Legal problems in the Netherlands do not automatically mean hiring an expensive lawyer. The right route may be free information, the Juridisch Loket, a union or insurer, the Huurcommissie, an objection to a government decision, mediation, or the kantonrechter. The key is identifying the type of dispute before paying for help.

Start with the route, not with a lawyer

  • General legal question: check official information and the Juridisch Loket.
  • Rent: landlord first where appropriate, then Huurcommissie, municipality or kantonrechter depending on the issue.
  • Employment: employer, CAO/vakbond or legal adviser; many employment disputes fall under the kantonrechter.
  • Consumer dispute: complain to the seller, use ConsuWijzer and any relevant dispute body; consumer-purchase cases can go to the kantonrechter.
  • Government decision: read the legal-remedies notice. A formal objection is commonly due within six weeks and is free to submit.

Juridisch Loket and affordable help

The Juridisch Loket publishes free legal information. Its current service also offers personal legal advice for people with a low income. If you cannot afford an advocaat or mediator, you may qualify for gesubsidieerde rechtsbijstand (a toevoeging), subject to income, assets and other conditions. The government normally pays part of the cost and you usually pay an income-dependent contribution.

For people who do not qualify for subsidised help, it can still be sensible to buy only the help needed: for example an initial consultation, document review or letter rather than full representation. Fees vary by provider, so this guide does not claim a universal “cheap appointment” price.

What used to be the kantongerecht?

The old separate kantongerechten were absorbed into the district courts (rechtbanken). The kantonrechter remains. It handles money claims up to and including €25,000 and all disputes about employment, rent, consumer purchases and consumer credit regardless of the amount. An advocaat is not compulsory before the kantonrechter.

Legal & Rights across BorderlessAdvice

Legal & Rights is a cross-site section. Housing guides should link to tenant remedies; employment guides to CAOs, unions and employment procedures; shopping guides to consumer rights; and government/admin guides to objection and appeal. The aim is to show both the rule and the realistic route for enforcing it.