Judicial procedure

The cases before the Supreme Administrative Court are decided by chambers composed of five judges. In cases referred to in the Water Act and the Environmental Protection Act as well as in cases concerning certain intellectual property rights such as patents, the chamber is composed of the judges and two expert members having competence in the relevant field.

When refusing leave to appeal, a chamber may be composed of three judges.

Cases involving a significant interest may be decided by a composition of all the judges of the Chamber, or be subject to the Court's plenary review.

After the institution of proceedings in the Supreme Administrative Court, a notary and a departmental secretary carry out an initial preparation of the case, including compilation of the case file and of the parties’ written submissions and observations. Before the examination of the case by a chamber, the referendary establishes the questions of law and the facts of the case and prepares a draft decision. The deliberations and the issue of the decision take place after the referendary has presented his or her written and oral statements in the chamber's session.

In order to establish the facts of the case, the Supreme Administrative Court may arrange an on-site inspection or an oral hearing if necessary. Inspections are mainly arranged in cases relating to the environment.