Mediation and Other Forms of ADR

Short Reads - If a person buys a car from a car dealer and fails to pay the purchase price on the agreed date, that person has to pay not only the purchase price but also statutory interest (Clause 6:119 DCC), unless otherwise agreed. If a car dealer buys the same car from an importer and fails to pay the purchase price on the agreed date, that car dealer has to pay commercial interest, which is a much higher rate, instead of the normal statutory interest (Clause 6:119a DCC).

Short Reads - On 12 December, a draft legislative proposal ("proposal") was published containing a special regulation on franchise agreements. Until now, there have been no special regulations regarding franchise agreements. The Explanatory Memorandum mentions that franchisees believe that franchisors have a more dominant position within their relationship.

Short Reads - On 31 May 2018 Dutch Minister Dekker published a draft bill for consultation that primarily aims to modernise and simplify the law of evidence within Dutch civil procedure. 

Short Reads - You think you have made clear arrangements about the exclusivity of your supplier's services. The supplier has agreed to service your company only. You have even agreed unequivocal penalty clauses under which the supplier pays a penalty for every breach and another one for every day the breach continues. Unfortunately, the supplier breaches the exclusivity clause, forcing you to claim the full amount of penalties due. And then the supplier refuses to pay them because he finds them unreasonable. Now what?  

Short Reads - Under Dutch law, a debtor can remedy a default by offering to perform its obligations at a later date. Such an offer, however, has to include an offer to pay for damages and costs incurred as a result of the default (art. 6:86 DCC). If the creditor refuses to accept an offer that meets such criteria, the creditor will be in default.

Short Reads - To coincide with the opening of the Netherlands Commercial Court on 1 January 2019, Stibbe has launched a new website to provide you with the latest developments on this new international court. 

Speaking slot - On 20 April 2018, Robbert Jan van der Weijden will speak at the Business and Law Research Centre Symposium on innovative private law. Various speakers will discuss the consequences of technological developments for Dutch commercial law and Robbert Jan will focus on innovative property law. 

Short Reads - On 26 January 2018, the Supreme Court delivered a judgment (ECLI:NL:HR:2018:108) about the interruption of the limitation period for a claim for damages. The key element in this case was whether the acts and statements of an insurer and a loss adjuster qualified as an acknowledgement of liability and, if so, whether this acknowledgement could be attributed to the liable party