Conducting an appeal yourself? Discover the possibilities!

Questioner

Can I plead my case on appeal myself?

Lawyer

Day, yes that is allowed and seems to be an (unknown) exception to the mandatory legal representation. I do advise however to close it with your lawyer.

Questioner

Thank you Mrs Ferwerda. I will certainly do that. There has already been a plea in summary proceedings where the opposing party requested a suspension to execute shares linked to the appeal. The opposing party again requested a plea, they were too late... but they were still right. I have already won 3 lawsuits and the costs are simply getting out of hand. It concerns a civil law substantive procedure. I hope it is possible. Because according to my lawyer, nothing new has been added or changed to the case. Thank you

Lawyer

Ir/Madam, In the Netherlands, you will in principle need a lawyer to litigate before the civil court. However, this does not apply if you litigate before the subdistrict court and in some cases before the judge in summary proceedings. Given the fact that your case concerns substantive proceedings before the civil court, I see no possibilities for you to litigate independently. The other exceptions that Mrs. Ferwerda refers to are only suitable for very specific cases.

Questioner

I was planning to write to my lawyer about this today. Unfortunately... Still think he writes too many hours for a file he knows inside out... Nice day,