afspraakstelling

Afspraakstelling is a Dutch term used primarily in civil and administrative law to denote the act of fixing a date for a specific procedural event or for handling a case. The word combines afspraak (appointment or timetable) and stelling (establishment or setting). In practice, a court, government authority, or the parties themselves may issue an order or agreement to fix a date for a hearing, a mediation session, a submission deadline, or other procedural steps. The primary purpose is to ensure an orderly progression of proceedings and to give parties certainty about timing.

In civil procedure, a judge or registrar may specify a date for an oral hearing or for the submission of documents and other deadlines. The date can be set at the request of a party or on the court’s own initiative, and may be adjusted for reasons such as complexity or scheduling constraints. If the scheduled date cannot be met, requests for postponement or rescheduling are considered, within the bounds of applicable time limits.

In administrative law and dispute resolution, afspraakstelling helps coordinate procedures and can facilitate mediation by providing fixed time windows to engage with the process. It is generally distinct from substantive decisions, as it concerns timing rather than the outcome of the case.

The enforceability of a set date depends on the jurisdiction and the procedural rules governing the case, as well as any granted extensions. Afspraakstelling emphasizes procedural clarity and predictability in Dutch legal practice.