Consultation

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

George Janssen Advocatuur

Article 1 – Definitions

In these general terms and conditions, the following definitions apply:

Lawyer: George Janssen, trading under the name George Janssen Advocatuur, a sole proprietorship established in Rotterdam, registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce Trade Register under number 99724308. The Lawyer is registered with the Netherlands Bar (Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten) and is subject to supervision by the Dean (Deken) of the Bar in the Rotterdam district. 

Client: any natural person or legal entity that instructs the Lawyer to perform services. 

Engagement: the contract for services (opdracht) as referred to in Section 7:400 of the Dutch Civil Code (Burgerlijk Wetboek).

Services: all legal services performed or to be performed by the Lawyer and any related activities.


Article 2 – Applicability
  • These general terms and conditions apply to all engagements, legal relationships and services of Lawyer Janssen.
  • The applicability of any general terms and conditions of the Client is expressly rejected.
  • All engagements from clients are accepted and performed exclusively by George Janssen Advocatuur. Sections 7:404 and 7:407 of the Dutch Civil Code (Burgerlijk Wetboek) are expressly excluded.
  • Any variation to these terms and conditions shall be of no effect unless expressly confirmed in writing by the Lawyer.

Article 3 – Formation and Performance of the Engagement
  • An engagement shall come into existence upon written confirmation or upon commencement of the Services, whichever occurs first.
  • All engagements are accepted and performed exclusively by the Lawyer.
  • The Services are provided on the basis of a best endeavours obligation and do not constitute an obligation to achieve any particular result.
  • The Lawyer acts in accordance with:
    • The Dutch Lawyers Act (Advocatenwet)
    • The Regulation on the Legal Profession (Verordening op de advocatuur, “Voda”)
    • The Further Regulation on the Legal Profession (Regeling op de advocatuur, “Roda”)
    • The applicable professional rules of conduct


*The Lawyer always reserves the right to decline any engagement without giving reasons.


Article 4 – Obligations of the Client
  • The Client shall provide the Lawyer with all information, data and documents that are relevant to the performance of the engagement, in full, in a timely manner and truthfully.
  • The Client shall be responsible for the accuracy and completeness of any information provided.
  • The Client shall not give instructions that are contrary to applicable law, the truth, public order or the professional rules applicable to lawyers.
  • If the Client fails to comply with its obligations, the Lawyer may suspend the Services and/or terminate the engagement.
  • The Client shall bear the risk of any loss arising from the provision of incorrect, incomplete or untimely information.

Article 5 – Dutch Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act (Wwft)
  • Based on applicable laws and regulations, Lawyer Janssen is required to conduct client due diligence.
  • The Client is obliged to cooperate with this investigation and to provide the requested information and documentation.
  • If the Client refuses to cooperate, George Janssen is entitled not to accept the engagement or to terminate it.
  • Lawyer Janssen is legally obliged to report unusual transactions and is bound by a duty to report as well as confidentiality obligations.

Article 6 – Fees and Costs
  • The Lawyer’s fee is calculated on the basis of an hourly rate, unless agreed otherwise in writing.
  • The agreed hourly rate may be adjusted annually.
  • In addition to the fee, the Client is liable for:
    1. Disbursements, including court fees, bailiff’s costs, costs of third parties, expert fees, and travel and accommodation costs;
    2. Value added tax (VAT);
    3. Other office expenses, where applicable.
    4. The Lawyer is entitled to request an advance payment before services are commenced or continued.

Article 7 – Invoicing and Payment
  • Invoices are sent periodically or after completion of the services.
  • Payment shall be made within 14 days of the invoice date, without any right of set off, deduction or suspension.
  • If the Client fails to pay on time, the Client shall be in default by operation of law (without further notice) and statutory Dutch interest shall accrue.
  • All (out-of-court) collection costs are for the Client’s account.
  • The Lawyer may suspend or cease the Services with immediate effect for so long as the Client remains in default.

Article 8 – Liability
  • Subject always to the provisions of mandatory law, the Lawyer’s liability shall be limited to the amount paid out under the professional indemnity insurance, increased by the applicable excess (deductible).
  • The professional liability insurance is taken out with Insify with a coverage of € 1,000,000 per claim.
  • If no insurance payout is made, liability is limited to the fees invoiced, with a maximum of € 10,000.
  • The Lawyer shall not be liable for any indirect or consequential loss, save in the event of wilful misconduct (bewuste roekeloosheid) or gross negligence (grove schuld).
  • A condition for any right to damages to arise is that the Client reports the damage to Lawyer Janssen in writing as soon as possible, but in any event within a reasonable time after discovery.
  • Any claim shall become time-barred one year after the date on which the Client became, or ought reasonably to have become, aware of the loss and the Lawyer’s potential liability.

Article 9 – Engagement of Third Parties
  • Lawyer Janssen is entitled to engage third parties in the performance of the engagement.
  • Lawyer Janssen is not liable for failures of such third parties, unless there is an attributable shortcoming in selecting those third parties by Lawyer Janssen.

Article 10 – Confidentiality and Communication
  • Communication may take place by electronic means.
  • The Lawyer takes appropriate security measures in accordance with the office handbook.
  • Liability for damage caused by electronic communication is limited, except in cases of intent or gross negligence.
  • The Client consents to electronic communication and acknowledges that security risks may be associated with it.

Article 11 – Third-Party Funds
  • In principle, the firm does not receive any third-party funds.
  • If a situation arises in which third-party funds are received or are to be received, such funds will, in accordance with applicable regulations, be paid on to the entitled party as soon as possible or be managed via a third-party funds foundation (stichting derdengelden).
  • Under no circumstances will third-party funds be received or held in the firm’s office account.

Article 12 – Termination of the Engagement
  • Both the Client and Lawyer Janssen may terminate the engagement at any time, subject to the applicable professional rules.
  • Upon termination, the Client remains obliged to pay for all services already performed and costs incurred.
  • Lawyer Janssen may terminate the engagement with immediate effect in the event of a breakdown of trust, conflict of interest, non-payment, or unlawful instructions.

Article 13 – Complaints Procedure
  • Lawyer Janssen has an internal complaints procedure.
  • Complaints must be submitted in writing, with reasons, within a reasonable period of time.
  • If a complaint is not resolved by mutual consultation, the Client may contact the Dean (Deken) of the Bar in the Rotterdam district or the competent court.

Article 14 – Governing Law and Disputes
  • All legal relations between the Lawyer and the Client shall be governed exclusively by Dutch law.
  • Disputes shall be submitted to the competent court in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Article 15 – Availability and Provision of the General Terms and Conditions
  • These general terms and conditions are provided to the Client prior to or upon entering into the engagement agreement.
  • If providing them is not reasonably possible, these general terms and conditions can also be consulted via https://janssenlaw.nl/ and will be sent to the Client free of charge upon first request.
  • The general terms and conditions may also have been filed with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, if and insofar as this has been done.

Article 16 – Personal Data (GDPR)
  • Lawyer Janssen processes personal data in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
  • Personal data is processed exclusively for the performance of the engagement, compliance with legal obligations, and the legitimate interests of Lawyer Janssen.
  • Further information is included in the firm’s privacy statement, available via the website. 


v.1.0. April 2026