Administrative Law

What Is Administrative Law?

In administrative law, a citizen challenges decisions made by state authorities and public bodies on matters established by law—typically through an administrative petition. The Administrative Court is empowered to review these petitions, thereby providing judicial oversight of the authority’s actions.

When Can an Administrative Petition Be Filed?

Filing an administrative petition is subject to strict time limits. In most cases, the petition must be submitted within 45 days from the moment the decision becomes known. Any delay in filing may result in the petition’s dismissal, even if it is ultimately submitted within the statutory period. Therefore, it is advisable to act quickly and seek legal advice as soon as possible.

What Does the Petition Process Involve?

An administrative petition is initiated by submitting a formal petition document to the court. This document should include:

A detailed explanation of the decision being challenged
Any previous correspondence with the authority
Legal arguments supporting the annulment of the decision
An affidavit affirming the accuracy of the facts presented

It is crucial to file the petition against the appropriate authority and include any party that might be affected by the requested remedy (for example, a private company impacted by the authority’s decision). Failure to include all relevant respondents may lead to the petition being dismissed.

What Are the Costs and Risks?

Filing an administrative petition involves paying a fee along with additional expenses such as attorney fees. Since this is a complex process requiring specialized expertise, the legal fees can be relatively high and are not contingent on the remedy sought, which is typically non-monetary. Therefore, securing professional legal representation by an experienced attorney familiar with both administrative law and the relevant authority is critical to a successful outcome.

How Can You Increase Your Chances of Success?

The administrative petition process differs from a typical civil lawsuit and demands specialized knowledge of administrative law and the procedures of the Administrative Court. Success depends on submitting a well-reasoned and precisely documented petition, meeting all deadlines, and including all necessary documentation.

If you have been adversely affected by a decision from a local authority, government agency, or another public body, you have the option to act. Our firm specializes in representing administrative petitions and defending your rights against the authorities. For an initial legal consultation, contact us today.