Digital Objection Procedures under the General Administrative Law Act in Rijswijk
The General Administrative Law Act (Awb) promotes the digitalisation of objection procedures through Article 3:14a and the Digital Decision-Making Act. In Rijswijk, the municipal objection committees are adapting by conducting online hearings, for example, in cases involving objections to parking fines or building permits in districts such as Innen or Oud-Rijswijk.
Advantages and Requirements in Rijswijk
- Accessibility: Submissions can be made via the Rijswijk Message Box, DigiD, or email to [email protected].
- Security: Authentication with DigiD is mandatory for residents of Rijswijk.
- Equality: The option for an in-person hearing at the municipal office on Bogaardlaan remains available.
Practical Challenges in Rijswijk
Video hearings via the Rijswijk portal save time for civil servants and citizens but require stable internet connections. The judiciary has ruled that digital procedures are equivalent as long as the duty to hear, as stipulated in the Awb, is respected. The municipality of Rijswijk aims for full digitalisation of objection cases by 2025, with pilot projects in 2024 for local taxes.
This modernises administrative law in Rijswijk and increases efficiency for the rapidly growing municipality with over 65,000 residents.