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Discover expert legal insights and updates of Law & More’s blog archive. Stay informed on Dutch and international law topics and advice.

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Class Action Netherlands: A Guide to Collective Claims Post-WAMCA

A major legal shift has turned the Netherlands into a prime destination for large-scale claims, especially those seeking financial damages. The game-changer was the Act on the Resolution of Mass Damages in a Collective Action (WAMCA), introduced on 1 January 2020. This law, for the first time, allowed representative groups to sue for monetary damages […]

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ESG Clauses in Contracts: How to Draft Them Effectively for the Dutch Market

ESG clauses have become essential tools for companies doing business in the Netherlands. These contract provisions help ensure that business partners follow environmental, social, and governance standards throughout their working relationship. Dutch companies now face growing pressure from investors, customers, and regulators to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices. To draft effective

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Surrogacy in the Netherlands and Europe: Key Legal Considerations Explained

Surrogacy in the Netherlands operates under specific legal conditions that many people find confusing. In the Netherlands, surrogacy is legal only when arranged privately between people who know each other, and commercial surrogacy promotion is prohibited by law. You can reimburse a surrogate mother for her expenses, but you cannot advertise publicly or use websites

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Startups and Investors: How to Protect Intellectual Property in the Netherlands

Starting a business in the Netherlands means your ideas and innovations need proper protection. Without securing your intellectual property rights, competitors can copy your work, investors may hesitate to fund your venture, and your competitive advantage could disappear. The Dutch legal system offers strong protections, but you need to understand how to use them correctly.

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5 Benefits of Good Governance Every Leader Should Know

5 Benefits of Good Governance Every Leader Should Know

Running a company means you face pressure from every direction. Regulators demand compliance. Investors want transparency. Employees need clear leadership. Customers expect ethical behavior. Without a solid governance structure, you risk legal disputes, operational chaos, and damage to your reputation. Many leaders know governance matters but struggle to see the concrete advantages it brings to

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GDPR and AI in the Netherlands: Handling Personal Data in Algorithms

Artificial intelligence systems in the Netherlands must follow strict data protection rules when handling personal information. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires organisations using AI algorithms to protect personal data through specific technical measures, transparency requirements, and ongoing risk monitoring. A recent survey found that 44% of Dutch companies use algorithms that process personal

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ESG Regulation in 2026: What Dutch Companies Need to Prepare For

ESG regulations are moving from optional guidelines to legal requirements in 2026. Dutch companies face new reporting obligations, stricter disclosure rules, and expanded sustainability standards that will affect how they operate and communicate their environmental and social impact. The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) becomes enforceable in 2026, requiring many Dutch businesses to provide detailed

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Summary Dismissal in the Netherlands: Key Employer Pitfalls and Compliance

Summary dismissal, known as ‘ontslag op staande voet’ in Dutch, allows employers to terminate an employee’s contract immediately without notice or severance pay. Dutch courts apply extremely strict standards when evaluating whether such dismissals are legally valid. Many employers make costly mistakes that turn a seemingly justified dismissal into an expensive legal liability. Most summary

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AI and Automation in Dutch Employment Law: Impacts, Risks, and Compliance

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how businesses operate in the Netherlands. Employers are increasingly using AI tools to handle recruitment, performance reviews, and workforce management. While these technologies offer clear benefits like improved efficiency and faster decision-making, they also create new legal challenges that employers must navigate carefully. The European AI Regulation, which began taking

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Money Laundering vs Unusual Transactions: Legal Differences Under Dutch Law

Dutch law treats money laundering and unusual transactions as separate legal concepts, even though many people confuse them. Money laundering is a criminal offence that involves hiding the source of illegally obtained money. Unusual transactions, on the other hand, are activities that financial institutions and other entities must report to authorities because they might indicate

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Scale-up Exit: Legal Pitfalls When Selling Your Brainport Startup

The Brainport region is booming. With heavyweights like ASML leading the charge and a vibrant ecosystem of AI, semiconductor, and medtech scale-ups following close behind, Eindhoven has firmly established itself as the Silicon Valley of Europe. This explosive growth hasn’t gone unnoticed. International investors and strategic buyers are increasingly looking to the Netherlands to acquire

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Partner Permit: How Does the Partner of a Highly Skilled Migrant Get a Work Permit?

Is your tech company bringing a highly skilled migrant to the Netherlands? Their partner often wants to come along. In this guide, we explain how the partner permit works, what the benefits are, and how you as an employer can help. Introduction When Rajesh, an AI specialist from India, received an offer from a tech

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Employment Contracts for International Workers: The Complete Guide for Tech Companies

Is your tech company bringing international workers to the Netherlands? A well-drafted employment contract is crucial. In this guide, we cover all legal aspects you need to consider. Introduction The Brainport ecosystem in Eindhoven is attracting more and more international talent. Software developers from India, data scientists from Brazil, project managers from the United States

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Hosting a Digital Shareholders’ Meeting in the Netherlands

A digital shareholders' meeting is a general assembly held entirely online, enabling shareholders to participate, ask questions, and cast votes electronically from any location. This modern approach to corporate governance is now a legal reality in the Netherlands, fundamentally reshaping how companies manage their shareholder relations and decision-making processes. Navigating the New Era of Dutch

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The CBR Administrative Procedure After an Alcohol Test: Your Rights and Legal Remedies

An alcohol test showing you were above the legal limit in the Netherlands often triggers an administrative procedure with the Central Bureau for Driver Testing (CBR). This CBR procedure is completely separate from any criminal prosecution and can result in measures such as mandatory courses, fitness investigations, or even the revocation of your driver’s license.

