Legal Glossary
Explanation of commonly used legal terms
Z
22 termsZW-uitkering
Sickness benefit
A sickness benefit is a payment under the Sickness Benefits Act for employees who are ill and have no employer to continue wage payments.
ZZP (zelfstandige zonder personeel)
freelancer (self-employed without staff)
An entrepreneur without staff working for their own account and risk, without a relationship of authority with the client.
Zaak
Case
A case is a legal proceeding or dispute brought before a judge.
Zaakschade
Property damage
Property damage is the material damage inflicted on a thing or property, such as the damaging or destruction of goods.
Zaaksvervanging
Real subrogation
Real subrogation is the legal consequence whereby a new asset takes the place of an original asset, with automatic transfer of the rights attaching to it.
Zaaksvorming
Specification
Specification is the process by which a new movable thing comes into existence from raw materials or components.
Zaakwaarneming
Negotiorum gestio
Zaakwaarneming is the voluntary management of another’s interests without having been instructed or authorised to do so.
Zekerheid
Security
Security is a guarantee obtained by a creditor for the fulfillment of a claim, such as a mortgage, pledge, or surety.
Zekerheidsrecht
Security right
A security right is a proprietary right that enables a creditor to seek recourse against a specific asset of the debtor in the event of default.
Ziektekostenverzekering
Medical Expenses Insurance
A medical expenses insurance is an insurance contract under which the insurer reimburses the insured for the costs of medical care and treatments.
Ziekteverzuim
Sickness absence
Sickness absence is the absence of an employee from work due to illness. It gives rise to specific rights and obligations for the employer and the employee under Dutch employment law.
Ziektewet
Sickness Benefits Act
The Sickness Benefits Act regulates the right to benefits for employees who are ill and not entitled to continued wage payment by their employer.
Zittende magistratuur
Sitting judiciary
The sitting magistracy comprises the judges who actively preside in the Dutch district courts and courts of appeal. They constitute the independent judiciary, as opposed to the standing magistracy.
Zitting
Hearing
A hearing is a session of a court or other body where a case is heard in the presence of the parties.
Zorgplicht
Duty of care
The duty of care is the statutory obligation to exercise due care when acting or omitting to act so as to prevent harm to others.
Zorgvuldigheid
Due care
Due care is the obligation to take the interests of others into account when acting. Violation can lead to liability.
Zuivere aanvaarding
Pure acceptance
Pure acceptance is the unconditional acceptance of an estate by an heir, whereby the heir assumes both the assets and all the liabilities of the deceased in their entirety.
Zuivering
Purging
Purging is the legal process whereby, following an executorial sale of immovable property, the registered mortgages and other limited rights are struck off, enabling the purchaser to acquire the property free of encumbrances.
Zustermaatschappij
sister company
A sister company is a company that belongs to the same group as another company but is not directly subordinate to the same parent company.
Zwangerschapsverlof
Maternity leave
Pregnancy leave is the paid leave that a female employee takes around the time of childbirth pursuant to the Work and Care Act.
Zware mishandeling
Aggravated assault
Aggravated assault is the intentional infliction of serious bodily harm on another person. It is a crime with heavier penalties than simple assault.
Zwarte lijst
Blacklist
A blacklist is a register in which persons or organizations deemed undesirable or problematic are recorded, for example in connection with appointments, the granting of credit or cooperation.
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