The Brussels I-bis Regulation (EU 1215/2012) complements Rome II by regulating which court is competent and how judgments on personal injury in Rijswijk and surroundings are recognized cross-border. Rome II selects the applicable law, Brussels I the jurisdiction. In Rijswijk, near The Hague, we often see claims following traffic accidents on the A4 or industrial accidents.
Competent Court for Rijswijk Cases
Article 4: domicile of the defendant, often in Rijswijk or The Hague. Article 7(2): place where the damage occurs, such as an accident on Vrijburgerslaan or A13. Victims from Rijswijk regularly choose the place of the tort for favorable Dutch law under Rome II, with the District Court of The Hague as the competent authority.
Recognition and Enforcement
Judgments are automatically recognized in EU countries (except ex parte decisions). No exequatur procedure since 2015. Challenge possible in case of breach of public policy. For Rijswijk victims, this means quick settlement.
Practical example: Rijswijk judgment on injury from a German truck accident (Rome II-Dutch law) is enforced in Germany without retrial. Insurers must pay immediately. In the Rijswijk-The Hague region, lawyers combine this with local expertise for optimal claims.
For non-EU countries, national law applies, which causes complications in accidents involving British or American parties. The combination with the Hague Convention on forum selection significantly strengthens the position of Rijswijk claimants.