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Can Your Employer Read Your WhatsApp Messages?

Can my employer read my WhatsApp messages? It’s a question that comes up a lot, and in almost all cases under Dutch and EU law, the answer is a firm no. Your employer cannot legally read your private WhatsApp messages, even if they are on a company-provided phone. Your fundamental right to privacy doesn't stop

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Person submitting passport for visa application.

Your Guide to Dutch Visas: Navigating Your Move to the Netherlands

The Netherlands, with its picturesque canals, vibrant cities, and innovative spirit, is a top destination for travelers, students, and professionals from around the globe. Whether you’re planning a short visit to see the tulip fields or intending to build a new life here, understanding the visa system is your first crucial step. This guide will

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Dutch Restructuring Scene

The WHOA Scheme Explained: Dutch Restructuring

Financial distress can be a daunting challenge for any company. Navigating the complexities of debt and creditor negotiations often feels like an uphill battle. Fortunately, for businesses in the Netherlands, a powerful tool exists to facilitate recovery and prevent bankruptcy: the WHOA scheme. This legislation provides a flexible and effective framework for companies to restructure

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Essential Clauses in Commercial Contracts

Entering the Dutch market is an exciting venture full of opportunity. However, a poorly understood commercial contract can quickly turn that opportunity into a costly liability. Whether you are a foreign company expanding into the Netherlands or a local business, the fine print in your agreements can make or break your success. It’s not enough

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The Hidden Risks of SaaS Contracts: Who Owns Your Data?

Here’s a hard truth about many SaaS contracts: you might not actually own your data, even if you’re the one who created it. It’s a shocking thought. While you almost certainly retain rights to the raw information you put in, many standard agreements give the vendor surprisingly broad licences to use, aggregate, and even make

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Contractor Delivers Poor Work: What Are Your Rights? | Guide

When you hire a contractor, you expect a certain standard of quality. So, what happens when the work delivered is subpar? Under Dutch law, your primary right is to demand that the contractor fixes the shoddy work on their own dime. This is legally known as the right to rectification. Before you can take any

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Disclaimer on a wooden table

Crafting a Clear and Effective Legal Disclaimer

Think of a disclaimer as a legal signpost. It’s a formal statement you put up to clearly mark the boundaries of your legal responsibilities, essentially limiting your liability. It’s your proactive shield, spelling out your rights and obligations to protect your business from potential legal headaches down the line. Why a Disclaimer Is Your Digital

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What Is a Limited Partnership? Your Essential Guide

A limited partnership is a business structure that brings together two different kinds of partners: at least one general partner who runs the show and has unlimited liability, and one or more limited partners who put up the capital but whose liability is capped at their investment. This setup is perfect for attracting investors who

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What Is a Sole Proprietorship? Guide to Starting Your Business

So, what exactly is a sole proprietorship? In the simplest terms, it’s the most direct route to starting a business. It’s just you. You and your company are legally treated as one and the same, cutting out the complex paperwork that often comes with other business structures. This simplicity makes it an incredibly popular choice

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AI in practice: Who is liable for errors made by artificial intelligence?

1. Introduction: What is AI liability and why is it important? When artificial intelligence makes mistakes, various parties may be liable: AI developers, users, manufacturers or service providers. In this guide, you will learn who is liable when, which laws apply and how you can limit liability risks. Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a greater role

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Drafting General Terms and Conditions: Complete Guide for Entrepreneurs

1. Introduction: What is Drafting Terms and Conditions and Why is it Crucial? Drafting general terms and conditions is an essential step for any entrepreneur who wants to protect their business from legal risks.General terms and conditions are the standard agreements and rules for a company and its customers, which set out the mutual rights

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Group outside coffee shop entrance.

Coffeeshop Regulations in the Netherlands: What to Know

In the Netherlands, a coffeeshop is a licensed venue where adults can buy and often consume cannabis under a national toleration policy (gedoogbeleid). Cannabis remains illegal under the Opium Act, but authorities generally do not prosecute small-scale sales and possession when strict rules are followed. That means age checks (18+), ID verification, limits on amounts,

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What Is a General Partnership in the Netherlands

If you're looking to team up with one or more partners to start a business in the Netherlands, you've likely come across the Vennootschap onder Firma (VOF), or general partnership. This is a common business structure where you and your partners join forces, operating under a shared company name. Each partner brings something to the

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What is a Partnership? Your Guide to Dutch Business Structures

Under Dutch law, a partnership is what gives a collaborative venture its formal business structure. It’s essentially a legal agreement where two or more people decide to pool their skills, money, or other resources to run a business together, all with the shared goal of turning a profit. You can think of it as the

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Cannabis Cultivation & Criminal Law: What You Need to Know

Cannabis cultivation and criminal law, in simple terms, is about what counts as “growing” cannabis and when that activity becomes a criminal offense in the Netherlands. Cultivation covers the whole process: germinating seeds, tending plants, using grow equipment, and harvesting. While the Netherlands tolerates limited possession and regulated sales by licensed coffee shops under strict

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Settlement Agreement: Complete Guide for Employees

1. Introduction: What is a Settlement Agreement and Why is it Important A settlement agreement is a crucial agreement between employer and employee that regulates dismissal by mutual consent. You are not obliged to sign a settlement agreement; this only happens by mutual consent. In this guide, you will learn what a settlement agreement entails,

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Legal Demerger: A Complete Guide to Corporate Restructuring

1. Introduction: What is Legal Demerger and Why is it Important Legal division is a strategic restructuring tool that allows Dutch legal entities to divide their assets under a general title. In this guide, you will learn what legal division entails, the two main forms, and how to apply it effectively. In short, a legal

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Dutch Employment Termination Payment Explained

When an employment contract ends, the financial side of things can be a major source of stress. In the Netherlands, there's a specific safety net in place called the transitievergoeding, or transition payment. It’s a legally required severance payment designed to help employees bridge the gap between their old job and their next one. What

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Commercial Contract Solicitor: Netherlands Services & Fees

A commercial contract solicitor is the lawyer you trust to turn a business deal into a clear, enforceable agreement. They draft, review, and negotiate contracts, spot risks, and align terms with your commercial goals. In the Netherlands you’ll often hear “advocaat” or “commercial contract lawyer” — the job is the same: protect your position in

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