Administrative Law
Administrative Law in the Netherlands
Facing a decision by the government? We stand up for your rights.
Overview
When a government body makes a decision that affects you — refusing a permit, imposing a penalty, or enforcing a regulation — administrative law governs how that decision is made and how you can challenge it. Law & More assists individuals, entrepreneurs and organisations through every stage of an administrative procedure: from filing an objection (bezwaar) with the relevant authority to lodging an appeal (beroep) before the court and, where necessary, a higher appeal. The General Administrative Law Act (Algemene wet bestuursrecht, Awb) sets strict deadlines and procedural rules, and acting in time is essential. Our lawyers combine in-depth knowledge of administrative law with a practical, personal approach so you always know where you stand.
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When a Dutch government body makes a decision that affects you—whether it’s denying a permit,
What We Do
Objection and appeal procedures (Awb)
Environmental law and the Environment Act (Omgevingswet)
Permit applications and refusals
Enforcement, penalty payments and administrative coercion
Administrative fines
Subsidies: applications, withdrawal and recovery
Freedom of Information requests (Woo)
Compensation for damage and planning blight (nadeelcompensatie / planschade)
Preliminary relief proceedings (voorlopige voorziening)
Disputes with municipalities, provinces and the national government
Bibob procedures and permit revocation
Expropriation and government liability
Representation at hearings and before the administrative court
Why Choose Law & More
Experienced administrative law attorneys
Fast action within short statutory deadlines
In-depth knowledge of the General Administrative Law Act (Awb)
Practical and personal approach
Multilingual service
Netherlands-wide representation
Combined administrative and corporate law expertise
Transparent communication and fixed-fee options
Frequently Asked Questions – Administrative Law
Frequently asked questions about administrative law, answered by our experts.
In most cases you have six weeks from the publication of the decision to file an objection. It is important to monitor this deadline closely, because an objection submitted too late is in principle declared inadmissible.
You first file an objection (bezwaar) with the administrative body that made the decision, which then reconsiders it. If you disagree with the decision on the objection, you can lodge an appeal (beroep) before the district court.
Usually not: the decision in principle remains in force during the procedure. In urgent cases you can request a preliminary relief order (voorlopige voorziening) from the interim relief judge to temporarily suspend the decision.
Yes, legal representation is not mandatory during the objection phase. However, professional support is often advisable, because a well-substantiated objection and strong reasoning significantly increase your chances.
You can file an objection against the refusal of an environmental permit and then lodge an appeal. We assess whether the refusal is legally tenable and conduct the procedure to obtain the permit after all.
With an order subject to a penalty payment (last onder dwangsom) you must pay a sum of money if you do not end a violation within the deadline. With administrative coercion (bestuursdwang) the authority carries out the measure itself and recovers the costs from you.
A preliminary relief order (voorlopige voorziening) is an urgent measure you can request from the interim relief judge to temporarily suspend a decision until the main case is decided. This is useful when a decision threatens to have irreversible consequences.
The duration varies per case. An objection procedure usually takes several months; an appeal before the court can take longer. We give you a realistic estimate for your situation in advance.
Nadeelcompensatie is compensation for damage you suffer due to lawful government action, such as roadworks or a change to the zoning plan. We assess your entitlement to compensation and submit the request.
Under the Open Government Act (Wet open overheid, Woo) you can request information from the government. If an administrative body wrongly refuses to provide information, we can challenge that through objection and appeal.
Administrative fines are financial penalties that a government body can impose itself for violating statutory rules, without involving the criminal court. The fine must be proportionate to the violation, and we can defend you against it.
An administrative body (bestuursorgaan) is an organ of a public authority vested with public power, such as a municipality, province, minister or the municipal executive. The administrative body makes the decisions you can challenge.
If you win, the court can order the administrative body to pay a costs award, and you may recover the court registration fee you paid. The amount is statutorily standardised.
