If you win an objection or appeal in Zoetermeer, you can apply for reimbursement of court costs. This often concerns a fixed (forfait) amount.
When entitled to court costs reimbursement?
Reimbursement of court costs is possible if:
- Your objection or appeal is (partly) declared well-founded
- The decision is withdrawn due to an error by the administrative authority
- You have explicitly requested reimbursement
Which costs are reimbursed?
| Type of costs | Reimbursement |
|---|---|
| Legal assistance | Based on points system |
| Expert advice | Maximum the actual costs |
| Witness reimbursement | Fixed amount per witness |
| Travel costs | Based on public transport or kilometer allowance |
| Loss of earnings costs | Compensation for lost income |
Points system for legal assistance
The reimbursement for legal assistance follows the Decree on Court Costs in Administrative Law:
- Filing objection notice/notice of appeal: 1 point
- Participation in hearing or session: 1 point
- Value per point: €875 (appeal) or €597 (objection)
- Weighting factor: varies from 0.25 to 2, depending on case complexity
How do you apply for reimbursement?
You must submit a request for court costs reimbursement yourself:
- For objection: before the decision on your objection
- For appeal: during the hearing or in your notice of appeal
Frequently asked questions about court costs reimbursement
Are all my lawyer costs reimbursed?
No, usually you receive a forfait amount that often covers only part of the actual costs.
What if I have not engaged a lawyer?
In that case, you receive no reimbursement for legal assistance, but you do for any travel or loss of earnings costs.
Do I have to pay court costs if I lose?
No, in administrative law, as a citizen you are not ordered to pay court costs upon losing.
Additional information for Zoetermeer
For cases in Zoetermeer, the competent court falls under the district of the District Court of The Hague. For legal support, you can contact the Juridisch Loket Zoetermeer.
Frequently asked questions - Extended
How is my reimbursement for legal assistance calculated?
The calculation is via a points system. An objection notice or notice of appeal yields 1 point, as does a hearing or session. A point is worth €875 (appeal) or €597 (objection), multiplied by a weighting factor between 0.25 and 2, depending on the complexity. Example: 2 points with factor 1.5 in appeal yields 2 × €875 × 1.5 = €2,625.
Can I get costs reimbursed that I incurred before my objection?
No, only costs during the objection or appeal procedure qualify. Costs for advice or investigation before the objection are not reimbursed. However, you can sometimes claim costs for experts or witnesses during the procedure, provided they are requested in time.
What to do if my request is rejected?
If your request is rejected, you can lodge an appeal with the administrative court, for example at the District Court of The Hague. File a notice of appeal within 6 weeks and explain why you disagree, supported by evidence such as invoices.
Do I always get reimbursement in a won case?
Not automatically. You must explicitly request the reimbursement and your case must be (partly) well-founded. The court may limit the reimbursement for unreasonably high costs or if the decision was not entirely incorrect.
How do I claim travel and loss of earnings costs?
Specify these costs in your request. Travel costs are reimbursed based on public transport or a kilometer allowance (€0.19 per km). For loss of earnings costs, you must prove lost income, for example with an employer's statement.
What if my request is late?
If the request is late, the reimbursement may be refused. Submit your request for objection before the decision, and for appeal during the hearing or in your notice of appeal.
Can I get more reimbursement in a complex case?
Yes, in exceptional complexity, the court may increase the weighting factor to a maximum of 2. Substantiate this in your request, for example with an explanation of legal complications or errors by the administrative authority.