kantonrechters

Kantonrechters, or cantonal judges, are judges who sit in the cantonal divisions of the Dutch district court system. Their work covers routine civil and criminal matters that fall under lower thresholds and require relatively quick adjudication, in contrast to cases heard by higher courts.

In civil matters, kantonrechters typically handle disputes with limited monetary value, such as small claims, tenancy and housing issues, consumer disputes, and other straightforward civil claims. In criminal matters, they deal with minor offenses, such as petty theft, minor assaults, traffic violations, and similar offenses, as well as certain procedural or administrative offenses. They may also handle certain administrative-law tasks and fines. For more complex or high-value cases, the matter is escalated to higher divisions within the district court or to the Court of Appeal.

Kantonrechters act as first-instance judges for these cases. Their decisions can usually be appealed to the Court of Appeal (Gerechtshof) within a prescribed period, providing a second review of the judgment. They typically work within the cantonal division of a district court, often with clerks and support staff, employing a more streamlined and informal procedure than in higher courts.

Appointment and training of kantonrechters are managed by the judiciary. They are professional judges who have specialized training for cantonal work and are expected to handle a high volume of straightforward cases efficiently. The institution of kantonrechters aims to provide accessible justice for everyday civil and criminal matters while preserving judicial resources for more complex litigation.