An advocaat is a member of both the local bar association in his court district and of the Dutch Bar Association . Only certain advocaats may argue before the Supreme Court. Many Dutch companies employ in-house lawyers who do not have right of audience in court and are members of the Association of Company Lawyers. Another legal profession in the Netherlands is that of the notary . The notary deals mainly with conveyancing, mortgages, incorporation, wills and marriage settlement, and other transactions for which notarial deeds are required.
Notaries are neutral and appointed by the monarch.
The monarch also appoints bailiffs who are considered public officials. In 1964 the Court of Justice of the European Community ruled that European law is an integral part of the national legal system of the EC member countries and takes precedence over national law. When the Dutch judge rules that such a provision has a direct effect, a citizen can invoke the provision in his case and the provision will then prevail over conflicting Dutch law. Therefor, Dutch citizens are governed dually by Dutch law and international law . Since 1986 these three countries have had an equal voice in the Kingdom, making it a kind of federation.