Document background
The Final Demand Notice is a critical document in Dutch debt collection procedures, used when previous attempts to secure payment have been unsuccessful. It represents the final step before initiating formal legal proceedings and must comply with specific requirements under Dutch law, including the Civil Code and the Act on Extrajudicial Collection Costs (WIK). This document is typically issued after previous payment reminders have been ignored or payment arrangements have failed. The notice must include precise details of the debt, statutory interest calculations, collection costs, and clear payment terms. It should specify consequences of non-payment and provide a reasonable final deadline (usually 7-14 days). For business-to-business transactions, it must reference commercial statutory interest rates, while consumer cases require additional statutory warnings and information about rights.
