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Netherlands Reports to the XIth International Congress of Comparative Law Caracas 1982 pp 99–123Cite as

The Dutch law of pretium doloris

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Abstract

In The Hague on the 21th of October 1933 a car accident occurred; a van driver, named Bessern, knocked down a young man, Van Kreuningen. Van Kreuningen, a motor mechanic at his father’s garage at the time of the accident, was seriously injured and had to undergo medical treatment and physical rehabilitation for a long period.

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Notes

  1. This advisory opinion of Procureur-Generaal Berger is published as an annex to the decision mentioned in note 2.

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  2. HR, RvdW 1943–15; NJ 1943–455. See note 16.

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  3. From 1579 till 1795 the Netherlands were a union of seven independent provinces. Each province had its own legal system, although the differences between these systems were of minor importance. In 1795 the Netherlands were occupied by the French.

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  4. The history of the were is described by Grotius in his Inleidinge tot de Bollandsche Rechtsgeleerdheid, Book III, Ch. 32 no. 7. Inleidinge’s English translation is: Hugo Grotius, Jurisprudence of Holland, translated with brief notes and a commentary by R.W. Lee, Oxford 1926.

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  5. Grotius, Inleidinge, Book III, Ch. 33 s. 1 and 3, see note 4.

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  6. Johannes Voet, Conmentarius ad Pandectas, IX, 2, 11. Translation used: The selective Voet, being the Commentary on the pandects by Johannes Voet, translated by P. Gane, Durban 1955.

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  7. Only Frisian law did not give a right to compensation for non-material damage, as is noted by P-G Berger in his opinion mentioned in note 1.

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  8. Voet, Cormnentarius, IX, 2, 11; see note 6.

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  9. Greebe p. 19. a. See Mout p. 141 ff.

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  10. An incidental provision is given in art. 16 of the Collective Labour Contracts Act 1927 (Wet C.A.O.), and in art. 3 of the Act on the General Binding Effect of Collective Labour Contracts (Wet Algemene Verbindend en Onverbindend Verklaring van CAO’s).

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  11. Wet Voorlopige Regeling Schadefonds Geweldmisdrijven.

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  12. Cf. art. 1149 French civil code.

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  13. Cf. art. 1382 French civil code.

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  14. See note 16.

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  15. HR, NJ 1937–570 (Voorste Stroom III); HR, NJ 1938–517 (Unitas).

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  16. In Dutch law of procedure the Supreme Court (Hoge Raad) appeal is decided by way of cassatie. Having decided the legal question the claim is based on, the Hoge Raad refers the case to an appeal court (Gerechtshof) to give a final judgment in accordance with the Hoge Raad’s decision.

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  17. So Asser 4, III p. 85. Meijers (annotations NJ 1937–570 and NJ 1938–517) holds that the Hoge Raad in these decisions maintained a positive acceptance of compensation of non-material damage.

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  18. HR, NJ 1959–15 (Van Herwaardens Kalksandsteenfabrieken).

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  19. See nr. 3.1.1.

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  20. Cases cited in notes 15 and 18.

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  21. See nr. 3.1.6. Concerning this refusal of compensation for non-material damage: Rb. ‘s Hertogenbosch, NJ 1953–168; idem NJ 1952–132; Rb. Assen, NJ 1953–99; Rb. ‘s Gravenhage, NJ 1953–496.

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  22. See nr. 3.1.6.

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  23. So e.g. Rb. Groningen, NJ 1950–433; Rb. Alkmaar, NJ 1968–335; Pres. Groningen, NJ 1971–403.

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  24. Pres. Haarlem, RodW KG 1981–108.

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  25. For compensation of non-material damage in case of a labour contract, see nr. 3.1.2.

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  26. So e.g. Kantongerecht Terborg 11.8.1977, VdV 578. The Kantongerecht (see note 28) gave judgment for the tenant who had to move after the landlord’s announcement that he needed the house himself. Immediately after the removal the landlord sold the house. The former tenant was granted compensation ex art. 1623e BW not only for material damage but also for non-material damage caused by the substantial inconvenience and annoyance sustained (Hfl. 2. 500 ).

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  27. Hof ‘s Hertogenbosch, VdV 268: a dentist drops an extirpation-needle which is swallowed by the patient, who needs to be operated afterwards; compensation Hfl. 2.000. Hof ‘s Hertogenbosch, VdV 322: X-ray treatment of face results in disfigurement; compensation Hfl. 15. 000.

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  28. Kantongerecht Rotterdam, Praktijkgids 1978–1307, compensation Hfl. 1.000. The Kantongerecht is a court of first instance competent for small claims and for all rent and labour disputes.

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  29. So Kantongerecht Utrecht, VdV 569 (Hfl. 100). Most disputes of this kind have, by the standard clauses used, to be decided by special arbitration. The Arbitration Commission often awards compensation for non-material damage in its decisions: see NJ 1974–384. In its uniform Standard Form Contracts Regulation the ANVR, the most important Dutch association for tour-operators, obliges clients to accept arbitration. In its regulation of this arbitration the ANVR allows the Arbitration Committee to give compensation not only for material but also for non-material damage (art. 4.3).

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  30. See OD II, 16.

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  31. Material damage is also called pecuniary, monetary or economic damage.

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  32. So Eykman p. 463.

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  33. Non-material damage is used here as synonymous with non-pecuniary damage, moral damage, solatium or pretium doloris. The term pretium doloris (the Dutch word smartegeld is a literal translation) is used here as a term of art, not in its literal meaning of smart-money.

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  34. So Meyers in his annotation to HR, NJ 1937–570.

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  35. a. See note 45a.

