Procedures
What to actually do, in order
Each procedure sets out who may file, the deadline that ends your right to act, every document you must produce, the realistic timeline and cost, and the specific pitfalls that cause cases to fail on technicalities.
- NetherlandsLitigationbeginner
Bring a money claim at the subdistrict court (kantonrechter)
Recover an unpaid debt or resolve an employment or tenancy dispute before the kantonrechter, the division of the district court where you may act without a lawyer. It hears civil claims up to EUR 25,000 and all employment and tenancy cases regardless of value.
7 steps Roughly 6 weeks to several months, depending on whether the defendant defends Court registration fee (griffierecht) scaled to the claim and the claimant type; reduced rates for low incomes - NetherlandsEmploymentintermediate
Dismiss an employee lawfully in the Netherlands
Dutch law does not allow an employer to dismiss at will. Depending on the reason, permission must be sought from the UWV (economic grounds or long-term illness) or the subdistrict court (personal or performance grounds), and a statutory transition payment is normally owed.
6 steps UWV route around 4-6 weeks; court route roughly 1-3 months No UWV fee; court fee for the kanton route; transition payment owed to the employee