Brussels II-ter Regulation in Den Haag
The Brussels II-ter Regulation is an EU regulation that provides guidelines for jurisdiction, recognition, and enforcement of family law judgments, such as in divorces and parental responsibilities, across the entire EU. For residents of Den Haag with international family ties, this regulation ensures a consistent approach to cross-border disputes, with a particular focus on protecting children's rights and preventing child abduction.
What does the Brussels II-ter Regulation entail for Den Haag?
Officially known as Regulation (EU) 2019/1111, this Brussels II-ter Regulation updates the previous Brussels IIa version and has been in force since August 1, 2022. It determines which courts in EU countries have jurisdiction over marital and parental matters. For residents of Den Haag, this is crucial in procedures involving partners from other EU countries, such as a divorce where one party lives abroad. The rules apply in all EU countries except Denmark and prevent 'forum shopping', where one seeks a favorable court.
Children come first: Strict measures prohibit moving children across borders to evade judgments. This aligns with the 1980 Hague Convention on Child Abduction but is tailored to EU situations. In Den Haag, you can turn to the District Court of Den Haag for such matters; for free advice, call the Legal Aid Desk Den Haag at 0900-8020.
Legal Basis in the Netherlands and Den Haag
As directly applicable EU law, the Brussels II-ter Regulation is fully effective in the Netherlands. Relevant articles include:
- Articles 1-3: Outline the scope, such as divorces, legal separations, and parental issues (custody, residence, and contact).
- Articles 5-18: Establish jurisdiction, emphasizing the habitual residence of the child.
- Articles 19-39: Govern recognition and enforcement of decisions, with a simplified process without the exequatur procedure.
- Articles 40-55: Address child abduction, including rules for prompt return and the child's right to be heard.
In the Netherlands, this is incorporated into the Private International Law Act on Family Law, and in Den Haag, it falls under the District Court of Den Haag and the Child Protection Board. Check our article on international divorce in Den Haag for more information.
Scope of Application for Residents of Den Haag
This regulation is relevant for international EU matters, including:
- Divorces or dissolution of partnerships where parties reside in different EU countries, such as a resident of Den Haag with a partner in Rotterdam or elsewhere in the EU.
- Disputes over the residence or custody of children under 18.
- Cross-border child abduction, for example, if a parent from Den Haag takes the child to another EU country without agreement.
It does not cover inheritance or maintenance (for which Brussels I or Rome III apply). For non-EU countries, bilateral agreements or the Hague Conventions are used. The Municipality of Den Haag offers support through civil affairs for family administration.
Jurisdiction in Family Law for Den Haag
Jurisdiction depends on the habitual residence of the child (Article 8). If the child resides in Den Haag, the District Court of Den Haag has jurisdiction, regardless of where the parents live. Exceptions include:
- Prorogation (Article 12): Parties can jointly designate another court.
- Residual jurisdiction (Article 18): If no other options apply, the court of the parties' nationality can issue judgments.
This prevents manipulation through child relocation. In practice, a judge in Den Haag can decide on a child who recently resided in the city, even if the child is now in a neighboring country.
Recognition and Enforcement in the Region
Judgments from EU countries are directly recognized (Article 40), without additional steps. For enforcement in the Netherlands, submit a simple request to the bailiff or District Court of Den Haag. Key updates in the ter version:
- Accelerated procedures: Child abduction cases must be resolved within 6 weeks.
- Child's right to be heard (Article 28): Children from age 8 (or earlier if appropriate) must be heard, in person or digitally.
A comparison table with Brussels IIa:
| Aspect | Brussels IIa (until 2022) | Brussels II-ter (from 2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Based on parents' domicile | Prioritizes child's residence |
| Recognition | Exequatur required | Automatic, no exequatur |
| Child abduction | Return within a reasonable timeframe | Strict deadline (6 weeks) |
| Child's right to be heard | Not mandatory | Mandatory from a certain age |
Practical Examples for Den Haag
Consider a couple from Den Haag with Belgian roots going through a divorce. The mother stays with the children in the city, while the father returns to Belgium. The Brussels II-ter Regulation makes the District Court of Den Haag competent for parental arrangements. The judgment on residence is directly enforceable in Belgium through the local youth court there.
Or: A parent abducts a child from Den Haag to Spain for a better outcome. The Den Haag court can order immediate return, which is executed in Spain. In 2022, the Netherlands recorded around 150 such cross-border cases, with Den Haag as a hub due to its international character.
Veelgestelde vragen
Wat is mijn retourrecht?
Bij online aankopen heb je 14 dagen retourrecht zonder opgaaf van reden, tenzij de wettelijke uitzonderingen gelden.
Hoe lang geldt de wettelijke garantie?
Goederen moeten minimaal 2 jaar meewerken. Defecten die binnen 6 maanden ontstaan worden verondersteld al aanwezig te zijn.
Kan ik rente eisen over schulden?
Ja, je kunt wettelijke rente eisen (momenteel ongeveer 8% per jaar) over het openstaande bedrag.
Wat kan ik doen tegen oneerlijke handelspraktijken?
Je kunt klacht indienen bij de consumentenbond, de overheid of naar de rechter gaan.
Wat is een kredietovereenkomst?
Een kredietovereenkomst regelt hoe je geld leent, wat de rente is, en hoe je dit terugbetaalt.