendant in civil proceedings responds to the claimant’s claim and sets out its defence.

Verwerping

Rejection

Refusal of an inheritance by an heir

Verworven recht

Acquired right

An acquired right is a right that a person has obtained under applicable legislation and that, in principle, may not be withdrawn with retroactive effect by subsequent legislation.

Verzekering

Insurance

Agreement for payment upon uncertain event in exchange for premiums

Verzekeringsgeneeskunde

Insurance medicine

Medical specialty for assessing incapacity for work

Verzekeringsovereenkomst

Insurance contract

An insurance contract is an agreement in which the insurer undertakes to make payments in exchange for premium payments.

Verzekeringsplicht

Insurance obligation

Legal requirement to take out certain insurance policies

Verzending

Dispatch

Sending of documents or goods, often decisive for deadlines

Verzet

Opposition

Opposition is the legal remedy by which a party against whom a default judgment has been rendered challenges the judgment in order to present a defence.

Verzet (faillissement)

Opposition (bankruptcy)

Legal remedy against a default bankruptcy declaration

Verzetdagvaarding

Opposition Summons

An opposition summons is a summons by which a defendant institutes opposition against a default judgment. This reopens the proceedings so that a defense may still be presented.

Verzetprocedure

Opposition proceedings

An opposition procedure is the statutory remedy available to a defendant to challenge a default judgment by means of an opposition summons.

Verzoekschrift

Petition

A petition is a formal written document by which a party requests a court or an administrative body to render a specific decision.

Verzoening

Reconciliation

Reconciliation is restoring the relationship between parties after a conflict, often through mediation.

Verzuim

Default

Default is the situation in which a debtor fails to perform an obligation, usually after service of a notice of default.

Verzuimbegeleiding

Absence management

Measures to reduce sick leave and promote reintegration

Vestigingsfase

Establishment phase

Period during which a business is founded

Veto

A veto is the right of a party to block a proposal or decision, often stipulated in an agreement or the articles of association.

Vexatoir beslag

Vexatious attachment

Vexatious attachment is an attachment levied with the intent to hinder or harm the debtor, in the absence of any reasonable interest in obtaining satisfaction.

Vi coactus

Compelled by force.

Vi coactus means ‘under duress’ or ‘compelled by force’. It refers to a legal act performed under physical or psychological coercion, which may impair its validity.

Vice versa

Vice versa is a Latin expression meaning "conversely" or "the other way around". In legal texts, it indicates that a rule or obligation likewise applies in the reverse situation.

Vijandige overname

Hostile takeover

A hostile takeover is an attempt by a company to acquire another company without the consent of the management board or the supervisory board of the target company.

Vis maior

force majeure

Vis major, also known as force majeure, is an unforeseen event beyond the control of a party that renders performance of an obligation impossible.

Visum

Visa

A visa is an official authorization to enter, stay in, or transit through a country.

Voeging

Joinder

Joinder is the voluntary accession of a third party to pending civil proceedings in order to protect its interests.

Volenti non fit iniuria

No injury is done to one who consents.

Volenti non fit iniuria is a Latin legal maxim providing that no wrong is done to a person who voluntarily and with informed consent agrees to an act that would otherwise be regarded as unlawful.

Volmacht

Power of Attorney

A power of attorney is an authorization whereby the principal grants another the authority to perform legal acts on his behalf.

Voogd

Guardian

A guardian is a court-appointed person who exercises authority over a minor whose parents are unable to do so.

Voogdij

Guardianship

Authority over a minor by a non-parent

Voorarrest

Pre-trial detention

Deprivation of liberty of suspect before trial

Voordeelstoerekening

Set-off of advantages

Set-off of advantages means that benefits the victim gained from the damage-causing event are deducted from the compensation.

Voorgeleiden

Arraignment

Bringing a suspect before the examining magistrate

Voorkeursrecht

Right of first refusal

A right of first refusal is a right under which the beneficiary is afforded the first opportunity to purchase an asset if the owner decides to sell.

Voorlopig getuigenverhoor

Provisional examination of witnesses

A preliminary examination of witnesses is a procedure whereby, at the request of a party, witnesses may be heard by the court prior to the main proceedings in order to gather or secure evidence.

Voorlopig gezag

Provisional custody

Provisional custody is a temporary measure in which the court provisionally assigns authority over a minor.

Voorlopige hechtenis

Pre-trial detention

Pre-trial detention is the deprivation of liberty of a suspect pending the hearing of their criminal case.

Voorlopige surseance

Provisional moratorium

Temporary court-ordered suspension of payment obligations

Voorrang EU-recht

Primacy of EU law

Primacy of EU law means that European law takes precedence over national law of member states in case of conflict.

Voortgezette handeling

Continued act

A continued act is a series of criminal offences considered as one whole due to their interconnection.

Voorwaardelijke ontbinding arbeidsovereenkomst

Conditional dissolution of the employment contract

The conditional dissolution of an employment contract is a dissolution ordered by the subdistrict court judge that takes effect only if one or more of the conditions imposed have been fulfilled.

Voorwaardelijke straf

Suspended sentence

Sentence not executed unless conditions are violated

Voorwaardelijke verbintenis

Conditional obligation

A conditional obligation is an obligation that arises or is extinguished only upon the occurrence of a future uncertain event.

Voorzitter

Chairman

Person who presides over a meeting or hearing

Vormerkung

priority notice

A Vormerkung is a provisional entry in the German Grundbuch that grants priority to a future claim.

Vragenrecht

Right of interpellation

Right to question the board or government

Vrije nieuwsgaring

Freedom of newsgathering

Freedom of news gathering is the right of journalists to collect information and produce news without unjustified interference from the government or third parties.

Vrije sector

Private rental sector

Rental properties with rent above the liberalization threshold

Vrijheidsbenemende maatregel

Custodial measure

A custodial measure is a court-imposed measure in which someone is deprived of liberty, such as involuntary commitment.

Vrijspraak

Acquittal

Acquittal is the court's judgment that it has not been proven that the accused committed the charged offence.

Vrijstelling mededinging

Competition exemption

A competition exemption permits certain agreements that would normally be prohibited under competition law.

Vrijwaring

Indemnification

Indemnification is a contractual obligation whereby one party indemnifies the other against claims, damages or costs arising from certain facts or acts. The indemnifying party compensates the other party for any third-party claims or its own losses.

Vrijwaringsbeding

Indemnification clause

An indemnification clause is a contractual provision obligating one party to compensate the other for certain claims or losses.

Vrijwillige verschijning

Voluntary appearance

Voluntary appearance is appearing before a court on one's own initiative without a summons having been issued.

Vruchtgebruik

Usufruct

Usufruct is the real right to use property and to enjoy the fruits thereof, without acquiring ownership. The usufructuary holds the right of enjoyment, while bare ownership vests in another.

Vuistpand

Possessory pledge

A possessory pledge is a pledge whereby the pledged movable property is physically delivered to the pledgee, who thereby obtains possession.