With strong legal tradition, the Netherlands becomes world’s legal battlefield
From conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East to salt mining in Brazil — courts in the Netherlands have become Ground Zero in a global legal battlefield with farreaching implications.
A strong legal tradition, home to many multinationals and international organisations, and global ease of reach: the country has several trump cards making it the preferred legal arbiter of choice.
Three months into 2024, the city of The Hague’s two most influential international courts have already cast headlinegrabbing rulings on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the spiralling conflict in Israel and the Gaza Strip.
In early March, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for two highranking Russian commanders, while in January the UN’s top International Court of Justice (ICJ) handed down emergency measures telling Israel to boost aid in Gaza and to protect its population.
At the same time, a local civil court handed down a landmark judgement halting the supply of F35 fighter jet parts from the Netherlands to Israel.
Victims of devastating salt mining in the Brazilian city of Maceio are suing petrochemical giant Braskem for compensation before a Rotterdam court.
An Amsterdam court in February quashed an appeal by Russia in a record $50billion case involving a compensation claim by former shareholders of the dismantled oil giant Yukos.
Recent years have also seen Dutch courts hand down rulings in major climate cases including one won by NGO group Milieudefensie in 2021.
In that case, the court ordered petrochemical giant Shell to curtail greenhouse emissions in what is considered the first major climate change ruling against a corporation.
The country also has a highly skilled legal workforce and a strong belief in upholding the law.
The Netherlands also hosted several international courts and tribunals as well as agencies such as the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, and Europol, “embedding these organisations in the Dutch legal landscape,” legal experts said.
Three months into 2024, The Hague’s two courts have cast headlinegrabbing rulings on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, IsraelGaza conflict