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Shareholder Disputes in the Netherlands: A Practical Roadmap

When you face a shareholder conflict in the Netherlands, knowing your legal options can mean the difference between a quick resolution and years of costly litigation. Shareholder disputes often start with minor disagreements but can quickly escalate to threaten your company’s stability and value. Whether you’re dealing with a deadlocked board, a minority shareholder blocking

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Influencer Marketing in the Netherlands: Key Legal Pitfalls and Compliance Guide

Influencer marketing in the Netherlands has grown rapidly, but many brands and content creators don’t realise they could be breaking the law. The Dutch Media Act, which took effect in July 2022, brought strict rules for influencers and the companies that work with them. If you’re running campaigns in the Netherlands or partnering with Dutch

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Deepfakes and Dutch Criminal Law: What Does the Law Say About Fake Videos?

Deepfake videos have become a growing concern in the Netherlands, with celebrities and ordinary people falling victim to manipulated content that can damage reputations and violate privacy. You might wonder whether Dutch law can protect you if someone creates or shares a fake video of your face or voice. The question is especially urgent as

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Religious Discrimination in the Workplace: Legal Framework and Compensation in the Netherlands

Introduction Imagine this: an employee is dismissed during their probationary period, not because of their performance, but because they do not shake hands with members of the opposite sex for religious reasons. Or an employee who has performed well for years but is suddenly dismissed after she starts praying during breaks. These are not hypothetical

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Remote Work and Employment Contracts in the Netherlands: Legal Obligations in 2025

Remote work has become a standard part of employment in the Netherlands, but it brings specific legal requirements that both employers and employees must understand. As of 2025, Dutch law does not grant employees an automatic right to work from home, but workers who have been employed for at least six months at companies with

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Online Reviews in the Netherlands: What Is Allowed and When Is It Defamation?

Online reviews shape how customers make buying decisions in the Netherlands. When you run a business or leave reviews yourself, you need to understand what the law allows and what crosses the line into defamation. The rules are clear but not always simple. Businesses in the Netherlands must follow strict rules about posting and removing

Online Reviews in the Netherlands: What Is Allowed and When Is It Defamation? Read More »

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Abuse of Enforcement Powers: Limits on Attachment and Execution

A Practical Guide for Debtors and Creditors . Introduction Enforcement instruments such as attachment and forced execution are powerful tools that enable creditors to enforce their civil claims. A creditor who has obtained a judgment in their favor can attach assets of their debtor and potentially have them sold to satisfy their claim. These possibilities

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Amendment clauses in general terms and conditions: when is a unilateral amendment unfair?

Can a company simply amend its general terms and conditions? The short answer: not always. Amendment clauses in general terms and conditions are legally complex and may be unfair or even void, especially in consumer contracts. In June 2025, the Amsterdam Court of Appeal ruled once again that unilateral changes without valid reason are inadmissible.

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Franchising in the Netherlands: The Legal Framework in Practice

The Netherlands has become an attractive market for franchise businesses. Operating successfully requires understanding the country’s specific legal requirements. Since 1 January 2021, the Dutch Franchise Act has established mandatory rules that govern how franchisors and franchisees must work together. These rules fundamentally shape every aspect of franchise operations in the country. Whether you’re considering

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Product Liability in the Netherlands: What Can You Claim and Expect?

When a defective product causes harm in the Netherlands, the law provides clear pathways for claiming compensation. If you suffer damage from a faulty product, you can claim compensation for personal injury, property damage, and related losses, with the manufacturer or importer typically bearing responsibility for amounts over €500. Understanding these rights is essential whether

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IND Procedures: How to Build a Strong Immigration Case in the Netherlands

Moving to the Netherlands requires navigating the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), the government agency that processes all residence permit applications, work authorisations, and citizenship requests. The IND operates under strict legal frameworks and follows standardised procedures that can seem complex at first. Understanding how to present your case properly makes the difference between approval

IND Procedures: How to Build a Strong Immigration Case in the Netherlands Read More »

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Holidays with children after divorce: Do you need your ex’s permission?

The summer holidays are approaching and you have plans to take the children abroad. The tickets have been selected, the accommodation has been reviewed, but one crucial question remains: does your ex-partner need to give permission for this trip? And exactly which documents do you need to take with you to avoid problems at customs?

Holidays with children after divorce: Do you need your ex’s permission? Read More »

Modern house with for sale sign.

Buying a new house during divorce: is it allowed and what are the consequences?

Introduction Buying a new house during a divorce is possible in the Netherlands under certain conditions. Whether you can buy a house independently and what the financial consequences are depends entirely on your matrimonial property regime and the moment at which you file for divorce with the court. This article is intended for individuals getting

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