Under the Bibob Act, the government can refuse or revoke a permit if there is a risk it will be misused for criminal activities. We assist you in responding to a Bibob assessment and challenging an unfavourable decision.
Because administrative deadlines are short and procedures are formal, it is wise to seek advice as soon as you receive a decision you disagree with. Early involvement gives the best chance of a favourable outcome.
Key Legal Terms
Important terminology explained in plain language.
General Administrative Law Act (Awb)
The act containing the general rules for the conduct of administrative bodies and for how citizens and businesses can challenge decisions through objection and appeal. The Awb forms the framework for almost all of administrative law.
Decision (Besluit)
A written decision of an administrative body with a public-law legal effect, such as granting a permit or imposing a fine. Only against a decision within the meaning of the Awb is objection and appeal available.
Administrative body (Bestuursorgaan)
An organ of a public authority, or a person or college vested with public power, such as a municipality, province, minister or the municipal executive. The administrative body makes the decisions you can challenge.
Objection (Bezwaar)
The legal remedy by which you ask the administrative body that made the decision to reconsider it. The notice of objection must usually be filed within six weeks of the decision being published.
Appeal (Beroep)
The legal remedy by which you submit a decision on objection to the administrative court. The court then assesses whether the decision was lawfully taken and can be upheld.
Preliminary relief (Voorlopige voorziening)
An urgent measure you can request from the interim relief judge to temporarily suspend a decision while the objection or appeal procedure is pending. An urgent interest is required.
Order subject to a penalty payment (Last onder dwangsom)
An enforcement decision under which you must pay a sum of money if you do not end a violation within the set deadline. The penalty payment is intended to compel compliance.
Administrative coercion (Bestuursdwang)
An enforcement measure under which the administrative body itself acts to end a violation, for example by removing something, and recovers the costs from the offender.
Environmental permit (Omgevingsvergunning)
The permit required for activities such as building, renovating, demolishing or deviating from the zoning plan. Since the Environment Act, many consents have been combined into this single permit.
Administrative fine (Bestuurlijke boete)
A financial penalty that an administrative body can impose itself for violating statutory rules, without involving the criminal court. The fine must be proportionate to the violation.
Compensation for damage (Nadeelcompensatie)
Compensation for damage you suffer due to lawful government action, such as infrastructural works or a change to the zoning plan (planning blight). Disproportionate damage should not be left at your expense.
Open Government Act (Woo)
The act providing that government information is in principle public and giving citizens the right to request information from the government. The Woo replaced the Government Information (Public Access) Act (Wob) in 2022.
Notice of objection (Bezwaarschrift)
The written document in which you set out why you disagree with a decision and ask the administrative body to reconsider it, submitted within the statutory deadline.
Hearing (Hoorzitting)
The session during the objection procedure where you can explain your objection orally to the administrative body before it decides on the objection.
District court (Rechtbank)
The court that hears appeals against decisions on objection in administrative matters. Its administrative law division assesses the lawfulness of the contested decision.
Higher appeal (Hoger beroep)
The legal remedy by which a party submits a court judgment for review to a higher administrative court, such as the Council of State (Raad van State) or the Central Appeals Tribunal.
Council of State (Raad van State)
The highest general administrative court in many cases, whose Administrative Jurisdiction Division rules on higher appeals in areas such as environmental and permit law.
Subsidy (Subsidie)
A financial contribution granted by the government for specified activities. Disputes can arise over the application, determination, withdrawal or recovery of a subsidy.
Bibob
An assessment under the Bibob Act allowing the government to refuse or revoke a permit where there is a serious risk it will be misused for criminal purposes.
Enforcement (Handhaving)
The action by which an administrative body ensures compliance with statutory rules, for example through a penalty payment or administrative coercion. You can both defend against enforcement and request it against an offender.
Expropriation (Onteigening)
The compulsory acquisition of property by the government in the public interest, against full compensation. Strict procedural safeguards apply to protect the owner.
Have Questions About Administrative Law?
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