# Cees van de Sanden

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Dutch attorney and politician (born 1962)

In this [Dutch name](/source/Dutch_name), the [surname](/source/Surname) is *Van de Sanden*, not *Sanden*.

Cees van de Sanden Van de Sanden in 2025 Member of the Senate Incumbent Assumed office 24 September 2024 Preceded by Caspar van den Berg In office 27 June 2023 – 11 October 2023 Preceded by Paulien Geerdink Succeeded by Paulien Geerdink Personal details Born Cornelis Adrianus Hendricus van de Sanden (1962-12-11) 11 December 1962 (age 63) Party People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (until 2025) Alma mater Tilburg University (LL.M.) Occupation advisor politician

**Cornelis Adrianus Hendricus** "**Cees**" **van de Sanden**[1] (Dutch pronunciation: [\[ˈkeːs fɑn də ˈsɑndə(n)\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Dutch); born 11 December 1962) is a Dutch former attorney and politician. He has been an [independent politician](/source/Independent_politician) since he left the conservative-liberal [People's Party for Freedom and Democracy](/source/People's_Party_for_Freedom_and_Democracy) (VVD) in October 2025.

## Early life

Van de Sanden was born on 11 December 1962 and grew up in Tilburg, North Brabant in the district north of its center.[2][3][4] In his [maiden speech](/source/Maiden_speech) as senator, he told that his father worked in a textile factory, and he described him as socialist and pro-union. Van de Sanden said he had attended the Cobbenhagen College at [VWO](/source/Voorbereidend_wetenschappelijk_onderwijs) level.[4]

## Career

He worked as an administrative law advisor for a provincial government.[5] He studied Dutch law at [Tilburg University](/source/Tilburg_University) between 2001 and 2006, and he was admitted to the bar in January 2007.[2][6] Van de Sanden completed his three-year Legal Profession Training Course (Beroepsopleiding Advocaat) as an intern at the law firms NautaDutilh and Loyens & Loeff, and he later worked for the firm AKD.[7][8][9] He established his own solo practice in 2012 and was joined by criminal defense attorney Heleen Peters in November 2016 to form Van de Sanden & Peters Advocaten, located in [Utrecht](/source/Utrecht).[7][10][11] Van de Sanden is specialized in administrative law and has worked on cases related to [spatial planning](/source/Spatial_planning), environment, privacy, and law and order, and he has annotated cases for the legal journal *Bouwrecht* (Construction law).[12][13][14] In 2009, after the Spatial Planning Act had been enacted, Van de Sanden and a colleague warned it could put thousands of construction projects on hold. They argued exemptions to [zoning](/source/Zoning) plans granted by municipalities would not be valid under the new legislation in case a building permit had not yet been obtained, and they recommended the minister to add a [grandfather clause](/source/Grandfather_clause).[8][15] In a 2015 opinion piece in the *[NRC Handelsblad](/source/NRC_Handelsblad)*, Van de Sanden and Peters criticized an amendment to the Aliens Employment Act that led to the immediate publication of companies fined in violation. They complained companies that were later found to be innocent were not compensated for reputational damage.[16]

Vredehof cemetery in [Bodegraven](/source/Bodegraven), which was visited by conspiracy theorists in early 2021

Van de Sanden represented the municipality of [Bodegraven-Reeuwijk](/source/Bodegraven-Reeuwijk) in several cases that drew national media attention starting in 2021. Allegations of [Satanic ritual abuse](/source/Satanic_ritual_abuse) of children in [Bodegraven](/source/Bodegraven) in the 1980s were spread by three individuals – one claiming to be a survivor – through an online broadcast. As a result, inhabitants received threats and believers flocked to the graves of supposed victims in early 2021 to lay flowers.[12][17] Mayor Christiaan van der Kamp sought legal advice after relatives had been angered, and Van de Sanden advised to prohibit non-relatives from visiting the affected cemetery through an [emergency order](/source/Emergency_order).[12][18] After continued unrest, the municipality started an [injunction](/source/Injunction) suit against the three men to stop them from promoting the conspiracy theory, separate from criminal proceedings by the [Public Prosecution Service](/source/Public_Prosecution_Service_(Netherlands)).[18][19] The District Court of The Hague agreed with the municipality and ordered the defendants in July to take down their posts from social media. Van de Sanden called it a groundbreaking judgement that would allow municipalities to tackle online disturbances through civil action. However, he also called on the [Dutch Data Protection Authority](/source/Dutch_Data_Protection_Authority) to take more action in the future.[17][20] Wouter Raatgever – one of the conspiracy theorists – was sentenced to six months in prison for threats against Van de Sanden and incitement against a prominent physician-scientist. Raatgever had accused Van de Sanden of protecting a Satanist pedophile network and said that he should receive the death penalty from a military tribunal.[21]

