## Brussels II-ter Regulation in Zoetermeer
The **Brussels II-ter Regulation** is an EU regulation that provides guidelines for jurisdiction, recognition, and enforcement of family law judgments, such as in divorces and parental responsibility, across the entire EU. For residents of Zoetermeer, this regulation ensures a consistent approach in international family disputes, with a focus on preventing child abduction and safeguarding children's rights, particularly relevant if you are dealing with partners from other EU countries.
### What does the Brussels II-ter Regulation mean for Zoetermeer?
Officially known as Regulation (EU) 2019/1111, this regulation updates the previous Brussels IIa version and has been in force since August 1, 2022. In Zoetermeer, as part of the Netherlands, this framework assists citizens in cross-border family matters, such as a divorce involving an EU partner. The rules apply in all EU countries except Denmark and prevent 'forum shopping,' where parties seek a favorable court. For local advice, you can contact the Zoetermeer Legal Aid Office for free support.
The core focus is on child protection: strict measures against moving children across borders to evade legal proceedings. It builds on treaties like the 1980 Hague Convention on Child Abduction but is tailored to EU needs, which is crucial for Zoetermeer families with international ties.
### Legal basis in the Netherlands and Zoetermeer
As directly applicable EU legislation, the **Brussels II-ter Regulation** operates seamlessly in the Netherlands. Key elements include:
- **Articles 1-3**: Define the scope, covering marital matters (divorce, separation) and parental issues (custody, residence, contact).
- **Articles 5-18**: Establish jurisdiction, emphasizing the child's habitual residence.
- **Articles 19-39**: Govern recognition and enforcement of decisions, with a streamlined approach without an exequatur procedure.
- **Articles 40-55**: Address child abduction, including rules for prompt return and the child's right to be heard.
In the Netherlands, this integrates through the *Law on Private International Law in Family Matters*, administered by the Zoetermeer District Court and the Child Protection Board. For specific help with international divorces, check our article on [international divorce](/internationale-echtscheiding), or contact the Municipality of Zoetermeer for referrals.
### Scope for Zoetermeer residents
This regulation targets EU-internal international matters, including:
- Divorces or dissolutions where parties reside in different EU regions, such as a Zoetermeer resident with a partner in another country.
- Disputes over residence or authority of minors under 18.
- Cross-border child abduction, for example, if a parent moves the child to another EU country without consent.
It does not cover inheritance or maintenance (see Brussels I or Rome III for those). For non-EU situations, bilateral agreements or the Hague Conventions apply, and the Zoetermeer Legal Aid Office can provide advice.
### Jurisdiction in family law for Zoetermeer
The competent court depends on the **habitual residence** of the child (Article 8). If the child lives in Zoetermeer, the Zoetermeer District Court has jurisdiction, regardless of parental locations. Exceptions include:
- **Prorogation** (Article 12): Parties can jointly designate another court.
- **Residual jurisdiction** (Article 18): If no other options exist, the court of the parties' nationality can rule.
This system prevents manipulation through child relocation. In practice, a Zoetermeer court can decide on a child who recently resided in the area, even if they now live elsewhere in the EU.
### Recognition and enforcement in practice
Judgments from EU countries are directly recognized (Article 40), without additional steps. Enforcement requires a simple request, such as through a bailiff in Zoetermeer. Improvements in the ter version include:
- **Accelerated procedures**: Child abduction cases handled within 6 weeks.
- **Child's right to be heard** (Article 28): Children from age 8 (or earlier if appropriate) must be heard, in person or digitally.
A comparison table with the old Brussels IIa:
| Aspect | Brussels IIa (until 2022) | Brussels II-ter (from 2022) |
|-------------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| Jurisdiction | Based on parental domicile | Priority on child's residence |
| Recognition | Exequatur required | Automatic, without exequatur |
| Child abduction | Return in reasonable time | Strict 6-week deadline |
| Child's right | Not always mandatory | Mandatory from relevant age |
### Practical examples for Zoetermeer
Consider a couple from Zoetermeer and a neighboring EU country going through a divorce. If the children live in Zoetermeer, the Zoetermeer District Court handles the parental arrangements. The judgment is automatically enforceable in the other country, for example, via local youth authorities.
Or: a parent moves a child from Zoetermeer to another EU country to force a better outcome. The Zoetermeer District Court can order the return, enforceable in the receiving country. In 2022, the Netherlands recorded around 150 such cross-border incidents, with local impacts in regions like Zoetermeer.
Veelgestelde vragen
Wat is mijn retourrecht?
Bij online aankopen heb je 14 dagen retourrecht zonder opgaaf van reden, tenzij de wettelijke uitzonderingen gelden.
Hoe lang geldt de wettelijke garantie?
Goederen moeten minimaal 2 jaar meewerken. Defecten die binnen 6 maanden ontstaan worden verondersteld al aanwezig te zijn.
Kan ik rente eisen over schulden?
Ja, je kunt wettelijke rente eisen (momenteel ongeveer 8% per jaar) over het openstaande bedrag.
Wat kan ik doen tegen oneerlijke handelspraktijken?
Je kunt klacht indienen bij de consumentenbond, de overheid of naar de rechter gaan.
Wat is een kredietovereenkomst?
Een kredietovereenkomst regelt hoe je geld leent, wat de rente is, en hoe je dit terugbetaalt.