News item | 27-06-2023 | 4:25 pm
Minister for Legal Protection Franc Weerwind is taking various measures to strengthen access to justice. The minister allocates money to encourage the use of mediation, restorative justice and disputes committees. In addition, court fees are reduced. The announced measures complement existing initiatives to strengthen access to justice.
A dispute or legal problem can happen to anyone. Life events, such as breaking up a relationship, losing a job or a conflict with the employer, but also everyday activities, such as making purchases, often have a legal aspect. Usually dealing with that legal dimension does not cause any problems. When there is a legal problem or dispute, it is not possible for everyone to find a good solution. Minister Weerwind wants to change that.
Minister Weatherwind:
“Everyone should be able to solve a legal problem or dispute in an accessible, sustainable and appropriate way. And that is about so much more than going to court. A suitable solution can also be found with the help of a mediator, by making a payment arrangement or by submitting the dispute to a disputes committee. That is why I am taking measures to strengthen not only the process of going to court, but also the use of these options.”
Concrete measures
In order to strengthen access to justice, Minister Weerwind is taking additional measures on top of current initiatives. These measures are aimed at improving the availability of information, making (legal) advice and support more accessible and lowering the threshold for obtaining a decision from a neutral body, such as the court.
Information about solutions to common legal problems and disputes must be accessible, understandable and objective. That is why, for example, the website of the national government is being adjusted. In order to stimulate the use of mediation, mediation will be free of charge for the first two and a half hours from 1 March, in case of referral from the judiciary. This initial contribution will be valid for two years and, if it works well, will become structural. In addition, Minister Weerwind wants to increase the use of restorative justice, so that victims and suspects or convicted persons can more often discuss and rectify the consequences of a (possible) criminal offence. Minister Weerwind is investing an extra 1.2 million euros for this.
Another measure taken by Minister Weerwind is the reduction of court fees. These are costs that everyone who wants to take a case to court pays. For most cases, these rates will be reduced by approximately 13.5 percent compared to the price level. Citizens and companies can also submit their dispute to a disputes committee. This is an accessible way to resolve disputes. The Foundation for Disputes Committees for Consumer Affairs plays an important role in this. The subsidy to this organization will be structurally increased by 260,000 euros.
Approach
Minister Weerwind has consulted numerous parties, such as the judiciary, representatives of the legal professions and interest groups, to identify bottlenecks and identify possible measures, in addition to existing initiatives to strengthen access to justice. In addition, a survey was conducted among citizens and entrepreneurs who have had to deal with legal problems. Minister Weerwind indicates that the announced measures are a first start. In collaboration with the parties, we will continue to examine whether it is possible to further strengthen access to justice.