The Supreme Court, The Hague. Architect KAAN Architecten. Photography by Fernando Guerra.
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
To celebrate the Week of Justice from 18 to 23 April, The Hague hosted a variety of events in the field of justice and international law.
The International Court of Justice celebrated its 70-year-anniversary, while His Majesty King Willem-Alexander performed the official opening of the new International Criminal Court and the new premises of the Netherlands Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court of the Netherlands has recently relocated to new premises at Korte Voorhout in The Hague, and H. M. King Willem-Alexander inaugurated the impressive building on 20 April 2016. The new six story edifice will replace the former premises on Kazernestraat and Lange Voorhout.
Master of Ceremonies at the event was the Solicitor-General, Mr. Mark Wissink. The inauguration ceremony featured the Minister of Justice Mr. Ard van der Steur, Attorney-General Mr. Jan-Watse Fokkens, and the President of the Court Mr. Maartin Feters. A choir sang Saprema Curia Hooge Raad under the direction of Ms. Marcella Obermeister Shasha.
As an inaugural act, H. M. King Willem-Alexander handed over a hammer to Mr. Maartin Feters, President of the Supreme Court. He also introduced the work of artist Helen Verhoeven, who was commissioned for a painting to decorate the court’s reception area.
The Supreme Court of the Netherlands was established in 1838, and is the highest Dutch court in criminal, tax and civil law matters. Its jurisdiction covers the Netherlands and Caribbean part of the Kingdom, i.e. Aruba, Curacao and St Martin. The Court is a Court of Cassation, which means that it has the competence to quash or affirm rulings of lower courts, but no competence to re-examine or question the facts.
The prosecutor’s office, which draws up advisory opinions, will also move to Korte Voorhout. The new building consists of two courtrooms, offices and a library.
