Companies and private citizens should be able to start a civil court case online, according to justice minister Ivo Opstelten.

The minister thinks the move will make it easier for people to access the legal system and it will be quicker to get results. He has sent draft legislation to enable online civil lawsuits out for consultation.

The new rules would force professional users, such as companies, lawyers and debt collectors, to work digitally in civil cases. This means court officials will spend less time on bureaucracy, the minister says.

Civilians would still be able to use paper documentation.