Revision of an Irrevocable Judgment in Leiden
In Leiden, the revision of an irrevocable judgment offers a rare option in administrative law to review a final judicial decision under extraordinary circumstances. This provides residents of Leiden with a last chance to challenge injustice while maintaining legal certainty. We discuss the rules, steps, and local practices, with attention to institutions such as the Rechtbank Leiden.
What does revision of an irrevocable judgment entail?
Within general administrative law, a judgment is considered irrevocable once all objection and appeal options have been exhausted, such as at the Rechtbank Leiden or higher courts. Typically, such a decision is final and no longer challengeable. Revision is an exception, allowing the administrative judge to reopen the case. It involves a targeted request to the administrative judge, for example at the Rechtbank Leiden, to modify or suspend the judgment.
Revision comes into play with newly discovered facts or serious errors, such as fraud or incorrect application of the law. It focuses on rectifying injustice without destabilizing the legal system in Leiden and beyond. This article expands on our overview of revision of a judgment, emphasizing irrevocable cases for residents of Leiden.
Legal basis
The procedure for revising irrevocable judgments is outlined in the General Administrative Law Act (Awb), particularly Article 8:113 Awb. This article specifies the precise conditions. Article 8:114 Awb governs the procedure, including deadlines and judicial authority, relevant for cases at the Rechtbank Leiden.
Under Article 8:113 Awb, revision is possible if:
- The judgment relies on deception by a party;
- New facts or evidence emerge after the judgment that invalidate the decision and could not have been introduced earlier;
- The judgment conflicts with a later decision in a similar case (legal correction);
- There are clear indications of a motivational error that renders the judgment invalid.
These rules stem from principles of good governance and the right to a fair trial, as set out in the Constitution and Article 6 ECHR. Rulings from the Supreme Court and Council of State clarify the strict application, focusing on the exceptional nature for residents of Leiden.
Conditions for revision
The conditions are limited and thoroughly scrutinized. We explain them below:
Deception or fraud
If the judge has been deceived, such as through false documents, revision may succeed. New evidence is essential to demonstrate this at the Rechtbank Leiden.
Emerging facts or evidence
Facts that only become known after the judgment and could not have been used earlier form a key condition. For example, a recently discovered error in an administrative file from the Municipality of Leiden.
Conflict with a later judgment
If a higher court later identifies inconsistency in a similar case, this can justify revision for uniformity in the Leiden legal system.
The judge at the Rechtbank Leiden assesses whether the condition is sufficiently compelling; minor arguments are dismissed.
The procedure in Leiden
You must submit the request for revision to the Rechtbank Leiden, the body that issued the original judgment. The deadline is three months from the discovery of the condition (Article 8:114, paragraph 2, Awb), with a maximum limit of ten years in certain cases.
- Submit the request: Explain the conditions and attach evidence, possibly with assistance from The Legal Aid Desk Leiden.
- Review by the judge: The Rechtbank Leiden examines whether the request is admissible; if so, a hearing follows.
- Judgment: The judge may revise, uphold, or reject the decision. No appeal is possible against this ruling.
The procedure is free of charge, but consult The Legal Aid Desk Leiden for free advice or subsidized assistance to cover lawyer costs.
Practical examples from Leiden
Suppose a resident of Leiden loses a case regarding a social benefit because the Municipality of Leiden assumes fraud. Years later, evidence is found to have been falsified by an official. Revision based on deception could lead to revocation and compensation.
Another case: In a building permit in Leiden, the Rechtbank Leiden relies on outdated environmental regulations. If later legislation is stricter and a similar case confirms this, revision could modify the permit, aligning with local developments around the University or the city center.
These examples illustrate the practical value for residents of Leiden, but success requires solid evidence and often support from The Legal Aid Desk Leiden.
Rights and obligations of parties
Rights of the applicant:
- Right to a thorough revision if the request succeeds.
- Right to a hearing with mutual input.
- Protection against double jeopardy (ne bis in idem).
Obligations:
- The applicant must share all facts and not act out of self-interest.
- The opposing party, such as the Municipality of Leiden, must cooperate with the investigation.
Overview in table form of revision versus regular appeal:
| Aspect | Revision | Regular Appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Exceptional reopening due to new facts | Normal challenge of a decision |
| Timeframe | 3 months after discovery, max 10 years | Within 6 weeks of notification |
| Institution | Rechtbank Leiden (original judge) | Administrative judge or higher |
| Appeal possible | No | Yes, to higher appeal |
Veelgestelde vragen
Wat is mijn retourrecht?
Bij online aankopen heb je 14 dagen retourrecht zonder opgaaf van reden, tenzij de wettelijke uitzonderingen gelden.
Hoe lang geldt de wettelijke garantie?
Goederen moeten minimaal 2 jaar meewerken. Defecten die binnen 6 maanden ontstaan worden verondersteld al aanwezig te zijn.
Kan ik rente eisen over schulden?
Ja, je kunt wettelijke rente eisen (momenteel ongeveer 8% per jaar) over het openstaande bedrag.
Wat kan ik doen tegen oneerlijke handelspraktijken?
Je kunt klacht indienen bij de consumentenbond, de overheid of naar de rechter gaan.
Wat is een kredietovereenkomst?
Een kredietovereenkomst regelt hoe je geld leent, wat de rente is, en hoe je dit terugbetaalt.