Living in the Netherlands - The Political, Administrative and Legal System

The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy and has a parliamentary democracy. The constitution is the most important document of state in the Netherlands. It contains the fundamental rules for the political and legal structure of the Netherlands and establishes the fundamental rights of its citizens. It is the highest national law of the state of the Netherlands; other laws are required to comply with its provisions. The constitution of the Kingdom of the Netherlands dates from 1814.

Political elections are held every four years in the Netherlands. These elections are to the Lower House of Parliament, a directly elected assembly of 150 people. The Upper House, which has 75 members, is elected by the executive bodies of the provincial councils.

The Netherlands does not have a jury system. The cantonal courts deal with the majority of civil cases. The courts of law deal with the more important cases, while appeals against a judgement of the cantonal court are also heard by the courts of law. Further appeal against a judgement of the courts of law lies with one of the five courts of justice in the Netherlands.