The Dutch Act on Special Admissions by Psychiatric Hospitals (Wet bijzondere opnemingen in psychiatrische ziekenhuizen (bopz)) has recently been broadened to include a clause on conditional compulsory admission (voorwaardelijke machtiging). If the patient follows the treatment arrangements imposed by a judge, compulsory admission can be suspended. In a retrospective study in the Rotterdam region the number of cases was traced that could have been considered for conditional compulsory admission. Over one-third of the compulsory admissions could probably have been eligible for the conditional compulsory admission. For these patients the new measure is a welcome supplement to the Special Admissions Act.