Mandatory representation

In civil cases parties may not act themselves at any point in cassation proceedings. Statutory provisions require them to be represented by a ‘lawyer at the Supreme Court’. Only lawyers with certain quality and experience requirements in the field of litigation in cassation can acquire the title of ‘lawyer at the Supreme Court’.
In criminal cases defendants may lodge appeals in cassation themselves but are required by law to have a lawyer submit the grounds for cassation in writing. The Public Prosecution Service is also allowed to appeal in cassation. Lawyers representing defendants in criminal cases need not be registered with the Hague bar.

In tax cases, the taxpayer or the body demanding payment may both lodge appeals in cassation and submit grounds for cassation, but may also use legal representation.

In all cases lawyers only are entitled to oral pleadings in the Supreme Court.