Netherlands Commercial Court coming soon?

Article
NL Law

On 8 March 2018, the bill concerning the Netherlands Commercial Court was passed by the House of Representatives. However, the court cannot start until the Senate has also approved the bill.

The chairman of the Council for the Judiciary, Frits Bakker, has stated that the Council is pleased that the bill has been passed by the House of Representatives and that as soon as the legislation is passed by the Senate, the Netherlands Commercial Court can start hearing cases. He also said that in practical terms everything is ready for the start of the new court  but that legislation is crucial because it provides a legal basis to litigate in English. The chairman's full reaction is available on the website of the Council for the Judiciary (in Dutch only).

The intended new international trade chamber of the Amsterdam District Court (NCC) and the Amsterdam Court of Appeal (NCCA) will offer litigants the opportunity to litigate in English and will be able to give judgments in English. The NCC and NCCA will charge an increased court fee.

Parties can only start legal proceedings at the NCC if they chose so explicitly. Both the NCC and NCCA will focus primarily on major international commercial disputes and the same NCC process rules will apply.

For more information about the background and plans for the NCC see the previous blog posts 'Towards the Netherlands Commercial Court (NCC)' and 'The Netherlands Commercial Court bill in consultation'.