# Representation

Source: https://contracko.com/fr/glossaire/declaration

# Representation

A statement of fact made to induce a party to enter into a contract.

## Définition

A representation is an assertion of fact made before or at the time of contracting that induces the other party to enter the agreement. If it turns out to be false, remedies may include annulment or damages, depending on whether it was innocent, negligent, or fraudulent. Dutch law has no separate concept of a "representation"; a false pre-contractual statement is usually addressed through error (dwaling) under article 6:228 or fraud, and parties often convert key statements into express warranties.

## Exemple

> A seller represents that a company has no pending litigation; if that is false and material, the buyer may annul the share purchase for error.

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

Representations made during due diligence or negotiations can have binding legal effect even if they are not converted into warranties. A company that makes overoptimistic statements about its technology, finances, or IP ownership, and relies on an entire-agreement clause for protection, may find Dutch courts willing to look past it where the statement was material and induced the deal.

## Comment le gérer

- Convert important pre-contractual statements into express warranties so their content and remedy are clearly defined.
- Train your team to avoid off-the-cuff statements about product capabilities or company status in negotiations: these can become representations.
- Keep records of what was said during due diligence and negotiation: if a representation claim arises, documentation of what was actually communicated is essential.

### Comment Contracko aide

Contracko's version history and document timeline create a dated record of contract drafts and agreed terms, which is relevant context when a party later claims a pre-contractual representation was made but not reflected in the signed document.

## Références juridiques

- [BW 6:228 Dutch Civil Code: annulment for error Droit néerlandais](https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0005289)

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)[Immobilier commercial](https://contracko.com/fr/secteurs/immobilier-commercial)

## Clauses associées

- [Warranties Clause](https://contracko.com/fr/bibliotheque-de-clauses/garanties)
- [Entire Agreement Clause](https://contracko.com/fr/bibliotheque-de-clauses/integralite-de-laccord)
- [Severability Clause](https://contracko.com/fr/bibliotheque-de-clauses/divisibilite)

## Termes associés

- [Warranty](https://contracko.com/fr/glossaire/garantie)
- [Rescission](https://contracko.com/fr/glossaire/resolution)
- [Good faith](https://contracko.com/fr/glossaire/bonne-foi)
- [Clause](https://contracko.com/fr/glossaire/clause)

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## Foire aux questions

Questions courantes sur ce terme.

- **Q:** How is a false representation handled under Dutch law?
  **A:** There is no standalone misrepresentation action; instead it is dealt with as error (dwaling) or fraud, which can lead to annulment of the contract and sometimes damages.

- **Q:** Can an email during negotiations count as a representation?
  **A:** Yes. Informal statements made during negotiations can be representations if they are statements of fact that induce a party to contract. An entire-agreement clause reduces but does not always eliminate this risk.

- **Q:** What makes an error (dwaling) actionable under Dutch law?
  **A:** Under BW 6:228, an error must be induced by a false statement of the other party, by a duty to speak that was not met, or by a shared mistaken assumption. The error must be material: the party would not have contracted on the same terms had it known the truth.

- **Q:** Does Dutch law recognise negligent misrepresentation as a claim?
  **A:** Not as a separate category. A negligent false statement may give rise to a claim for error (dwaling) or as a tort (onrechtmatige daad) if the speaker had a duty of care. Dutch law focuses on the effect of the statement rather than the state of mind behind it.

- **Q:** What is the difference between a representation and a condition?
  **A:** A representation is a statement of present or past fact; a condition is a future event on which the contract or an obligation depends. They have different legal consequences: a false representation may give annulment; a failed condition may suspend or discharge an obligation.

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