Let's Think Twice Before We Revise! 'Égalité' as the Foundation of Liability for Lawful Public Sector Acts

22 Pages Posted: 15 Jul 2014

See all articles by Esther Engelhard

Esther Engelhard

Utrecht University - Faculty of Law

Berthy van den Broek

Utrecht University - School of Law; Utrecht University - Centre for Environmental Law and Policy

Ferry de Jong

Utrecht University School of Law

Anne Keirse

Utrecht University - School of Law

Evelien Kezel

Utrecht University

Date Written: June 30, 2014

Abstract

This contribution focuses on the égalité principle as the leading ground for liability after lawful acts by the State, local authorities and public authorities. Two Dutch legislative initiatives are dealt with in particular, that seek to codify, improve and expand égalité liability in administrative law, private law and criminal law. This will make the artificial égalité construction used in private law cases no longer necessary and legal reasoning more transparent. Further, the authors claim that Article 4:126 BW may open the possibility for new types of private law claims to be developed under this umbrella. However, their concerns are that the égalité principle is too vague to create the certainty and uniformity that the legislator aspires towards.

Keywords: state liability, égalité devant les charges publiques, lawful acts, public sector, criminal procedure

Suggested Citation

Engelhard, Esther and van den Broek, Berthy and van den Broek, Berthy and de Jong, Ferry and Keirse, Anne and Kezel, Evelien, Let's Think Twice Before We Revise! 'Égalité' as the Foundation of Liability for Lawful Public Sector Acts (June 30, 2014). Utrecht Law Review, Vol. 10, No. 3, p. 55-76, June 2014, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2465825

Esther Engelhard (Contact Author)

Utrecht University - Faculty of Law ( email )

Janskerkhof 3
Utrecht, 3512 BK
Netherlands

Berthy Van den Broek

Utrecht University - School of Law ( email )

3508 TC Utrecht
Utrecht
Netherlands

Utrecht University - Centre for Environmental Law and Policy ( email )

Domplein 29
Utrecht, 3512
Netherlands

Ferry de Jong

Utrecht University School of Law ( email )

Janskerkhof 3
Utrecht, 3512 BK
Netherlands

HOME PAGE: http://www.uu.nl/staff/fdejong1

Anne Keirse

Utrecht University - School of Law ( email )

3508 TC Utrecht
Utrecht
Netherlands

Evelien Kezel

Utrecht University ( email )

Vredenburg 138
Utrecht, 3511 BG
Netherlands

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