Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-7cvxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T16:15:36.742Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Dutch Supreme Court and Parliament: Political Decisionmaking Versus Nonpolitical Appointments

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2024

Peter J. Van Koppen
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The Hoge Raad der Nederlanden (Dutch Supreme Court), founded in 1838, has grown from an insignificant body to a politically important institution in Dutch society. Partisan politics, however, does not influence appointments of justices, although the formal procedure of appointments gives the lower house of Parliament ample opportunity to exercise such influence. This nonpolitical appointment to a highly politically active highest court is unique among highest courts in Western democracies. In this article, I examine the history of both the decisionmaking of the Court and the appointments of justices and suggest explanations for the disparity between the political role of the Court and the nonpolitical appointments. I also compare the Dutch exception to the practice of highest courts in other Western democracies, concluding that there is evidence that partisan political interference in appointments to the Dutch Supreme Court will grow in the future.

Type
Research Article
Information
Law & Society Review , Volume 24 , Issue 3 , 1990 , pp. 745 - 780
Copyright
Copyright © 1990 The Law and Society Association.

Footnotes

Part of the research for this study was done in cooperation with Jan ten Kate. The study was supported with the generous hospitality to the author from the Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIAS) at Wassenaar, The Netherlands. I thank Burton M. Atkins, Peter Klik, Shari Seidman Diamond, and two anonymous reviewers for their comments on earlier drafts.

