The development of legal aid in the Netherlands is described, in particular, the history of the two main organizations, the Citizens' Advice Bureaus & the Legal Advice Bureaus. Focus is on the development of demands for assistance, the causes of the explosive growth of these demands, the organization of assistance, professionalization, & the process of assistance. These issues are examined in relation to the development of the Dutch welfare state. 6 Tables. W. H. Stoddard