Rechtsbaseren

Rechtsbaseren is a Dutch verb meaning to ground or justify something in legal grounds or in rights. The term combines recht (law/right) with baseren (to base). It is used in legal and policy contexts to describe the act of justifying decisions, measures, or arguments by referring to applicable laws, regulations, or rights, rather than to political considerations alone.

Usage and nuance: It often appears in formal writing, policy documents, court briefs, and political commentary. A decision is rechtsgebaseerd when its legality, proportionality, and respect for rights can be demonstrated through statutes, case law, or constitutional principles. The noun form for the basis is rechtsbasis or more commonly rechtsgrondslag or juridische basis.

Examples: Het kabinet moet het besluit rechtsbaseren op de wettelijke grondslag. De rechtsbasis van de regelgeving is het handvest van de Europese Unie en de nationale constitutie. In practice, writers may also say juridisch gebaseerd or op basis van de wet, rather than using the verb form.

Relation and note: The term is specialized and may be perceived as formal or technical. In everyday language, speakers may prefer phrases such as juridisch gebaseerd or op basis van de wet rather than rechtsbaseren. It is most commonly found in legal, administrative, and policy texts.