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

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