References

References

ABRAHAM, Henry J. (1985) Justices and Presidents: A Political History of Appointments to the Supreme Court. 2d ed. New York: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
ALGRA, N. E. (1973) “De Hoge Raad der Nederlanden in de 19e Eeuw” (The Dutch Supreme Court in the 19th Century), 8 Spieghel Historiael 684.Google Scholar
ALKEMA, E. A. (1980) “Fundamental Human Rights and the Legal Order of The Netherlands,” in van Panhuys, H. F. (ed.), International Law in The Netherlands, Part III. Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands: Sijthoff.Google Scholar
ATIYAH, P., and R., SUMMERS (1987) Form and Substance in Anglo-American Law. Oxford: Clarendon.Google Scholar
BAAR, Carl (1988) “The Courts in Canada,” in Waltman, J. L. and Holland, K. M. (eds.), The Political Role of Law Courts in Modern Democracies. New York: St. Martins.Google Scholar
BLANKENBURG, Erhard (1988) “Klein maar Fijn: De Hoge Raad Vergeleken met het Bundesgerichtshof” (Small but Nice: The Dutch Supreme Court Compared to the Bundesgerichtshof), in Anonymous (ed.), De Plaats van de Hoge Raad in het Huidige Staatsbestel: De Veranderingen in de Rol van de Hoge Raad als Rechtsvormer. Zwolle, The Netherlands: Tjeenk Willink.Google Scholar
BOARD, Joseph B. (1988) “The Courts in Sweden,” in Waltman, J. L. and Holland, K. M. (eds.), The Political Role of Law Courts in Modern Democracies. New York: St. Martin's.Google Scholar
BREWER-CARIAS, Allan-Randolph (1989) Judicial Review in Comparative Law. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
BUYS, J. T. (1884) De Grondwet: Toelichting en Kritiek, Tweede Deel (The Constitution: Clarification and Critique, Second Part). Arnhem, The Netherlands: Gouda Quint.Google Scholar
CLITEUR, P. B. (1990) “Constitutionele Toetsing” (Constitutional Review), 65 Nederlands Juristenblad 150.Google Scholar
CLITEUR, P. B. (1989) “Argumenten Voor en Tegen Constitutionele Toetsing” (Arguments for and Against Constitutional Review), 64 Nederlands Juristenblad 1369.Google Scholar
CRAENEN, G. (1988) “Het Koninkrijk België” (The Kingdom of Belgium), in Prakke, L. and Kortmann, C. A. J. M. (eds.), Het Staatsrecht van de Landen der Europese Gemeenschappen. Deventer, The Netherlands: Kluwer.Google Scholar
CROMBAG, Hans F. M. (1983) Een Manier van Overleven: Psychologische Grondslagen van Moraal en Recht (A Way of Survival: The Psychological Basis of Morals and Law). Zwolle, The Netherlands: Tjeenk Willink.Google Scholar
CUMMINS, Richard J. (1986) “The General Principles of Law, Separation of Powers and Theories of Judicial Decision in France,” 35 International and Comparative Law Quarterly 595.Google Scholar
DE BOER, M. H., ROSENTHAL, BOSCH VAN, IN'T VELD, J., VERZIJL, J. H. W., CLEVERINGA, R. P., and R. D., KOLEWIJN (1945) De Hooge Raad: Antwoord aan Mr. N. C. M. A. van Den Dries (The Dutch Supreme Court: Answer to N. C. M. A. van den Dries JD). Amsterdam: Vrij Nederland.Google Scholar
DI FEDERICO, Giuseppe, and Carlo, GUARNIERI (1988) “The Courts in Italy,” in Waltman, J. L. and Holland, K. M. (eds.), The Political Role of Law Courts in Modern Democracies. New York: St. Martin's.Google Scholar
DOGAN, Mattei, and SCHEFFER–VAN DER VEEN, M. (1957–58) “Le Personnel Ministériel Hollandais” (The Dutch Ministers), 3 L'Année Sociologique 95.Google Scholar
DÖLLE, A. H. M., and J. W. M., ENGELS (1989) Constitutionele Rechtspraak (Constitutional Review). Groningen, The Netherlands: Wolters-Noordhoff.Google Scholar
DRION, H. (1988) “Algemene Beschouwingen” (General Observations), in De Hoge Raad der Nederlanden: 1838–1988, Een Portret. Zwolle, The Netherlands: Tjeenk Willink.Google Scholar
EDELMAN, M. (1987) “The Changing Role of the Israeli Supreme Court,” in Schmidhauser, J. R. (ed.), Comparative Judicial Systems: Challenging Frontiers in Conceptual and Empirical Analysis. London: Butterworths.Google Scholar
EEN ADVOCAAT BIJ DAT COLLEGIE (An Attorney to That Court) (1855) De Hooge Raad der Nederlanden in het Nieuwe Ontwerp van Wet op de Regterlijke Organisatie (The Dutch Supreme Court in the New Judicial Organization Act). 's-Gravenhage, The Netherlands: Belinfante.Google Scholar
FOCKEMA ANDREÆ, J. P. (1938) “De Methode van Interpretatie van het B. W. van 1838 tot Heden” (The Method of Interpretation of the Civil Code from 1838 until the Present), in Scholten, P. and Meijers, E. M. (eds.), Gedenkboek Burgerlijk Wetboek, 1838-1938. Zwolle, The Netherlands: Tjeenk Willink.Google Scholar
