Algemene wet bestuursrecht

The General Administrative Law Act, commonly abbreviated as Awb, forms the cornerstone of Dutch administrative law and sets out uniform rules governing administrative authorities in the adoption of decisions and the performance of public-law functions.

The Act is significant in that it affords citizens legal protection against decisions of public authorities and ensures consistency in administrative procedures. Absent these frameworks, procedures would vary substantially from one authority to another.

In practice, the Awb is applied daily in the handling of objections to permits, benefits or enforcement decisions and in the lodging of appeals before the administrative courts.