Dutch Judiciary Embraces Digitalization to Improve Access to Justice
The Hague, Sunday, 9 March 2025.
The Dutch judiciary is enhancing access to justice by advancing digital procedures in criminal, administrative, and supervision law, reflecting a significant shift towards modernization.
Strategic Digital Implementation
The Dutch judiciary is taking a measured approach to digital transformation, implementing proven technologies through carefully planned phases. The courts first test new digital services with both judicial staff and legal professionals before wider deployment, starting with pilot programs in select courts [1]. This methodical strategy demonstrates a commitment to ensuring system reliability while maintaining the integrity of judicial processes.
Current Scope and Scale
As of 2025, the Dutch judicial system manages approximately 1.6 million judicial decisions annually, supported by 2,700 judges and 10,400 court officials [6]. The digitalization initiative particularly impacts the handling of cases at district courts, where 64 percent of cases are processed by cantonal judges, while criminal cases, despite their high media profile, represent only 12 percent of district court proceedings [6].
Focus on Accessibility
Since 2018, the Council for the Judiciary has shifted its focus from merely automating legal procedures to enhancing digital accessibility through the Digital Access Project (Project DT). This initiative aims to enable litigants and legal representatives to conduct paperless proceedings in administrative and civil law cases [1]. The modernization effort represents a significant evolution in the judiciary’s approach to digital services, prioritizing user accessibility over pure automation.
Future Developments and Integration
The judiciary continues to expand its digital capabilities across various legal domains, with particular emphasis on supervision, criminal law, and administrative law [1]. This transformation aligns with broader technological trends in the legal sector, as evidenced by emerging discussions about digital justice systems and technology courts [5]. The initiative demonstrates the Dutch judiciary’s commitment to maintaining relevance in an increasingly digital society while ensuring effective case management and accessible justice services.