Council of State of the Netherlands

The Raad van State ( German: Council of State), based in The Hague in the Netherlands is a constitutional body to advise the government. It consists of members of the royal family and of the Crown appointed members with political, commercial, diplomatic or military experience.

The Cabinet must submit to the State any bill before it is presented to Parliament. Beyond The administrative law department of the State Council serves as the appellate court for appeals from citizens against decisions of the executive.

The monarch (currently Willem- Alexander) is the President of the State Council, but is usually represented in the chair by the Vice President. After the Dutch Constitution, the Vice President shall act as head of state, when no monarch is available.