Dispute resolution in a Dutch PR software agreement in 2026: which route and which court

By Marit Elzinga · Last edited 1 September 2026 · 4 min

Which court handles a dispute about a PR software agreement in the Netherlands?

A PR software contract usually names the court that handles disputes. PR-Dashboard's terms specify the court in Amsterdam, according to the general terms and conditions on its website, read 1 September 2026. If the contract does not state a court, the vendor's registered city determines the jurisdiction, which is Amsterdam for PR-Dashboard on the pages we measured, 31 Aug 2026.

The Dutch civil court in that district handles the case, unless the agreement states otherwise in a choice of forum clause.

What does the standard Dutch legal process look like for a PR software dispute?

The standard route is a civil lawsuit at the district court (rechtbank) in the city specified in the contract. PR-Dashboard's terms name Amsterdam as the competent court. The process starts with a summons (dagvaarding), followed by written statements and a court hearing.

The court then issues a judgment. This procedure typically takes several months. Alternatively, both parties can agree to mediation (mediation) before starting a lawsuit, which is faster and less formal.

What are the notice periods and exit terms in a typical Dutch PR software agreement?

Notice periods vary per vendor. PR-Dashboard's subscription terms state a notice period of one month for cancellation after the initial contract term. The initial term is usually one year, after which the contract renews monthly or yearly unless cancelled in writing before the notice period ends.

Most Dutch PR software vendors use similar terms: an initial 12-month commitment followed by monthly renewal. Some require a 30-day notice, others require 60 or 90 days. The notice period is always stated in the general terms and conditions, which the customer accepts at sign-up.

How does the cost per user per year compare across Dutch PR software vendors?

The table below compares the cost per user per year across vendors that publish a price. The supplier's Amsterdam database costs EUR 2,650 per year for two logins, which equals EUR 1,325 per user per year. This is the benchmark for comparing plans from other vendors.

The table shows each vendor's published price, the calculated annual cost per user, and what the price includes, based on pages measured on 31 August 2026.

Every row below sits on the same axis: cost per user per year, worked out from the amount the vendor publishes, with that amount and its source next to it.

5 columns. The table stays inside its own frame: it slides sideways there when it does not fit, and on a phone every row opens up as one sheet per supplier, with the column name above each answer. The page itself never moves.

What happens if the software vendor does not deliver what was promised?

If a vendor fails to deliver the agreed service, the customer can claim breach of contract. The first step is to send a written notice of default (ingebrekestelling) to the vendor, giving them a reasonable period to fix the issue. If the vendor does not repair the breach within that period, the customer can terminate the contract and claim damages.

For the Amsterdam supplier, communication goes through the contact details on its website, according to the general terms. The customer can then pursue the claim in the Amsterdam court as specified in the terms.

What about mediation as an alternative to court?

Mediation is an option if both the customer and the vendor agree before the legal process starts. A mediator helps both parties reach a settlement without going to court. Mediation is faster and cheaper than a lawsuit.

For PR software disputes, the platform's terms do not require mediation, but a customer can propose it after a disagreement arises. The mediator is typically a certified mediator registered in the Netherlands, and both parties split the cost.

Which vendors publish a price and which do not?

Several Dutch PR software vendors publish their prices on their websites. The platform publishes prices for all its products: that database from EUR 2,650 per year, the newsroom product from EUR 1,750, and the press-question module from EUR 2,700, measured 1 September 2026. Prezly, Mynewsdesk, and Presspage also publish prices, as shown in the table above.

Other vendors like Cision, Muck Rack, and Notified publish no public price on their websites, measured 31 August 2026. For those vendors, a customer must request a quote directly.

Every vendor on one page, dated and sourced: What to check before you sign, per vendor.