FOCKEMA ANDREÆ, J. P. (1904) Tien Jaren Rechtspraak van den Hoogen Raad: Bijdrage tot de Leer der Wetsuitlegging (Ten Years of Decision by the Dutch Supreme Court: Contribution to Jurisprudence). Unpublished diss., University of Leyden.Google Scholar
FOKKEMA, D. C. (1978) “Law of Obligations,” in Fokkema, D. C., Chorus, J. M. J., Hondius, E. H., and Lisser, E. Ch. (eds.), Introduction to Dutch Law for Foreign Lawyers. Deventer, The Netherlands: Kluwer.Google Scholar
FREUND, Paul A. (1988) “Appointment of Justices: Some Historical Perspectives,” 101 Harvard Law Review 1146.Google Scholar
GOEDHART, A. L. (1990) “Constitutionele Toetsing” (Constitutional Review), 65 Nederlands Juristenblad 150.Google Scholar
HAZEU, C. A. (1990) “Confrontatiemodel: Het Optreden van Minister Maij-Weggen van Verkeer verstaat zich slecht met de Politieke Besluitvorming in Nederland” (Model of Confrontation: The Behavior of Minister of Traffic Maij-Weggen Does not Comply with Political Decisionmaking in The Netherlands), 26(10) Intermediair 15.Google Scholar
HEEMSKERK, A. Z. N. J. (1881) De Praktijk van de Grondwet (The Constitution in Practice). Utrecht, The Netherlands: Beijers (2d Part).Google Scholar
HIRSCH BALLIN, E. M. H. (1988) “Onafhankelijke Rechtsvorming: Staatsrechtelijke Aantekeningen over de Plaats en Functie van de Hoge Raad in de Nederlandse Rechtorde” (Forming Law Independently: Constitutional Notes on Role and Function of the Dutch Supreme Court in the Dutch System of Law), in Anonymous (ed.), De Plaats van de Hoge Raad in het Huidige Staatsbestel: De Veranderingen in de Rol van de Hoge Raad als Rechtsvormer. Zwolle, The Netherlands: Tjeenk Willink.Google Scholar
HOLLAND, Kenneth M. (1988) “The Courts in the Federal Republic of Germany,” in Waltman, J. L. and Holland, K. M. (eds.), The Political Role of Law Courts in Modern Democracies. New York: St. Martin's.Google Scholar
HONDIUS, E. H. (1988) “De Hoge Raad in Rechtsvergelijkend Perspectief: Van Rechteenheid naar Rechtsvorming” (The Dutch Supreme Court in Comparative Perspective: From Unity of Law to Forming Law), in Anonymous (ed.), De Plaats van de Hoge Raad in het Huidige Staatsbestel: De Veranderingen in de Rol van de Hoge Raad als Rechtsvormer. Zwolle, The Netherlands: Tjeenk Willink.Google Scholar
HONDIUS, E. H. (1978) “Judicial Organization in The Netherlands,” in Fockema, D. C., Chorus, J. M. J., Hondius, E. H., and Lisser, E. Ch. (eds.), Introduction to Dutch Law for Foreign Lawyers. Deventer, The Netherlands: Kluwer.Google Scholar
ITOH, Hiroshi (1988) “The Courts in Japan,” in Waltman, J. L. and Holland, K. M. (eds.), The Political Role of Law Courts in Modern Democracies. New York: St. Martin's.Google Scholar
KAGAN, Robert A., INFELISE, Bobby D., and Robert R., DETLEFSEN (1984) “American State Supreme Court Justices, 1900–1970,” 1984 American Bar Foundation Research Journal 371.Google Scholar
KOEKKOEK, A. K. (1988) “Ierland” (Ireland), in Prakke, L. and Kortmann, C. A. J. M. (eds.), Het Staatsrecht van de Landen der Europese Gemeenschappen. 3d ed. Deventer, The Netherlands: Kluwer.Google Scholar
KOMMERS, Donald P. (1976) Judicial Politics in West Germany: A Study of the Federal Constitutional Court. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.Google Scholar
KOOPMANS, T. (1988) “De Hoge Raad en Buitenlandse Hoogste Gerechten” (The Dutch Supreme Court and Foreign High Courts), in Anonymous (ed.), De Hoge Raad der Nederlanden, 1838–1988: Een Portret. Zwolle, The Netherlands: Tjeenk Willink.Google Scholar
KOOPMANS, T. (1985) “Hogere Voorziening Naar Rechterlijk Goedvinden” (Appeals After Judicial Approval), 60 Nederlands Juristenblad 1417.Google Scholar
KOSSMANN, Ernest H. (1978) The Low Countries, 1780–1940. Oxford: Clarendon.Google Scholar
KRAMNICK, Isaac (1987) Federalist Papers. Harmondsworth: Penguin.Google Scholar
LIJPHART, Arend (1975) The Politics of Accommodation: Pluralism and Democracy in The Netherlands. 2d ed. Berkeley: University of California Press.Google Scholar
LUNSHOF, H. R. (1988) “De Republiek Portugal” (The Republic Portugal), in Prakke, L. and Kortmann, C. A. J. M. (eds.), Het Staatsrecht van de Landen der Europese Gemeenschappen. 3d ed. Deventer, The Netherlands: Kluwer.Google Scholar
