In the spring issue 2012 of The Xpat Journal, Arthur de Groot, partner with GMW advocaten, has written an article about education called "How a poet educates a lawyer". One of the key features of the Dutch educational system (guaranteed under Article 23 of the Constitution, and later also Article 2 of the First Protocol of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms) is freedom of education; the freedom to found schools (freedom of establishment), and the freedom to organise the teaching in schools (freedom of organisation of teaching) and to determine the principles on which these are based (freedom of conviction). In simple terms, this translates into the right of citizens to found schools and to provide teaching based on ideological, religious or educational beliefs such as Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Steiner, Montessori, Dalton, Freinet or Jena Plan based schools. As a result, today both publicly and privately run schools enjoy an equality of status. At present, there are nearly twice as many privately run as publicly run schools in the Netherlands.

The freedom to organise teaching does not mean that private schools are fully free to determine which subjects they teach or the way in which they are taught. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science sets compulsory quality standards, monitoring their implementation by regular inspections.

For more information read the article.

On Wednesday April 25 the annual spinning marathon took place at the MCH Westeinde Hospital. GMW participants Christiaan Mensink, Fraukje Panis, Helen van Otterloo, Koen Vermeulen, Christian Malipaard and Peter Kloër joined ADO The Hague football players and famous locals for a fanatic three hour long charity spinning session. An amount of € 24.204,99 was raised. The money is intended to let MCH cancer patients participate in the special exercise program to prevent fatigue and improve their physical condition.

The spinning marathon was part of the week of oncology which was held from 23 to 27 April in the Medisch Centrum Haaglanden MCH.

Laura Zuydgeest and Fraukje Panis, both Attorneys-at-Law at GMW Advocaten, participate as Judge in the international rounds of The Telders International Law Moot Court Competition this week.  

The Telders International Law Moot Court Competition is considered as the most prestigious and most important Moot Court Competition in Europe. Annually, teams from over 40 universities compete in the national rounds, with the successfully teams going on to represent their countries in the international rounds held at the Peace Palace in The Hague. Each year student-teams are presented with a case involving a fictitious dispute between two States. This dispute is put before the International Court of Justice. It is up to the student-teams to defend the two States to the best of their ability. Each student-team has to represent the States substantively both in writing and through pleadings before the Moot Court. GMW Advocaten has good faith in the fair verdicts of our Laura Zuydgeest and Fraukje Panis in their ancillary position as a Judge.

Spread the word! GMW Advocaten launched her brand new Legal Expat Desk website today. The website is meant to be an information portal, a hub facilitating quick access to legal information that is relevant to expats living in The Netherlands. Current issues and changes in Dutch and EU legislation are reflected in brief articles, written by a dedicated team of Attorneys-at-Law and preferred third parties.

The Legal Expat Desk is an initiative of GMW Advocaten, a full service law firm that offers a unique mix of legal services and has extensive experience and expertise in handling legal matters for internationals. Working with professionals and making use of an extensive network of experts, the Legal Expat Desk team is also available to advise and instruct internationals, expatriates and foreign entrepreneurs in the Netherlands and abroad.

Bookmark LED; for clarity - right from the source. Please, have a look at Legal Expat Desk.

Follow LED and GMW on Twitter: Twitter LED en Twitter GMW Advocaten  

Follow and like LED and GMW on Facebook: Facebook GMW Advocaten en Facebook LED.

Follow GMW on Linkedin: GMW LinkedIn.

Fraukje Panis, Attorney-at-Law at GMW Advocaten will act as a Judge in the first International Moot Court competition for high schools in February of this year. The Justice Resource Center (JRC) Inc., in partnership with the Municipality of The Hague, and in conjunction with the International Bar Association (IBA-England), has developed the event.

Starting June next Marjet van Yperen-Groenleer will lecture in an ancillary position participants in Post Academic Education at Leiden University. She will teach courses in cooperation with Law Professor Veerle van den Eeckhout (Antwerpen University, Leiden University). Van den Eeckhout will specifically bring up the new Book 10 of the Dutch Civil Code, which became effective January 1. Marjet van Yperen-Groenleer will instruct other new legislation regarding International Family Law. She will use practical points of view and discuss problems that often occur in International divorce cases. The courses will furthermore focus on the The Hague Child Protecting Alliance 1996 and new Alimony Regulation. GMW Advocaten is very proud Marjet van Yperen-Groenleer will use her knowledge and practical expertise in another way by teaching in PAO-education.

Are inheritances protected from a divorce? That is the subject of an article in the winter edition of ACCESS magazine.

Under Dutch labour law, an indefinite contract can only be terminated following the prior approval of a sub-district court or the so-called UWV Werkbedrijf. Pursuant to the BBA (Extraordinary Labour Relations Decree), the employer must therefore file for a permission to dismiss the employee, or request the sub-district court to terminate the employment agreement.

In the latest issue of the Xpat Journal, Godelijn Boonman, partner with GMW Advocaten, shows that this decree has been subject to different interpretations throughout the years, constantly increasing the protection of the expat employee.

For more information read her article: Further Protection of Foreign Employees Against Unfair Dismissal.

In the autumn edition of the ACCESS-magazine, Godelijn Boonman, partner and employment law specialist of GMW Advocaten, gives steps to keep a healthy work environment. Both for the employer, who has a legal duty of care, and for the employee who has the responsibility to address and discuss any negative behaviour with his or her employer or trustee. Only with their combined efforts, can a toxic work floor be prevented.

Click here for the article in the ACCESS magazine.

