Hoge Raad van Holland en Zeeland

The High Council of Holland, Zeeland and West Friesland ( Hoge Raad van Holland, Zeeland en West-Friesland, or shorter Hoge Raad van Holland en Zeeland) was from 1581 the highest court in these provinces.

The pursuit of uniform case law under a highest Dutch court in the 15th century led to the establishment of the Great Council of Malines. The legal entity under this highest Court in the Burgundian Netherlands had on hand, was recognized until 1581 with the Plakkaat van Verlatinghe the king of Spain no longer than sovereign. The northern provinces also renewed their independence in the legal field. Initially, each province had its own supreme court, the court. Although it was the intention to build a successor to the Great Council a superior Court, the High Council, then what actually happened in 1582 also, but this advice was then recognized only in Holland and ( 1587 ) Zeeland; the remaining provinces were autonomous and govern their legal matters in other ways. The High Council remained until 1795, until the proclamation of the Batavian Republic, exist.

The members of the High Council was partly appointed by the " Staten van Holland en West-Friesland ", part of the " Staten van Zeeland ". The best-known member of the Council was (from 1704) Cornelis van Bynkershoek ( 1673-1743 ), the 1723 President of the High Council was and remained so until his death. Some Council members prepared to reports on the work of the Council, alongside Bynkershoek Pieter ocher, which was from 1669 to 1678 Alderman, and Willem Pauw, of which the notes until 1787.

Although the highest Dutch court from 1838 was also called high councilor, and in 1806 a High Court was ( High Council of the Netherlands ), one can not speak of continuity, as the High Council of Holland and Zeeland included only two provinces