MAZEL, P. E. (1984) In Naam van het Recht: De Hoge Raad en de Tweede Wereldoorlog (In the Name the Law: The Dutch Supreme Court and the Second World War). Arnhem, The Netherlands: Gouda Quint.Google Scholar
McWHINNEY, Edward (1986) Supreme Courts and Judicial Law-making: Constitutional Tribunals and Constitutional Review. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Martinus Nijhoff.Google Scholar
MONTESQUIEU, MONTESQUIEU Charles de, de la Brède, Baron et de (1871) [1748] De L'esprit des Lois. Paris: Garnier.Google Scholar
MORGAN, David G. (1985) Constitutional Law of Ireland. Blackrock, Ireland: Round Hall.Google Scholar
NEDERLAND'S ADELBOEK (Dutch Nobility) (yearly from 1903). 's-Gravenhage, The Netherlands: Centraal Bureau Voor Genealogie.Google Scholar
NEDERLAND'S PATRICIAAT (Dutch Patricians) (yearly from 1910). 's-Gravenhage, The Netherlands: Centraal Bureau Voor Genealogie.Google Scholar
PATERSON, Alan (1982) The Law Lords. London: Macmillan.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
PIETERMAN, Roel (1990) De Plaats van de Rechter in Nederland 1813–1920: Politiek-juridische Ideeënstrijd over de Scheiding van Machten in de Staat (The Role of the Judge in The Netherlands 1813–1920: Political-legal Battle of Ideologies on the Separation of Powers in the State). Arnhem, The Netherlands: Gouda Quint (diss. University of Utrecht).Google Scholar
POLAK, J. M. (1987) “Onrechtmatige Wetgeving” (Unlawful Legislation), 142(I) Handelingen Nederlandse Juristenvereniging 101.Google Scholar
PRAKKE, L. (1988) “Het Koninkrijk Spanje” (The Monarchy Spain), in Prakke, L. and Kortmann, C. A. J. M. (eds.) Het Staatsrecht van de Landen der Europese Gemeenschappen. 3d ed. Deventer, The Netherlands: Kluwer.Google Scholar
RADAMAKER, Dallis (1988) “The Courts in France,” in Waltman, J. L. and Holland, K. M. (eds.), The Political Role of Law Courts in Modern Democracies. New York: St. Martin's.Google Scholar
SCHAFFMEISTER, D. (1988) “De Rol van de Hoge Raad en de Ontwikkeling van het Cassatierecht in Strafzaken” (The Role of the Dutch Supreme Court and the Development in Cassation Law in Criminal Cases), in Anonymous (ed.), De Plaats van de Hoge Raad in het Huidige Staatsbestel: De Veranderingen in de Rol van de Hoge Raad als Rechtsvormer. Zwolle, The Netherlands: Tjeenk Willink.Google Scholar
SCHOLTEN, P. (1974) Mr. C. Asser's Handleiding tot de Beoefening van het Nederlands Burgerlijk Recht: Algemeen Deel (C. Asser's JD Handbook for the Practice of the Dutch Civil Law: General Part). 3d ed., rev. G. J. Scholten. Zwolle: Tjeenk Willink.Google Scholar
SCHOORDIJK, H. C. F.n (1988) “Hoe Vat(te) de Burgerlijke Kamer van de Hoge Raad Zijn Rechtsvormende Taak op?” (How Does and Did the Civil Division of the Dutch Supreme Court Conceive Its Task as Shaper of the Law?), in Anonymous (ed.), De Plaats van de Hoge Raad in het Huidige Staatsbestel: De Veranderingen in de Rol van de Hoge Raad als Rechtsvormer. Zwolle, The Netherlands: Tjeenk Willink.Google Scholar
SCHUBERT, Glendon (1985) Political Culture and Judicial Behavior, Vol. 1: Political Culture and Judicial Elites: A Comparative Analysis. Lanham: University Press of America.Google Scholar
SILLEVIS SMITT, J. L. W. (1978) “Dient de Regeling van Cassatie in Burgerlijke Zaken te Worden Gewijzigd en zo Ja, in Hoeverre en op Welke Wijze?” (Should the Arrangement of Appeals in Cassation Be Changed and If So, to What Extent and in What Manner?), 108(I) Handelingen der Nederlandse Juristenvereniging 5.Google Scholar
SNIJDERS, H. J. (1988) “Hoge Raad, Goede Raad: Enige Beschouwingen Bij de Literatuur Rond het 150-jarige Jubileum van de Hoge Raad” (Some Reflections on the Publications Concerning the 150th Anniversary of the Dutch Supreme Court), 63 Nederlands Juristenblad 1602.Google Scholar
SOLOMON, Rayman L. (1984) “The Politics of Appointment and the Federal Courts' Role in Regulating America: U.S. Courts of Appeals Judgeships From T.R. to F.D.R.,” 1984 American Bar Foundation Research Journal 285.Google Scholar
THILL, J. (1988) “Het Groot-Hertogdom Luxemburg” (The Grand-Duchess Luxembourg), in Prakke, L. and Kortmann, C. A. J. M. (eds.), Het Staatsrecht van de Landen der Europese Gemeenschappen. Deventer, The Netherlands: Kluwer.Google Scholar
VAN BUUREN, P. J. J. (1987) “Onrechtmatige Wetgeving” (Unlawful Legislation), 142(I) Handelingen Nederlandse Juristenvereniging 1.Google Scholar
VAN DEN BERG, J. Th. J. (1983) De Toegang tot het Binnenhof: De Maatschappelijke Herkomst van de Tweede-Kamerleden Tussen 1849 en 1970 (Entrance to the Binnenhof: The Social Background of the Member of the Second Chamber of Parliament Between 1849 and 1970). Weesp, The Netherlands: Van Holkema & Warendorf.Google Scholar
VAN DEN DRIES, N. C. M. A. (1945) De Hooge Raad der Nederlanden Tijdens de Bezetting (The Dutch Supreme Court During the Occupation). Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill.Google Scholar
VAN DER POT, C. W. (1972) Handboek van het Nederlandse Staatsrecht (Handbook of Dutch State Law). 9th ed., rev. A. M. Donner. Zwolle, The Netherlands: Tjeenk Willink.Google Scholar
VAN DIJK, P. (1988) “De Houding van de Hoge Raad Jegens de Verdragen Inzake de Rechten van de Mens” (The Attitude of the Dutch Supreme Court Toward Human Rights Treaties), in Anonymous (ed.), De Plaats van de Hoge Raad in het Huidige Staatsbestel: De Veranderingen in de Rol van de Hoge Raad als Rechtsvormer. Zwolle, The Netherlands: Tjeenk Willink.Google Scholar
VAN HOUTEN, M. L. P. (1990) “Constitutionele Toetsing” (Constitutional Review), 65 Nederlands Juristenblad 149.Google Scholar
VAN KOPPEN, P. J. (1990) “Cassatieadvocaten en de Selectiekamer: Effecten van de Invoering van een Verlofstelsel bij de Hoge Raad” (Cassation Attorneys and the Selection Division: Effects of the Introduction of Control Over the Docket at the Dutch Supreme Court), 65 Nederlands Juristenblad 14.Google Scholar
VAN KOPPEN, Peter J., and Jan TEN, KATE (1987) Tot Raadsheer Benoemd: Anderhalve Eeuw Benoemingen in de Hoge Raad der Nederlanden (Appointed to Justice: One and a Half Century Appointments to the Dutch Supreme Court). Arnhem, The Netherlands: Gouda Quint.Google Scholar
VAN MAANEN, Gerrit E. (1986) Aspecten van de Ontwikkeling en Structuur van Een Omstreden Leerstuk (Aspects of the Development and Structure of a Controversial Part of Jurisprudence). Deventer, The Netherlands: Kluwer (diss. University of Groningen).Google Scholar
VAN MAARSEVEEN, Henc (1988) “Een Arrest, Dat Schoffeert” (An Insulting Decision), 63 Nederlands Juristenblad 819.Google Scholar
VAN SCHELLEN, J. (1979) Wat Doet de Hoge Raad? Kanttekeningen Bij de Koers van de Moderne Cassatierechtspraak (What Does the Dutch Supreme Court Do? Comments On Modern Cassations). Deventer, The Netherlands: Kluwer.Google Scholar
VEEGENS, D. J. (1989) Cassatie in Burgerlijke Zaken (Appeals in Cassation in Civil Cases). 3d ed., rev. E. Korthals Altes and H. A. Groen. Zwolle, The Netherlands: Tjeenk Willink.Google Scholar
VERBURGH, M. J. P. (1977) “De Ontwikkeling van Rechtsvinding in de Civiele Rechtspraak: Stellingen Voor het Wiarda-symposium” (The Development of Jurisprudence in Civil Law Precedents: Propositions for the Wiarda-conference), 52 Nederlands Juristenblad 507.Google Scholar
VON SCHMIDT AUF ALTENSTADT, P. J. M. (1989) “De Hoge Raad op de Helling,” in Anonymous (ed.), De Marisbundel: Opstellen Aangeboden aan Mr. A. G. Maris (The Maris Volume: Essays in Honor of Maris, A. G.). Deventer, The Netherlands: Kluwer.Google Scholar
WALTMAN, Jerold L. (1988) “The Courts in England,” in Waltman, J. L. and Holland, K. M. (eds.), The Political Role of Law Courts in Modern Democracies. New York: St. Martin's.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
WATSON, Alan (1978) “Comparative Law and Legal Change,” 37 Cambridge Law Journal 313.Google Scholar

Cases Cited

Assay case (1942): see Toetsingsarrest..Google Scholar
De Vries v. NV Frankfurter Transport-Unfall und Glasversicherungs Actien Gesellschaft (“Zutphen Waterpipe”), H.R. 10 June 1910, WvH.R. No. 9038.Google Scholar
Harmonization case (1989): see Der Staat der Nederlanden v. De Landelijke Studenten Vak Bond (LSV).Google Scholar
Lindenbaum v. Cohen, H.R. 31 January 1919, N.J. 161, WvH.R. No. 10,365, with note Molengraaff.Google Scholar
Der Staat der Nederlanden v. De Landelijke Studenten Vak Bond (LSV) (“Harmonization case”), H.R. 14 April 1989, N.J. 1989, 469.Google Scholar
Toetsingsarrest (“Assay case”), H.R. 12 January 1942, N.J. 271.Google Scholar
Zutphen Waterpipe (1910): see De Vries v. NV Frankfurter Transport-Unfall und Glasversicherungs Actien Gesellschaft..Google Scholar