The Netherlands Commercial Court (NCC), which started in February 2019, had little to do in its first year. The Amsterdam English Speaking Trade Court ruled in two cases in 2019. There are two other unresolved disputes, Mr.
NCC was created due to Amsterdam’s growing role as a business gateway to Europe. International trade disputes can be litigated in both first and second degree (NCC District Court and NCC Court of Appeal). Plans to establish the International Trade Court expected an influx of 25 cases in the first year. Over time, the average number of cases per year is expected to reach 125, of which 100 are first-instance cases and 25 are appeals.
A spokeswoman tells the master as an explanation that shortly before the start he was not certain whether the NCC would come. The Senate approved legislation enabling case law only in English on December 11, 2018, after which the law came into effect on January 1, 2019. A month later, NCC was officially launched. “Until December 11, companies could not expect to choose the NCC forum in their contracts.” Moreover, the concerned parties must first contractually agree that the NCC will deal with the issue.
According to the spokesperson, there is a lot of interest in the NCC from lawyers and corporate attorneys. We hope to receive more cases soon. “
The NCC is currently working on an English translation of the Civil Procedure Code, which should be completed within this year. Now there is only a summary available for English speaking parties.
Photo: Hollandse Hoogte / Berlinda van Dam
