Formal urgent request to the Municipality of Gouda for the documents
The family has formally and urgently asked the Municipality of Gouda for a copy of the emergency order and the medical declaration. What was requested, and the legal deadlines that apply to a compulsory admission under the Wzd.
On 7 July 2026 Trudy’s son, as her (joint) legal representative, submitted a formal urgent request to the mayor and the executive of the Municipality of Gouda. This post explains what was requested and why, and outlines the legal framework.
What was requested
The request concerns copies of the documents underlying Trudy’s forced admission on 6 July 2026:
- the emergency order (inbewaringstelling, under article 29 of the Care and Compulsion Act), on the basis of which she was removed from her own home in Gouda and placed in a closed facility in Amsterdam;
- the medical declaration underlying that order;
- any other document that formed the basis of the decision, insofar as it can be provided to the representative;
- a written statement of when, and to whom, a copy of the order was provided — and in particular who was designated as Trudy’s representative.
This last point matters, because her son has to date received no documents whatsoever and was neither informed nor heard before or during the execution.
Why urgently
Beyond the deprivation of liberty there is an acute medical situation: Trudy has severe COPD, and her necessary medication was not provided in the facility. The family has therefore asked the municipality to provide the documents immediately, and at the latest within two working days. The request and the response to it are being shared with the family’s lawyer.
The legal framework: deadlines in a compulsory admission (Wzd)
By way of general explanation — this is how the Care and Compulsion Act works in an emergency admission:
- The emergency admission (IBS) is issued by the mayor and lasts a very short period.
- Copy to the representative. The mayor must provide a copy of the order to the person concerned and to their legal representative. Without those documents a representative cannot properly mount a defence.
- Judicial review. To continue the deprivation of liberty beyond the first short period, a decision by the court is required. The court hears both the person concerned and their representative.
- Right to assistance. A lawyer is assigned to the person concerned. The representative has the right to be heard and to be present at the hearing.
The family is working to be present at that judicial hearing and to have the lawfulness of the admission reviewed.
What the family is seeking
The goal is unchanged: that Trudy returns to her own home, with the home care she herself asked for and which the family wishes to arrange at its own expense. Until the requested documents have been received and assessed, the family makes no statements about the precise course of events.
This post will be updated once the Municipality of Gouda has responded or the requested documents have been received.