Coronavirus: The new normal legally speaking

So much has changed in our day-to-day lives since “corona” became part of our vocabulary that it’s easy to believe that everything is different. So has this crisis fundamentally changed your legal rights in the Netherlands? The experts from GMW lawyers summarise what you need to know.

Family

The Dutch courts have continued to function and are still accepting applications for divorce, the division of assets, disputes related to the children, child- and spousal maintenance, etc. The result of the crisis may be that the previously established contribution can no longer be paid. The crisis has not automatically changed existing maintenance obligations or agreements. Changes must still be negotiated and agreed. If the parties cannot reach a settlement, the court can rule.

Housing

Evictions were postponed during the crisis (except for extreme cases) and tenants and landlords enjoyed a temporary option to extend a fixed-term lease without it becoming an indefinite lease (now expired). Overall, the corona crisis has not changed landlord, tenant or owner rights and obligations.

Business

The emergency bridging funding (NOW 1 and NOW 2) helped businesses pay wage costs and avoid reorganisation. From 1 October, the terms of the subsidy under NOW 3 will change, and companies would do well to reconsider their future viability. There are several legal options to avoid bankruptcy, from refinancing to reorganisation and creditor agreements.

Immigration

The IND has continued to process applications and renewals, and has shown more understanding for internationals whose residence is affected by travel restrictions–however the terms of residence are unchanged.

Work

The employer’s duty of care now includes corona-rules, which leads to (many) new workplace policies and processes. Some of these must be reflected in the employment conditions and contracts.

Also in 2020, changes to employment law (Wet arbeidsmarkt in balans or WAB) meant a ninth ground for dismissal, transition allowance from the first day, and an increased maximum of three consecutive fixed-term contracts.

Pension

The Dutch system for supplemental employer-provided pension plans will be fundamentally reformed in the coming years. Legislation, including consequences for the employment relationship, will be presented before the end of this year. Due to the WAB, payroll and on-call employees now enjoy equalised terms of employment. From 1 January 2021, this will further include an adequate pension.

We can work it out

If you need legal advice, the team at GMW lawyers is here to help you: in person, by phone at 070 361 5048, via Skype, or through this website

You can also read more about Job loss resulting from Covid-19, how the virus affects your work, Reorganisation and redundancy in the Netherlands, also more on getting help during coronavirus.