Through a [civil case](/source/Civil_case), Bodegraven-Reeuwijk tried to recover security, clean-up, and legal costs incurred as a result of the conspiracy theory. The three conspiracy theorists were ordered to pay €215,000 in May 2022, but the decision was reversed for one of the defendants on appeal the next year.[22][23] Van de Sanden also continued efforts to have the social media posts removed, as the three men failed to comply with the judgement. Platform [Twitter](/source/Twitter) suspended one account after receiving a draft [subpoena](/source/Subpoena) but did not abide by the municipality's request to remove all tweets promoting the conspiracy theory.[24] In turn, the municipality filed an injunction suit against Twitter. The District Court of The Hague ruled in October 2022 that the company had done enough and that it would be too complex to have it filter all illegal content.[25][26] Reflecting on his work for the municipality, Van de Sanden wrote in an opinion piece that mayors have more possibilities than often believed to act on online calls to disrupt public order by drawing on [civil](/source/Civil_law_(common_law)) rather than administrative law. However, Van de Sanden and Peters also expressed that an expanded set of tools would be required for mayors, saying that parts of the relevant legislation stemmed from the 19th century and did therefore not consider the digital world.[5][27][28]

Van de Sanden's partnership with Heleen Peters ended when they dissolved their firm in September 2022. He founded the short-lived SandenHartman with financial attorney Jesler Hartman Kok, before becoming founding partner in April 2024 of a firm called Legolas Law. Both had their offices in [Eindhoven](/source/Eindhoven).[2][29][30][31][32]

As of February 2, 2026, Van de Sanden is no longer registered on the Roll of Advocates and has ceased practicing as a lawyer.[33][34] Since that date, he has been active as an advisor.[34]

## Politics

Van de Sanden became active for the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) in 2021 in his home province of North Brabant, where he helped write its provincial [election program](/source/Election_program). He ran for the Senate [in May 2023](/source/2023_Dutch_Senate_election) as the party's twelfth candidate. The ballot listed ['s-Hertogenbosch](/source/'s-Hertogenbosch) as his place of residence, and he said he wanted to contribute to a liberal, safe, and enterprising Netherlands.[3][13] Van de Sanden was not elected to the Senate, as the VVD won ten seats.[35] On 16 June 2023, Senator [Paulien Geerdink](/source/Paulien_Geerdink) (VVD) suffered a [spinal fracture](/source/Spinal_fracture) resulting from a fall and went on sick leave.[36] Van de Sanden was sworn in as her temporary replacement on 27 June due to his place on the [party list](/source/Party_list) in the last election. The seat had been declined by the VVD's eleventh candidate, Marjolein van der Linden.[35][37] Geerdink returned on 12 October 2023, bringing an end to his term.[38] Van de Sanden was sworn in as the permanent replacement of Senator [Caspar van den Berg](/source/Caspar_van_den_Berg) on 24 September 2024.[39] Following the repeated decision of the eleventh-ranked candidate to decline the seat. He left the VVD and continued as an [independent politician](/source/Independent_politician) on 8 October 2025, declaring that the party had "drifted away from its core values of liberty, responsibility, tolerance, social justice, and equality."[40]

In June 2025, Van de Sanden came under scrutiny for acting as legal counsel for the Dutch subsidiary of the Russian oil company Lukoil, while simultaneously voting in the Senate on matters that could affect the company. Integrity experts criticized the lack of transparency and pointed to potential conflicts of interest and security risks, particularly in light of Lukoil’s ties to the Kremlin.[41]

In March 2026, Van de Sanden was appointed, together with Mary Fiers, as rapporteur for the European "Digital AI Omnibus" and "Digital Omnibus" proposals. The rapporteurs were appointed for a period of nine months to support the information position of the Senate (Eerste Kamer of the Netherlands).[42] Following consultations between the Committees on Digitalization and on Economic Affairs, Climate, and Sustainable Growth and the relevant Secretaries of State on 17 March 2026, the Senate (Eerste Kamer of the Netherlands) decided on 24 March 2026 to lift the parliamentary scrutiny reserve for these proposals, ending the Senate's ability to suspend the legislative process in Brussels for these files.[43][44]

### Senate committee assignments

First term:

- Committee on Education, Culture and Science

- Committee on Economic Affairs and Climate Policy

- Committee on Finances

- Committee on Social Affairs and Employment[45]

Second term:

- Committee on Digitization

- Committee on Economic Affairs / Climate Policy and Green Growth

- Committee on European Affairs

- Committee on the Interior

- Committee on Justice and Security

- Committee on Health, Welfare and Sport[46]

