The Brussels I-bis Regulation (EU 1215/2012) complements Rome II by regulating which court is competent and how judgments on personal injury in Zoetermeer are recognized cross-border. Rome II selects the applicable law, Brussels I the jurisdiction. In Zoetermeer, with its busy roads such as the N44 and Stadionplein, such claims often arise after traffic accidents.
Competent Court
Article 4: domicile of the defendant in Zoetermeer. Article 7(2): place where the damage occurs, such as an accident near the Zoetermeer centre. Victims often choose the place of the tort for favourable Dutch law under Rome II.
Recognition and Enforcement
Judgments are automatically recognized in EU countries (except ex parte decisions). No exequatur procedure since 2015. Challenge possible in case of breach of public policy.
Practice: Zoetermeer judgment on a German accident (Rome II-Dutch law) is enforced in Germany without retrial. Local insurers, active around the Zoetermeer-NS station, must pay. The District Court of The Hague handles many of these cases for Zoetermeer residents.
For non-EU countries, national law applies, which leads to complications. Combination with the Hague Convention on forum selection strengthens the position of Zoetermeer victims in international claims.