Administrative Law and Administrative Procedure
Core concepts
Administrative law is organised around the Algemene wet bestuursrecht (Awb). Know the concept of a besluit (art. 1:3 Awb) and the distinction between a beschikking (individual decision) and a besluit van algemene strekking. Study the requirements for a valid decision: bevoegdheid, zorgvuldigheid, motivering, and the prohibition of détournement de pouvoir and willekeur. Know the principles of good administration (algemene beginselen van behoorlijk bestuur): legal certainty, legitimate expectations, equality, proportionality, and fair play.
Procedure is central: the uniform openbare voorbereidingsprocedure, the bezwaarschrift procedure, the role of the bezwaarschriftencommissie, and beroep at the bestuursrechter. Know the standing rules (belanghebbende, art. 1:2 Awb), the possibility of a voorlopige voorziening, and the rules on damages for unlawful decisions (nadeelcompensatie and schadevergoeding). Also know the hierarchy of rules: wet, AMvB, ministeriële regeling, and the role of the constitution and international treaties.
Traps
A frequent trap is treating a decision that is not a beschikking as appealable in the same way. Another is missing the terms for filing bezwaar and beroep. Distinguish the legality review from a full merits review: the court does not substitute its own policy judgment. Watch the difference between a voornemen and a definitief besluit.
Worked rule of thumb
For any administrative problem, first ask: is this a besluit? Then: who is the competent authority, was the procedure followed, and is the decision sufficiently motivated? Only then address substantive review.
Key points
- Identify whether the act is a besluit and whether it is a beschikking.