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  36. Stein in annotation HR, NJ 1980–227. Wachter in annotation HR, NJ 1980–482.

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  37. HR, NJ 1933–88, NBW art. 6.1.9.3. Asser I, p. 192.

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  38. Hof Amsterdam, VdV 60. Mok p. 231, De Groot p. 20, 106. On income tax: Hof Leeuwarden, BNB 1978–200.

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  39. It is remarkable to see that the burden of proof of material damage seems to be heavier then of non-material damage, De Groot p. 37.

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  40. OD II, 16, 3. For the opinion of the Hoge Raad: see note 15.

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  41. OD II, 14; Parl.Gesch. p. 368.

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  42. Mok p. 231.

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  43. a. As we have seen, concepts focusing on the enjoyment, pain, sorrow and affection are not appropriate. On the other hand,non-material damage seems to be linked with interferences of interests of a special kind, see below note 45a.

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  44. Salmond, On Torts, 12th ed., 1957, p. 629.

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  45. Although the following description is partly applicable to contractual liability we limit ourselves here to delictual liability.

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  46. Recent developments make it difficult to cite generally accepted definitions.

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  47. HR, NJ 197q-251 (Waterwingebied).

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  48. In awarding non-material damage courts do not, until now, differ between fault and strict liability.

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  49. a. If we try to schematize the links between the injured interest, the actual damage sustained, and the legal damage to be compensated, we find the following diagram: injured interest 1. proprietary interests to reparable material damage (in)corporals (e.g. in case of damage to an - owned or hired - car; interference with a contractual relationship) 2. proprietary interests irreparable material damage (e.g. in case of a burned painting)

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  50. non-proprietary interests reparable material damage (e.g. in case of wounds, necessitating hospitalization)

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  51. non-proprietary interests irreparable non-material damage (e.g. in case of sorrow for lost affection) Time is lacking to discuss the interdependances of the four categories of legal damages - especially questionable is here the right of the plaintiff to insist on compensation aimed at reparation (nrs. 1 and 3), if compensation of the other kind (nrs. 2 and 4) would be less expensive to the defendant.

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  52. See 3.2.2.

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  53. So the majority of court decisions, see OD II, 19.

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  54. Courts differ in their appreciation. Some courts demand full consciousness of the victim while others accept the faintest expression of will as sufficient for crystallization.

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  55. Rb. Groningen, VR 1960–27; Rb. ‘s Hertogenbosch, VR 1964–27.

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  56. This effect is recognized by De Groot, p. 106, and by the Special Committee on Traffic Accidents, see note 60.

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  57. Toelichting Boek 6 (6.1.9.11), Parl.Gesch. p. 369, Eykman p. 463.

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  58. Mok p. 24; Mout p. 144.

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  59. Rb. ‘s Gravenhage, NJ 1969–313; plaintiff A, damaged biceps, plaintiff B, head injury. Both unfit for work during one week, no pretium doloris. Kantongerecht Groningen, VdV 367: 11 years old child, hit by snowball, front teeth broken, to be replaced by crowns, no pretium doloris. De Groot p. 104.

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  60. Rb. Groningen, NJ 1973–88. Rb. Haarlem, VdV 207.

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  61. Rb. Amsterdam, NJ 1965–42 (marriage chances). Rb. Leeuwarden, VdV 442 (divorce).

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  62. Overeem p. 34.

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  63. a. De Groot, p. 637, discovered that in adjuster’s practice contributory negligence is seldom taken into consideration. It usually causes a complete denial or a complete acceptance of the victim’s right of compensation of non-material damage.

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  64. HR, NJ 1970–172. On the other hand, life-insurance is a ‘circumstance’ that - according to the arts. 1406 and 1407 - can be taken into account when mitigating the damage; see below.

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  65. Overeem p. 29.

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  66. Van der Veen, VR 1979, p. 121.

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  67. So: Report (Special Committee on Traffic Accidents), Part I, p. 41. Pro a point system: Van der Veen, VR 1979, p. 122; Eykman p. 464.

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  68. VdV 373, 510, 553.

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  69. a. OD II, 15; OD IX, 21.

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  70. b. HR, NJ 1980–227.

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  71. Overeem p. 22.

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  72. Rb. Assen, VdV 74; Hof Leeuwarden, NJ 1980–128.

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  73. E.g. Hof Leeuwarden, NJ 1981–128.

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  74. Rb. Amsterdam, VdV 176; De Groot p. 21.

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  75. See Overeem p. 23. Mok p. 232.

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  76. At its introduction in 1984 the provisions of the new civil code will be numbered in a different way than is done in the enactment. Each provision will be indicated by the number of the book and a consecutive figure.

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  77. In comparison to earlier drafts this article was in its last draft amplified in subsection ic.

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  78. Par Z.Gesch. p. 384.

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  79. Eykman p. 461; Mok p. 232. In their juridico-sociological research of 1967–1968 Bloembergen and Van Wersch found that almost one-third of the victims entitled to compensation of non-material damage abstained from claiming this damage.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Utrecht, Netherlands

    Frans J. A. Van Der Velden (Assistant Professor)

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  1. Frans J. A. Van Der Velden
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  1. Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Hans Ulrich (President of the Netherlands Comparative Law Association) & Jessurun D’Oliveira (President of the Netherlands Comparative Law Association) (President of the Netherlands Comparative Law Association) &  (President of the Netherlands Comparative Law Association)

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Van Der Velden, F.J.A. (1982). The Dutch law of pretium doloris. In: Ulrich, H., D’Oliveira, J. (eds) Netherlands Reports to the XIth International Congress of Comparative Law Caracas 1982. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-4443-0_5

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