Administrative Lawyers
We represent individuals and companies before the administrative courts and in challenges to government decisions.
Overview
A dispute with a government body is not a commercial dispute. It has its own court — the administrative court (Board of Grievances) — with strict deadlines and different evidential rules. An administrative decision remains in force until annulled, which alone explains why timing matters more in administrative disputes than the strength of the argument.
We handle challenges to administrative decisions seeking annulment or compensation: penalties and fines, refusal or withdrawal of licences, termination of government contracts, exclusion decisions in tenders, and public sector employment disputes.
Before filing we verify three things: is the decision challengeable? Have the required administrative grievances been exhausted? And are we within the appeal period? A failure on any one of them ends the claim on procedural grounds before anyone examines its merits.
The legal framework
The administrative judiciary has its own law, jurisdiction and procedure:
- The Board of Grievances Law and the jurisdiction of the administrative courts
- The rules of procedure before the Board and the appeal periods
- The elements of an administrative decision and grounds for annulment: competence, form, cause and purpose
- The Government Tenders and Procurement Law in public contract disputes
- Disciplinary and civil service rules in employee disputes
- The rules on compensation for damage caused by unlawful decisions
Situations we handle
A fine or penalty from a regulator
We review the basis of the decision and the procedure followed. Many penalties are annulled for a procedural defect rather than on the merits.
Refusal or withdrawal of a licence
A negative decision is challengeable too. What matters is proving a complete application was filed and pinning the refusal date precisely.
Termination of a government contract
Government contracts have their own rules on termination and compensation, quite different from private contracts.
A disciplinary decision against an employee
An administrative grievance before litigation is usually a precondition. Skipping it leads to dismissal on procedural grounds.
Compensation for loss from a wrongful decision
Annulment alone does not compensate. A damages claim requires proof of fault, loss and the causal link between them.
Costly mistakes we see
- 1
Missing the appeal period
The period is short and the right lapses with it, however defective the decision. This is the leading cause of losing claims that were winnable.
- 2
Skipping a mandatory administrative grievance
Some decisions require a grievance to the entity before litigation. Filing directly ends in inadmissibility.
- 3
Challenging a non-final step
Not every letter is a challengeable administrative decision. Identifying the correct decision is a condition of admissibility.
- 4
Relying on friendly correspondence
Correspondence does not stop time running. File within the period, then continue negotiating in parallel.
How the procedure runs, step by step
Challenges to administrative decisions are heard by the Administrative Court of the Board of Grievances, and the limitation period is sixty days from knowledge of the decision. That period is the first thing that extinguishes the right.
- 1
Characterise the decision and fix the date of knowledge
We distinguish a final, challengeable administrative decision from a material act or a preparatory step. The date of definite knowledge starts the clock, and we prove it by document rather than estimate.
- 2
Prior administrative grievance
In defined cases a grievance to the authority is either a condition or a useful option, and it opens the route to withdrawal of the decision without litigation. We file it in writing with a delivery record that preserves the date.
- 3
File the annulment claim
The claim is filed before the competent Administrative Court, founded on the grounds of legality: lack of jurisdiction, defect of form, breach of the regulation, or abuse of power. Identifying the defect is the substance of the case.
- 4
Apply for suspension of execution
Where executing the decision would cause irreparable harm, we apply urgently for suspension. A demolition or cancellation already carried out turns a later annulment into compensation rather than restoration.
- 5
Judgment, compensation and appeal
Annulment restores the prior position and a claim for damages may be added. The judgment is appealable to the Administrative Court of Appeal within the statutory period.
Documents we will ask you for
- A copy of the challenged administrative decision
- Evidence of the date of notification or knowledge
- Any grievance filed with the authority and its reply
- The licence or contract affected by the decision
- Evidence of the harm caused by execution
- Correspondence with the administrative body
Fees and timelines
Administrative files are priced by stage: reviewing the decision and identifying grounds, preparing the administrative grievance, then the claim before the administrative court and appeal. Each stage carries a written scope and fee.
On timing: reviewing the decision and preparing the challenge takes one to three weeks depending on documents. The claim itself usually runs six months to over a year, with appeal adding further time.
Common questions
What is the deadline to challenge an administrative decision?
The period is short, set by the regulations, and runs from knowledge, publication or notification of the decision. Missing it extinguishes the right however defective the decision, so the first practical step is fixing the date of knowledge precisely.
Which decisions can be challenged?
A final decision issued by an administrative body that affects a legal position. Preliminary correspondence and internal steps are not challengeable decisions, and identifying the right one is a condition of admissibility.
Is an administrative grievance mandatory?
In defined cases yes, and it is then a condition of admissibility. We verify this first, because filing before exhausting a required grievance ends in dismissal without any examination of the merits.
Does the decision take effect while the challenge is pending?
As a rule an administrative decision remains in force unless suspended. A stay can be sought where its conditions are met and enforcement would cause harm that is difficult to remedy.
How long does an administrative claim take?
Usually six months to more than a year at first instance, with appeal adding further time. Duration varies with the nature of the dispute and how quickly the administrative body responds.
Can we claim compensation?
Yes, for damage arising from an unlawful decision, on proof of fault, loss and causation. It is usually brought with the annulment application or after it, depending on the circumstances.
Do these claims cover government contract disputes?
Yes. Disputes over the performance and termination of government contracts fall within administrative jurisdiction and are governed in large part by the procurement regime.
Do we need a lawyer before the administrative court?
It is not a formal requirement in every case, but administrative claims fail on procedure far more often than on the merits — deadlines, identifying the decision, the grievance requirement — and those are precisely the common errors.
Related services
Public Procurement Lawyers
We help suppliers qualify and compete for government contracts, and challenge award decisions.
Court Pleading Lawyers
We prepare statements of claim, defence memoranda and appeal briefs with a focused argument.
Criminal Defence Lawyers
We engage early in criminal matters, from investigation through trial, to protect the client's rights at every stage.
Where we provide this service
We act for clients across every region of the Kingdom. Most stages run remotely, and we attend before the competent authority in your region when needed.