Public law in Cologne
You can defend yourself against decisions of authorities. We review the decision, file an objection and, if necessary, sue before the administrative court.
Typical matters
- Review of official decisions
- Objection proceedings
- Action before the administrative court
- Disputes with authorities
Important: The deadline for objection or action is stated in the decision and is often only one month. Act early.
Good to know
- Do not ignore a decision: the deadline starts with notification, even if you do not understand it.
- If necessary, request access to the file from the authority to see what the decision is based on.
- In North Rhine-Westphalia the objection procedure has been abolished in many areas. An action can then be filed directly. We check which route is open.
Competent bodies: The first instance is the Cologne administrative court; the next instance is the Higher Administrative Court of North Rhine-Westphalia in Münster.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an objection and an action?
The objection is first addressed to the authority itself. The action goes to the administrative court. Which route is open depends on the decision.
How long do objection proceedings take?
That depends on the authority and the individual case. We cannot give a general duration.
Does an objection have suspensive effect?
In many cases yes (§ 80 VwGO). There are exceptions, for example if the authority orders immediate enforcement. We check this case by case.
The information on this page is general and does not replace legal advice in an individual case.