griffierechten

Griffierechten are the fees charged by a court registry for procedural acts performed by the court and its staff. The term derives from the registry function of the court, known as the griffie, and the word for rights or charges. These fees are part of the administrative costs of litigation and are payable to the court.

The scope of griffierechten includes typical registry services linked to court procedures. Examples are the filing of a claim or other pleadings, the registration of documents, copying or certifying copies of documents, issuing certified extracts or copies of judgments, and the service of documents by the court. Fees may also apply for retrieving documents from the court registry or for other official registry actions.

Tariffs and regulation: Griffierechten are regulated by law or by ministerial or regional regulations and are typically laid down in tariff schedules. They are usually due at the time a registry action is requested. In some cases, exemptions or reductions may apply, for example for certain indigent parties or specific types of proceedings, and rules can vary by jurisdiction or court level. Non-payment can delay or block procedural steps.

Role of the griffier: The griffier is the court clerk responsible for the registry and records. This official handles the intake of documents, recording of proceedings, maintenance of the court file, and issuance of official documents and copies. The griffier also ensures that griffierechten are collected where applicable.

Modern context: With digital court systems, some griffierechten can be paid electronically, and documents can be requested or certified online. Nevertheless, the underlying principle remains: griffierechten are the statutory fees associated with registry services in court proceedings.