The Hoge Raad der Nederlanden (High Council of the Netherlands) is the Supreme Court of the Netherlands, situated in The Hague.

Composition

Entrance of Huguetan House, the main building of the Hoge Raad at the Lange Voorhout (The Hague). The courtrooms are located in Kazernestraat, behind Huguetan House.

The Hoge Raad comprises a president, at most 7 vice-presidents, at most 30 raadsheren (English: Council Lords), and at most 15 raadsheren of extraordinary service.

Authority

Appeals against the decisions of the Rechtbank (district court) are first heard by the Gerechtshof (higher court). It is possible to appeal a decision of the Gerechtshof to the Hoge Raad, but only on the grounds that the Gerechtshof applied the law incorrectly or that the ruling of the Gerechtshof lacks sufficient reasoning. Furthermore, the jurisdiction of the Hoge Raad is limited primarily to civil, criminal and tax-related cases. Special courts have jurisdiction to hear other appeal cases. For example, administrative cases can be appealed to the Administrative Jurisdiction Division of the Council of State, while social security cases are heard by the Central Appeals Tribunal.

The Hoge Raad also acts as Supreme Court in appeals against decisions of the Common Court of Appeals of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.

de:Hoher Rat der Niederlande nl:Hoge Raad der Nederlanden