More than 80% of current Dutch legislation is based on European law. One of the basic principles of European law is that the activities of European private individuals and companies should be restricted as little as possible, whereby the free movement of persons, goods, services and capital is the guiding principle.
When does European law play a part?
Situations are conceivable in all areas of our economic
society in which freedom of movement can play a part. For instance,
your Dutch undertaking, operating in an international sector, needs
a storage warehouse for its products in a nearby Member State. That
nearby Member State seems to stipulate stricter requirements for
your warehouse than for warehouses of equivalent companies in its
own country. Another situation is that in an European call for
tenders for a building project in Italy your tender is
rejected because the Italian municipality refuses to accept your
employees' Dutch certificates. Or the European Commission decides
on a health protection measure that disproportionately affects your
industry sector.
Liability of Member States and European
institutions
Member States are liable for violations of European Community law.
In some cases other Member States, the European Commission, private
individuals and companies can claim damages from the Court of
Justice of the European Union in the event of such violation. The
institutions of the European Community are also liable for
violations of European law. In such a case proceedings may also be
instituted before the Court of Justice of the European Union.
What can we offer you?
Our specialist team in Brussels is involved in situations regarding
European law on a daily basis. We can:
