Document background
The Lawsuit Letter (dagvaarding) is a fundamental document in Dutch civil litigation, serving as the formal initiation of court proceedings. It is used when alternative dispute resolution methods have been exhausted or are inappropriate, and formal legal action is necessary. The document must comply with strict requirements under Dutch civil procedure law, including specific formatting, content requirements, and service procedures. A Lawsuit Letter typically contains detailed factual background, legal grounds, specific claims or demands, and references to supporting evidence. It must be served by a bailiff and gives the defendant formal notice of the legal proceedings and their rights and obligations. The document is particularly important as it sets the framework for the entire legal proceeding and may affect the scope of what can be claimed or argued later in the case.
