Frequently asked questions
What is the added value of an NRGD registration for me as an expert?
Being registered in the NRGD is a legal recognition of your qualities as an expert. Publishing your data makes it easier for potential clients to find you, as a result of which you may receive more frequent requests to contribute your expertise. Registration also means that the Dutch Public Prosecution Service can appoint you directly as an expert and there is no obligation to state reasons, as would normally be the case when an expert is called on during a trial.
What is the added value of the NRGD for me as a user of the register?
The experts in the register were assessed by an independent committee using objective criteria for quality, reliability and professional competence. You can be assured, therefore, that registered experts are competent at their profession.
Calling on a registered expert also removes the legal requirement to state the reasons for which a person can be designated an expert, saving you time and effort. Furthermore, the register saves you a lot of time searching, and by using it you help improve the quality of the justice system.
Why aren’t all fields of expertise standardised?
The NRGD is constantly working to standardise as many fields of expertise as possible. Standardising an area of expertise requires:
- A demand for this from the field.
- A well-defined field of expertise: a field of which it can be assumed that useful, objective and reliable information is available.
- A field that is developed to the extent that, using shared norms, findings relating to the field can be assessed and accounted for.
It is not possible, however, to standardise every area of expertise. So as to still allow quality assurance regarding non-registered experts, five ad-hoc instruments for use by commissioning parties and experts have been developed.
How do I apply to be registered?
From our website, you can download an application pack specific to your area of expertise. This pack includes all forms you are required to fill in and submit.
Can foreign experts also apply to be registered?
Yes, they can.
Opening up the register to foreign experts has led to the availability of more registered experts who can report. Among other things, this means there are more experts who can provide a second opinion.
Must I request a Certificate of Conduct (VOG)?
You are required to include an original Certificate of Conduct (VOG) in your application. The VOG must not be older than three months counting from the day of its receipt by the NRGD. Older VOGs and copies of VOGs will not be admitted.
Make sure the VOG includes the description as found on the VOG application form on the NRGD website: ‘Registration as court expert in the Netherlands Register of Court Experts (NRGD)’. VOGs containing any other description will not be admitted.
Do I need to provide references?
No, there is no need for references.
Do I need to be assessed by the NRGD if my (professional) organisation has assessed me recently?
Yes: every expert is assessed by an independent Advisory Committee for Assessments, even if your (professional) organisation has just (re-)registered you.
Can I apply to register in several fields or subfields of expertise at once?
Yes, you can. You only need to submit one registration form. All other requested documents, however, must be submitted separately for each area.. Under certain conditions, you may file a case report for two or more subfields of expertise as long as the subfields occur in the filed report. The relevant conditions for your application can be found in the Standards of your field of expertise.
What is meant by continued professional development?
Continued professional development means: ‘All (training) activities that contribute to the ongoing development of knowledge and skills, which is desirable and necessary for the continued ability to exercise the profession of court expert responsibly and professionally.’
To qualify for registration in the NRGD, you must declare the number of hours spent on the promotion of expertise. The required number of hours can be found in the Standards of the field of expertise in which you wish to register.
How does the NRGD assess my application?
When you submit an application, an independent Advisory Committee for Assessments is appointed, consisting of two experts in the field and one legal assessor. Any objections to the appointments will be taken into account whenever possible.
The Committee will evaluate your application and submit its advice to the Board of Court Experts. If the Committee finds it has insufficient information about your competences, you may be asked to submit additional information or to explain your application orally.
Partly on the basis of the advice it receives, the NRGD Board will decide on your application.
Who are the members of the Advisory Committee for Assessments?
The Committee consists of two experts in the field and one legal assessor. Although the NRGD aims for the field experts who act as assessors to also be registered themselves, this is not a mandatory requirement. The requirements that assessors must meet, can be found in the NRGD Assessment Regulations.
How long does the assessment procedure take?
The assessment procedure takes an average of three to four months, depending on several factors. For example, the standard procedure may be delayed in case of objections to Committee appointments, or if the Committee requests an extra case report or an oral explanation.
If you have applied to re-register, you will remain listed in the register for the full duration of the assessment procedure. As long as the assessment procedure takes, you may continue reporting.
Why have I been asked to explain my application orally?
You will be asked to provide an oral explanation if the Advisory Committee for Assessment finds the submitted documents do not allow for a sufficiently clear understanding of your competences. Being invited to provide an oral explanation does not automatically mean that the Committee is planning to reject your application.
How long will my (conditional) registration be valid for?
A conditional registration is valid for two years. An unconditional registration is valid for five years.
What is conditional registration?
If you do not (yet) fully meet the requirements of article 12(2), sub a–i of the Brdis, or do not (yet) have enough work of your own, you may qualify for conditional registration.
In the first case, a single issue still requires improving. You will be registered for a two-year period, subject to at least one condition. You will need to demonstrate having met this condition or these conditions in order to qualify for unconditional registration in two years’ time.
In the second case, you will be registered for a two-year period subject to the condition that you write and sign at least the required number of reports independently within these two years.
Our website does not indicate whether your registration is conditional or unconditional.
Can I be conditionally registered twice?
Yes, you can, but this is a rare exception.
The Board of Court Experts may decide about a second conditional registration when the new condition concerns a different aspect of article 12 Brdis or when you were not able to fulfil the conditions due to force majeure.
Which data are published on the NRGD website upon registration?
Following registration, your name, field of expertise and contact details will be published on our website.
When should I apply to re-register?
The NRGD must receive your application to re-register not earlier than six months and not later than the day before the legal expiry date of your registration. About six months before this expiry date, you will receive an email explaining what you need to do to apply to re-register.
How can I apply to re-register?
An application to re-register works the same way as an initial application. You can download the application pack from our website; on the application form you can specify that this concerns a re-registration. The Standardsset out the requirements for re-registration.
How can I apply to re-register after being conditionally registered?
An application to re-register after you have been conditionally registered, works the same way as an initial application to register. You can download the application pack from our website; on the application form you can specify that this concerns a re-registration following on conditional registration. The Standards set out the requirements for re-registration.
What can I do if I disagree with the decision of the NRGD Board?
ou can submit a notice of objection within six weeks of the date on which the decision was sent. Your notice of objection will be considered by the Advisory Committee for Objections, which will advise the Board of Court Experts on the matter. In principle, the Board has twelve weeks to reach a decision. The Board can extend the decision period once by a six-week period.
If you disagree with the Board’s new decision, you may appeal to the administrative court. You must separately request a preliminary injunction from the provisional relief court to suspend the initial decision and, if applicable, your removal from the register.