# Dispute resolution clause

Source: https://contracko.com/fr/glossaire/clause-de-reglement-des-litiges

# Dispute resolution clause

A provision setting out how, where and by whom contractual disputes will be resolved.

## Définition

A dispute resolution clause defines the mechanism for handling disagreements, from negotiation and mediation through to litigation or arbitration, and usually combines a forum choice with the governing law. Within the EU a choice-of-court agreement is recognised under the Brussels I Recast Regulation, while arbitration in the Netherlands is governed by the Code of Civil Procedure. A clear escalation ladder reduces cost and uncertainty when conflict arises.

## Exemple

> The dispute resolution clause routes disputes first to mediation, then to arbitration seated in Amsterdam under NAI rules.

## Pourquoi c'est un risque pour l'entreprise

An absent or vague dispute resolution clause forces parties to negotiate procedure at the worst possible moment: in the middle of a conflict. Without a governing-law clause, courts must determine applicable law using conflict-of-laws rules, adding cost and uncertainty. An exclusive jurisdiction clause in a supplier's standard terms may require you to litigate in a foreign court, dramatically increasing the cost of enforcing your rights.

## Comment le gérer

- Always include a governing-law clause alongside the dispute resolution clause so there is no uncertainty about which law applies.
- Design an escalation ladder: senior management negotiation first, then mediation, then arbitration or litigation as a last resort.
- Set time limits for each escalation step to prevent the process from being used as a delay tactic.
- Check the chosen forum's neutrality, cost, and speed before agreeing: NAI arbitration and the Netherlands Commercial Court are common choices for cross-border disputes in the Netherlands.

### Comment Contracko aide

Contracko's AI review extracts the dispute resolution mechanism, governing-law choice, and any mandatory escalation steps from a contract, adding them to the key-terms summary. When a dispute arises, teams can retrieve this procedural information immediately rather than rereading the entire agreement under pressure.

## Références juridiques

- [Reg. 1215/2012 Brussels I Recast: jurisdiction and choice of court Droit de l'UE](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/1215/oj)
- [Rv art. 1020 Dutch Code of Civil Procedure: arbitration Droit néerlandais](https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0001827)

Sauf mention contraire, les références renvoient au droit néerlandais (Burgerlijk Wetboek, le Code civil néerlandais) ; les instruments de l'UE tels que le RGPD s'appliquent dans toute l'UE. Il s'agit d'informations générales, pas de conseils juridiques. D'autres juridictions traitent ces concepts différemment. Vérifiez le texte en vigueur et votre situation avec un avocat qualifié.

## Pertinent pour

[Services juridiques](https://contracko.com/fr/secteurs/services-juridiques)[Services financiers](https://contracko.com/fr/secteurs/services-financiers)[Logistique et distribution](https://contracko.com/fr/secteurs/logistique)

## Clauses associées

- [Dispute Resolution Clause](https://contracko.com/fr/bibliotheque-de-clauses/reglement-des-litiges)
- [Arbitration Clause](https://contracko.com/fr/bibliotheque-de-clauses/arbitrage)
- [Governing Law Clause](https://contracko.com/fr/bibliotheque-de-clauses/droit-applicable)

## Termes associés

- [Arbitration](https://contracko.com/fr/glossaire/arbitrage)
- [Jurisdiction](https://contracko.com/fr/glossaire/juridiction-competente)
- [Governing law](https://contracko.com/fr/glossaire/droit-applicable)
- [Mediation](https://contracko.com/fr/glossaire/mediation)

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## Foire aux questions

Questions courantes sur ce terme.

- **Q:** What is the difference between arbitration and litigation in a dispute resolution clause?
  **A:** Litigation uses the state court system and results in a public judgment. Arbitration is private, uses party-appointed arbitrators, and produces a binding award that is confidential but enforceable internationally under the New York Convention.

- **Q:** Can the parties change the dispute resolution mechanism after the contract is signed?
  **A:** Yes, by a written amendment or, in practice, by both parties agreeing at the time of the dispute to a different process. Courts will generally respect an ad hoc agreement by parties to litigate even where the contract specifies arbitration.

- **Q:** Is a governing-law clause the same as a dispute resolution clause?
  **A:** No. A governing-law clause selects which country's law governs the contract's substance. A dispute resolution clause selects the forum and process for resolving disputes. Both are needed; one does not replace the other.

- **Q:** Can a consumer override a choice-of-court clause in a B2C contract?
  **A:** Yes, in many cases. EU consumer-protection rules (Brussels I Recast) allow a consumer to sue in the courts of their own country regardless of a foreign forum clause in the contract. Consumer choice-of-court clauses are therefore of limited effect against EU consumers.

- **Q:** What is the Netherlands Commercial Court?
  **A:** The Netherlands Commercial Court (NCC) is a specialised chamber of the Amsterdam District Court and Court of Appeal that handles international commercial disputes in English. It combines the advantages of state-court enforceability with an English-language procedure, making it an attractive alternative to arbitration for cross-border contracts.

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