The kantonrechter is unusually relevant to everyday life because rent, employment and consumer-purchase disputes belong there, and you do not normally need an advocaat to appear.
What the kantonrechter handles
- Money claims up to and including €25,000.
- Employment disputes, regardless of the amount.
- Rental disputes, regardless of the amount.
- Consumer-purchase and consumer-credit disputes, regardless of the amount.
Is going to court easy?
It is more accessible than many newcomers expect, but not frictionless. An advocaat is optional, yet a normal claim can require a legally correct summons served by a bailiff (deurwaarder), court fees (griffierecht), evidence and deadlines. Losing can also result in a contribution toward the other side’s procedural costs. A short consultation before filing can therefore be valuable even when you represent yourself.
Urgent cases
Where there is genuine urgency, a kort geding can provide a rapid provisional decision. Rechtspraak has dedicated kantonrechter procedures for urgent rental and other qualifying disputes. The exact procedure depends on the claim.
Before filing
- Put the problem and requested solution in writing.
- Keep the contract, invoices, messages, photographs and proof of payment.
- Check whether a specialist route such as the Huurcommissie should be used first.
- Check limitation and procedural deadlines.
- Calculate court, bailiff and advice costs against what is at stake.