Welcome to the Netherlands Bar
The Netherlands Bar (the Bar) is the public-law professional body for all advocates in the Netherlands. The statutorily regulated core activity of the Bar is to oversee the quality of services by advocates. This quality is ensured by, among other things:
- a comprehensive education programme for the legal profession;
- drawing up By-laws and other binding rules for advocates;
- disciplinary proceedings;
- information and services to the members;
- advice to the Dutch government about policy plans and enactments.
Pursuant to the Act on Advocates, advocates are obliged to become a member of the Bar. In 2011 there are 16,275 advocates registered. Every year 1,000 trainees start with the Professional Education Programme for the Legal Profession. The number of advocates is still increasing, last year with a growth rate of 2.1%.