The court cost rate (liquidatietarief) is the fixed scale Dutch district courts and courts of appeal use to calculate the lawyer’s fee in a procedural costs order under article 237 of the Dutch Code of Civil Procedure (Rv). It is not set by statute but agreed within the judiciary. The current scale applies from 1 February 2026.
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How does the liquidatietarief work?
Each procedural step earns points, and the value of the claim determines what a point is worth. Each written submission before the oral hearing counts as 1 point (maximum 2), the oral hearing as 1 point and a witness hearing as 1 point. The court multiplies the points by the value per point of the relevant tariff group.
What are the 2026 rates?
There are eight tariff groups. Some examples for district courts from 1 February 2026:
- Tariff I (claims below €10,000): €554 per point, maximum 5 points
- Tariff III (€20,000 to €40,000): €836 per point, maximum 7 points
- Tariff IV (€40,000 to €98,000): €1,290 per point, maximum 10 points
- Tariff VIII (above €1,000,000): €4,631 per point, no maximum
Courts of appeal use higher amounts, for example €2,352 per point in tariff IV. A defendant in a €30,000 claim who files a defence and attends the hearing is awarded 2 × €836 = €1,672.
Does it cover my actual legal costs?
Usually not. The amount is fixed regardless of the hours spent, so a winning party often bears much of its own lawyer’s fees. Court fees (griffierecht) and bailiff costs are reimbursed on top. Subdistrict court cases and summary proceedings have their own separate rates. Full cost recovery is the exception, for example in intellectual property cases (article 1019h Rv).
Frequently asked questions
Is the court bound by the tariff?
No, but courts follow it in almost every case. Departing from it requires special circumstances, such as abuse of procedure.
What are post-judgment costs?
After the judgment, the winner can claim fixed follow-up costs (nasalaris) of €189, plus €98 if the judgment has to be served.
Related terms
- Procedural costs order (proceskostenveroordeling)
- Writ of summons proceedings
- Appeal in civil cases
- Debt collection costs
Our civil law team can estimate your cost risk before you start or defend a case. Want to know what this means for your situation? Book a free introductory meeting.
