hoofdprocedure
Hoofdprocedure is a term used in Dutch civil procedure to refer to the main, substantive phase of a civil action. It denotes the central part of the litigation in which the court decides on the merits of the dispute between the parties. The hoofdprocedure typically begins after the summons and the filing of the claim and proceeds through the exchange of pleadings, the production of evidence, and any hearings. During this main phase, parties present their arguments, submit documents, call witnesses or experts, and the court assesses the evidence and legal arguments to issue a final judgment on the claims.
The hoofdprocedure is distinct from provisional or interim procedures, such as kort geding or provisional measures,
In Dutch legal practice, the term helps to clarify the stage of proceedings at which the court