## Electoral history

Electoral history of Cees van de Sanden Year Body Party Pos. Votes Result Ref. Party seats Individual 2023 Senate People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 12 0[a] 10 Lost[b] [35]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-47)** To account for population differences between provinces, a weighted vote total of 0 is used.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-48)** Van de Sanden was appointed to the body later during the term due to a vacancy.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Mr. C.A.H. (Cees) van de Sanden"](https://www.parlement.com/biografie/mr-cah-cees-van-de-sanden). *[Parlement.com](/source/Parlement.com)* (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 September 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ek1_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ek1_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ek1_2-2) ["Mr. C.A.H van de Sanden (VVD)"](https://www.eerstekamer.nl/persoon/mr_c_a_h_van_de_sanden_ll_m_vvd). *[Senate](/source/Senate_(Netherlands))* (in Dutch). Retrieved 2 February 2025.

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1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ek2_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ek2_4-1) ["Verslag van de plenaire vergadering van dinsdag 12 september 2023"](https://www.eerstekamer.nl/verslag/20230912/verslag) [Minutes of the plenary session on Tuesday 12 September 2023]. *Senate* (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 September 2023.

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1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-vvd_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-vvd_13-1) ["Cees van de Sanden"](https://www.vvd.nl/profielen/cees-van-der-sanden/). *[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy](/source/People's_Party_for_Freedom_and_Democracy)* (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 September 2023.

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1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-vk1_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-vk1_17-1) Kuiper, Rik (17 June 2021). ["'Satanische pedoterreur' door 'corrupte elite': kan rechter complotdenkers stoppen?"](https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/satanische-pedoterreur-door-corrupte-elite-kan-rechter-complotdenkers-stoppen~b6b846ac/) ['Satanic ritual abuse' by 'corrupt elite': Can the judge stop conspiracy theorists?]. *de Volkskrant* (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 September 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-vk3_18-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-vk3_18-1) Kuiper, Rik (18 May 2022). ["Complotdenkers veroordeeld tot 2 ton schadevergoeding voor verspreiden verhalen over pedonetwerk"](https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/complotdenkers-veroordeeld-tot-2-ton-schadevergoeding-voor-verspreiden-verhalen-over-pedonetwerk~b0135f83/) [Conspiracy theorists sentenced to pay €200,000 in compensation for spreading stories about pedophile network]. *de Volkskrant* (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 September 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Bouma, Rudy; Van der Meer, Sophie; Berbers, Tim (8 July 2021). ["Gemeenten zoeken middelen tegen online verspreiding complottheorieën"](https://nos.nl/nieuwsuur/artikel/2388539-gemeenten-zoeken-middelen-tegen-online-verspreiding-complottheorieen) [Municipalities are looking for ways to stop the online spreading of conspiracy theories]. *[NOS](/source/Nederlandse_Omroep_Stichting)* (in Dutch). Retrieved 19 September 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Tielemans, Stijn; Rosman, Cyril (8 July 2021). ["Burgemeester Bodegraven: Als het nodig is, laten we complotverspreiders gijzelen"](https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/burgemeester-bodegraven-als-het-nodig-is-laten-we-complotverspreiders-gijzelen~a0c62a93/) [Bodegraven mayor: If it is necessary, we will have the conspiracy theory spreaders held]. *[Algemeen Dagblad](/source/Algemeen_Dagblad)* (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 September 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Complotdenker Wouter Raatgever krijgt zes maanden celstraf voor bedreiging advocaat en opruiing tegen Jaap van Dissel"](https://www.leidschdagblad.nl/cnt/dmf20210622_96167819) [Conspiracy theorist Wouter Raatgever receives six-month prison sentence for threats against lawyer and incitement against Jaap van Dissel]. *[Leidsch Dagblad](/source/Leidsch_Dagblad)* (in Dutch). 22 June 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Complotdenkers moeten 2 ton betalen na verhalen pedonetwerk"](https://www.trouw.nl/binnenland/complotdenkers-moeten-2-ton-betalen-na-verhalen-pedonetwerk~b6b6ebda/) [Conspiracy theorists ordered to pay €200,000 due to stories about pedophile network]. *[Trouw](/source/Trouw)* (in Dutch). 18 May 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Van Opstal, Harrie (23 May 2023). ["Schadeclaim van twee ton tegen 'pedonetwerk'-complotdenker Knevel afgewezen, gemeente bestudeert uitspraak"](https://www.ad.nl/bodegraven-reeuwijk/schadeclaim-van-twee-ton-tegen-pedonetwerk-complotdenker-knevel-afgewezen-gemeente-bestudeert-uitspraak~a2445467/) [€200,000 in damages from pedophile network conspiracy theorist Knevel denied, municipality is looking into decision]. *Algemeen Dagblad* (in Dutch). Retrieved 18 September 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Kuiper, Rik; Verhagen, Laurens (16 September 2022). ["Bodegraven vs. Twitter: dorp is klaar met complottheorie"](https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/bodegraven-vs-twitter-dorp-is-klaar-met-complottheorie-over-pedofielennetwerk~b1cae3aaa/) [Bodegraven v. Twitter: Village is fed up with conspiracy theory]. *de Volkskrant* (in Dutch). Retrieved 19 September 2023.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Van de Sanden, Cees (10 February 2023). ["Burgemeesters kunnen best iets doen"](https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/02/10/burgemeesters-kunnen-best-iets-doen-a4156808) [Mayor are able to do something]. *NRC* (in Dutch). Retrieved 20 September 2023.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** ["Van de Sanden (VVD) geïnstalleerd als tijdelijk lid Eerste Kamer"](https://www.eerstekamer.nl/nieuws/20230627/van_de_sanden_vvd_geinstalleerd) [Van de Sanden (VVD) installed as temporary senator]. *Senate* (Press release) (in Dutch). 27 June 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-scrutiny_44-0)** ["Nieuws uit de commissies van 24 March 2026 – Parlementair behandelvoorbehoud Omnibus AI en Omnibus Digitaal opgeheven"](https://www.eerstekamer.nl/nieuws/20260325/nieuws_uit_de_commissies_van_24). Eerste Kamer der Staten‑Generaal. 25 March 2026. Retrieved 25 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-45)** ["Lidmaatschappen C.A.H van de Sanden"](https://www.eerstekamer.nl/commissies?lid=vm4acamtuud5) [Memberships C.A.H. van de Sanden]. *Senate* (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 September 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-46)** ["Lidmaatschappen C.A.H van de Sanden"](https://www.eerstekamer.nl/commissies?lid=vm4acamtuud5) [Memberships C.A.H. van de Sanden]. *Senate* (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 November 2024.

