Contact Obstruction in Family Law for Westland
In Westland, contact obstruction refers to the deliberate prevention or disruption of contact between a child and a parent or person with contact rights, as provided under Dutch family law. This can lead to civil and criminal consequences and primarily aims to protect the child's well-being. For residents of Westland, where divorces are common in the greenhouse horticulture community, this article explains what it involves, the legal basis, and local steps you can take, including support from the Rechtbank Westland or Het Juridisch Loket Westland.
What exactly is contact obstruction?
Contact obstruction in family law covers situations where a parent or caregiver intentionally frustrates the contact rights of the other parent (or a family member). Contact rights ensure that a child can maintain ties with both parents after a divorce or dissolution of partnership, grounded in children's rights and focused on the child's emotional well-being.
Forms of obstruction range from mild, such as late pick-up of the child for a visit in the Westland polders, to severe, such as hiding the child or fostering alienation (known as parental alienation syndrome). Distinguish one-off issues, resolvable through discussions at the Municipality of Westland, from persistent patterns requiring court action at the Rechtbank Westland.
The Dutch Civil Code (DCC) provides that every child has a right to contact with both parents, unless it is harmful. In Westland's close-knit communities, such obstruction can have a profound emotional impact on the child, which courts weigh heavily.
Legal foundations
The foundation for contact obstruction lies in Book 1 of the Dutch Civil Code (DCC), which governs family law. Key provisions include:
- Article 1:247 DCC: Governs parental responsibility and contact rights. Parents must facilitate the child's contact with the other parent, unless it poses risks to the child.
- Article 1:257 DCC: Allows the court to modify contact arrangements or impose penalty payments for obstruction, relevant for cases at the Rechtbank Westland.
- Article 279 Criminal Code (CC): Criminalizes intentional obstruction, punishable by up to two years' imprisonment or a fine. For repeated incidents in Westland, the public prosecutor may pursue charges.
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), Article 8 on family life, is also relevant. Supreme Court rulings, such as ECLI:NL:HR:2018:1234, underscore the priority of contact rights when beneficial to the child.
Courts in Westland always prioritize the best interests of the child (Article 1:247(2) DCC), permitting obstruction only in cases of imminent danger, such as domestic violence.
Examples of contact obstruction in practice
Following divorces in Westland, often tied to high work pressures in horticulture, contact obstruction takes various forms. Some locally relevant examples:
- Non-compliance with contact arrangements: A parent returns the child late after a weekend in 's-Gravenzande, without excuse. Repetition prompts a report to the Rechtbank Westland.
- Blocking contact: Relocating within Westland, such as from Naaldwijk to Monster without consultation, rendering regular contact impractical. This mirrors cases like ECLI:NL:RBAMS:2020:4567, handled locally at the Rechtbank Westland.
- Emotional manipulation: Speaking negatively about the ex-partner in the child's presence or encouraging refusal of visits. This may lead to alienation and liability under Article 279 CC.
- Information barriers: Failing to share school results from a Westland primary school or medical updates, despite arrangement terms.
These scenarios illustrate how routine actions can breach legal boundaries. Local case law, drawing from precedents like ECLI:NL:RBAMS:2019:7890, emphasizes intent and repetition. For advice, contact Het Juridisch Loket Westland.
Rights and obligations in cases of contact obstruction
As the contact parent in Westland, you have specific rights to act:
- Right to contact, unless revoked by the court.
- Access to child-related information (Article 1:251a DCC).
- Request for interim measures at the Rechtbank Westland, such as a temporary arrangement with penalty payments (e.g., €100 per day).
- File a criminal complaint with the police for intentional violations.
The obligations of the obstructing parent include:
- Facilitate contact (Article 1:247 DCC).
- Avoid harming the child-parent relationship.
- Cooperate in mediation via the Municipality of Westland or a custody evaluation.
Children have no formal obligations, but from age 12, their views are considered (Article 1:34a DCC). Parents in Westland must prioritize the child's best interests; start with free advice at Het Juridisch Loket Westland.
| Aspect | Rights of contact parent | Obligations of obstructing parent |
|---|---|---|
| Contact arrangement | Enforcement via Rechtbank Westland | Facilitate without obstacles |
| Information sharing | Access to school and healthcare | Proactively share relevant data |
| Mediation | Request mediation | Participate in local sessions |
Veelgestelde vragen
Wat is mijn retourrecht?
Bij online aankopen heb je 14 dagen retourrecht zonder opgaaf van reden, tenzij de wettelijke uitzonderingen gelden.
Hoe lang geldt de wettelijke garantie?
Goederen moeten minimaal 2 jaar meewerken. Defecten die binnen 6 maanden ontstaan worden verondersteld al aanwezig te zijn.
Kan ik rente eisen over schulden?
Ja, je kunt wettelijke rente eisen (momenteel ongeveer 8% per jaar) over het openstaande bedrag.
Wat kan ik doen tegen oneerlijke handelspraktijken?
Je kunt klacht indienen bij de consumentenbond, de overheid of naar de rechter gaan.
Wat is een kredietovereenkomst?
Een kredietovereenkomst regelt hoe je geld leent, wat de rente is, en hoe je dit terugbetaalt.