The Feel at Home in The Hague Fair, organized by TheHagueOnLine.com, is the single biggest expat event of the greater The Hague area, bringing together the NGOs, organisations, clubs, associations, communities and service providers that inspire and serve the roughly 60.000 expats living and working in this area. This year, over 150 stand-holders will provide information in English about their activities, covering a spectrum ranging  from health and wellness services, business opportunities and asset management to international education, sport and careers...and all that lays in between. 
On the day, 18.9.2011, between 11.00 - 17.00, GMW Advocaten is offering free legal advice, in designated rooms located on the Fair premises.
GMW Advocaten has been a participant to the Fair since 2007.

To book your 30-minute time slot, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Initiated by the vFAS (an association of lawyers specialised in personal and family law), law firms throughout The Netherlands open their doors to give free advice. Building on last year's success, GMW Advocaten will participate again. On 15 September until 8 p.m., you are welcome to visit our offices for a free 30-minute consultation with Antoine de Werd, Susan Meijler or Marjet van Yperen-Groenleer. These family lawyers and vFAS-mediators will be pleased to answer all your divorce related questions without any obligation.

For an appointment or further information, please contact Bianca Beekhuizen through This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 070 3114064.

In the latest issue of the Acces magazine, Antoine de Werd, partner and head of the section family law of GMW Advocaten, elaborates on the different legal dispute resolutions in The Netherlands. Interesting fact is that the differences tend to revolve around the role of the lawyer.

Click here for the article in the ACCESS magazine.

In the latest issue of the Xpat Journal, Marieke Morshuis and Carla van Waes, both inheritance law experts at GMW Advocaten, shed some light on the obscure situation when an expat passes away while abroad. Although international treaties provide some unifying principles, things are not as clear cut as one would hope. General criteria of applicability of Dutch inheritance law are given, however, both Marieke and Carla emphasize that 'the devil is in the details'. Marieke: 'nationality of the deceased, children, the existence of a (foreign) will, residence and (overseas) assets are of great influence on the outcome.

Click here for the interview.

To celebrate the 100th International Women's Day, Suzy Ogé, director of the Women’s Business Initiative International organised a dinner for the 5th time, bringing together 150 women (and men for that matter) from as much as 30 different countries. On this occasion, Godelijn Boonman, partner and employment law specialist at GMW Advocaten, received the 'entrepreneurial award'. She was honoured as an outstanding role model for professional women and for her commitment to the international community.

Click here for more.

You don’t have to be a Dutch citizen to be affected by it. In the latest issue of the Xpat Journal, you will find an article by two of GMW’s family law specialists, Susan Meijler and Carla van Waes.
They focus on several family law aspects that often come as a surprise to the many expats in The Netherlands. Unfortunately, internationals often don’t realize huge differences exist between the national laws of different countries and the (financial) consequences thereof. Both Susan and Carla are quite sure that many (legal) disputes could have been avoided if only the spouses were properly informed about Dutch family law. 
For further information on these issues or any family law issue for that matter, please contact Susan Meijler or Carla van Waes.

It is imporant to find out about Dutch inheritance law. The settlement of an estate can be a highly sensitive issue and has implications that go beyond the emotional pain and loss involved. Even more so for internationals who have moved to The Netherlands. Although it is easy to put off, it is advisable to find out what will happen if the worst comes to the worst and you pass away.
If you have a will, make sure your will is not in violation of Dutch law and have it screened by one of our lawyers. If you don’t  have a valid will, be aware that your property (the estate) must be shared out according to – most probably - Dutch intestacy rules rather than your wishes or the law of your home country. Who will be appointed heirs? Does it matter whether you are married in community of property or whether you have prenuptials? What are the fiscal implications?

We deal with these issues on a daily basis. For an advice (first half hour is free), please contact Marieke Morshuis (head of the section inheritance law at GMW Advocaten) or call 070 3615048.

'The Toxic Boss and Bullying in the Workplace'; it happens all too often!

During this seminar Mr. Paul Engelsman (Managing Director, Peopleart),  Dr. Marie Thompson (Head of Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Webster University) and Godelijn Boonman (GMW Advocaten) dealt with this issue from different perspectives. They addressed prevention, psychological effects and legal aspects.

The Dutch legislator has made it the employer's responsibility to create a healthy work environment and eradication of degrading behaviour. This duty of care entails the responsibility to prevent damage to the employees  -  including damage caused by (sexual) harassment, aggression, violence and bullying. Case Law shows that breach of duty of care may lead to the employer’s liability for material and immaterial damages and high compensation during termination proceedings, even if the employee resigned!

For the outline of Godelijn's speech including tips for both the employer and the employee, please click here.

A relatively new and succesful way of achieving  a divorce settlement that meets the specific needs of both spouses and their children is collaborative divorce. It has the advantages of mediation and litigation. Both spouses, each represented by their own lawyer, agree to resolve conflicts by employing cooperative techniques rather than adversarial strategies and litigation. Antoine de Werd is a member of the 'Association Collaborative Divorce Holland'.

An interview with Antoine de Werd en Marjet Groenleer with Lawyer Monthly on Dutch matrimonial property regime and issues of competence and applicable law in international divorce cases. Click here for the interview.

One of the less obvious effects of globalisation is the growing number of international marriages world wide. To find out more about the matrimonial property regime and issues of competence and applicable law in divorce cases in The Netherlands, Lawyer Monthly had an interview with international family law experts Antoine de Werd and Marjet Groenleer from GMW Advocaten.

Their experience: divorcing expats are often stunned by the consequences of the regime of community of property. Click here.