## External links

- [Official Senate page](https://www.eerstekamer.nl/persoon/mr_c_a_h_van_de_sanden_vvd) (in Dutch)

- [Official VVD page](https://www.vvd.nl/profielen/cees-van-der-sanden/) (in Dutch)

v t e Members of the Senate of the Netherlands, 2023–2027 Senate 13 June 2023 – present GroenLinks–Labour Party 14 seats Rosenmöller (leader) Crone Fiers Van Gurp Janssen-van Helvoort Karimi Kluit-Sledsens Martens Ramsodit Recourt Roovers Thijssen Veldhoen Vos (president, 2025–present) Farmer–Citizen Movement 12 seats Lagas (leader) Croll Goossen Griffioen Heijnen Jaspers Klopman Van Knapen Kroon Van Langen-Visbeek Lievense Marquart Scholtz Oplaat Panman Van Wijk Walenkamp People's Party for Freedom and Dem. 9 seats Schippers (leader, 2023–2025) Klip-Martin (leader, 2025–present) Van Ballekom Van den Berg Bruijn (president, 2023–2025) Geerdink Kaljouw Van der Linden Meijer Musa Petersen Van de Sanden Straus Vogels Democrats 66 7 seats Van Meenen (leader) Aerdts Belhirch Croll Dittrich Griffioen Kanis Kilic-Karaasian Moonen Christian Democratic Appeal 6 seats Bovens (leader) Bakker-Klein Doornhof Prins-Modderaar Rietkerk Van Toorenburg Party for Freedom 4 seats Faber-van de Klashorst (leader, 2023–2024) Van Hattem (leader, 2024–present) Bezaan Van Kesteren Van Strien JA21 2 seats Nanninga (leader, 2023–2025) Van Bijsterveld (leader, 2025–present) Baumgarten Socialist Party 3 seats Janssen (leader) Van Aelst-den Uijl Van Apeldoorn Kox Christian Union 3 seats Huizinga-Heringa (leader) Holterhues Talsma Forum for Democracy 3 seats Dessing (leader) Kemperman Van den Oetelaar Party for the Animals (de jure) 2 seats Koffeman (leader, 2023–2025) Visseren-Hamakers (leader, 2025) Nicolaï (leader, 2025–present) Volt 2 seats Perin-Gopie (leader) Hartog Reformed Political Party 2 seats Schalk (leader) Van Dijk De Vries 50Plus 1 seat Van Rooijen (leader) Independent Politics Netherlands 1 seat Van der Goot (leader) Beukering Group 1 seat Beukering (leader) Van de Sanden Group 1 seat Van de Sanden (leader) Visseren-Hamakers Group 1 seat Visseren-Hamakers (leader) Walenkamp Group 1 seat Walenkamp (leader) Van Gasteren Group 1 seat Van Gasteren (leader) See also: Members of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands, 2021–2023 2023–2025 2025–present

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Cees van de Sanden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cees_van_de_Sanden) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cees_van_de_Sanden?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.