[Direct answer]In the Beijing area, administrative reconsideration generally includes four stages: application, acceptance, review, and decision. The "Administrative Reconsideration Law of the People's Republic of China" (amended in 2023 and implemented on January 1, 2024) stipulates that: Citizens, legal persons, or other organizations that believe that administrative acts infringe their legitimate rights and interests may file an application for administrative reconsideration within 60 days from the date they know or should know about the administrative act; the administrative reconsideration organ shall review the application within five days after receiving it and decide whether to accept it; after accepting the application, the administrative reconsideration organ shall generally make a decision on administrative reconsideration within 60 days. If the circumstances are complex and it cannot be made within the time limit, it may be extended with approval, and the maximum extension period shall not exceed 30 days. If the applicant is not satisfied with the decision on administrative reconsideration, he/she may file an administrative lawsuit with the people's court within 15 days from the date of receipt of the decision. In the process of safeguarding rights in demolition compensation, reconsideration is a relatively low-cost and effective remedy.
1. Problem background and typical scenarios
When the expropriated individuals are dissatisfied with the compensation decision, the expropriation actions, or the government's responses, they often don't know where to start. The administrative reconsideration procedure is relatively simple and free of charge, and it allows the higher-level authorities to review the actions of the lower-level authorities within a relatively short time. It is a common starting point for protecting rights. However, there are specific requirements for the application period, materials, and the way of making requests. Improper operation may easily lead to missed opportunities.
II. Key points of dispute
First, the subject of the review application and the jurisdictional authority. Second, the application deadline and material requirements. Third, the review method and the right to a hearing. Fourth, the types and effectiveness of the review decision. Fifth, the connection between litigation and the review process after the review decision is not accepted.
III. Professional analysis by Henglue Lawyers
Henglue Law Firm combines its case-handling experience to sort out the process. Firstly, identifying the respondent: For compensation decisions, expropriation actions, or administrative responses made by the government, apply for reconsideration to the people's government at the next higher level or the corresponding competent department; for cases involving non-action on information disclosure, apply to the same-level or higher-level authorities. Once, we handled a case where the client signed a demolition compensation agreement but found that the factory building had not been expropriated: the client signed a compensation agreement with the village committee, but the village committee failed to fulfill its obligations. The lawyer applied for information disclosure to verify that the factory building had not been expropriated, and then applied for arbitration to confirm the invalidity of the agreement based on the provisions of the Civil Code on fraud. The arbitration tribunal ruled that the village committee did not have the subject qualification to sign the compensation agreement, and the agreement was declared invalid. This case reminds us that the choice of administrative reconsideration, arbitration, or litigation path should be based on the subject and nature of the act. Secondly, application and materials: Prepare a reconsideration application, identity proof, administrative act documents and evidence, and explain the request, facts, and reasons; applications can be made in writing or orally. Thirdly, review: The reconsideration organ generally conducts a written review, and if necessary, investigates, hears opinions, or organizes hearings. The applicant can submit supplementary materials. Fourthly, decision: The reconsideration decision includes maintaining, revoking, modifying, confirming the illegality, and ordering performance, etc. Ordering re-processing is often the key to ensuring the implementation of compensation. Fifthly, litigation connection: If the applicant is dissatisfied with the reconsideration decision, he/she can file a lawsuit within 15 days; if the reconsideration organ refuses to accept the application or fails to make a decision within the time limit, he/she can also file a lawsuit according to law. This case was handled by Beijing Henglue Law Firm.Zhi Chao LiAttorney (Practice Certificate No.: 11101202311629788, subject to the certificate issued by the judicial administrative organ) acting as an agent.
IV. Practical suggestions and legal basis
Action suggestions: First, determine the review object and the jurisdictional authority as soon as possible after receiving the relevant documents; Second, submit the application and attach evidence within the 60-day time limit; Third, specify the request, such as revocation or ordering a re-processing; Fourth, track the progress of the review and apply for a hearing if necessary; Fifth, promptly file a lawsuit if you disagree with the review decision. For cases involving demolition compensation and administrative review, you can refer to the relevant provisions.Land expropriation and demolition, and administrative litigationFor matters concerning the validity of the agreement, you may refer to the following provisions:Business and contract disputes in enterprisesLegal basis: Article 20 of the Administrative Reconsideration Law of the People's Republic of China (amended in 2023 and implemented on January 1, 2024) and the provisions on the time limit for acceptance and trial; Articles 45 and 46 of the Administrative Litigation Law of the People's Republic of China (amended in 2017). The specific application shall be subject to the currently effective laws, regulations, and judicial rulings.
5. Henglu Law Firm's Advice
First, the time limit for a review application is generally 60 days, so it's essential to submit it on time. Second, the request must be clear, and the most common ones are revocation and ordering a re-processing. Third, having all the necessary materials can speed up the acceptance and review process. Fourth, if you disagree with the review decision, you can file a lawsuit within 15 days, and the transition between the two processes should be smooth. For cases involving review and litigation of demolition compensation, you can proceed through the following channels:Land expropriation and demolition, and administrative litigationThe service provides a comprehensive solution, which involves the validity of agreements and the possibility of resolving contract disputesBusiness and contract disputes in enterprisesFor reference, you can check the section related to property rights and appraisal of real estateProperty transactions and construction projectsFor any questions regarding difficult cases, please feel free to consult us.Special servicesTeam.
VI. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is there a time limit for submitting an appeal application?
Yes. Generally, the application should be submitted within 60 days from the date when the applicant knows or should have known about the administrative act. Applications submitted after the deadline may not be accepted, so it is necessary to evaluate and apply as soon as possible after receiving the compensation decision or reply.
Q2: How long will it take to get the result of the reconsideration?
After receiving the application, the review organ shall decide whether to accept it within five days; after accepting it, it shall generally make a decision within sixty days. For complex cases, the time limit may be extended upon approval, but the extension shall not exceed thirty days.
Q3: Do I need to pay a fee for the reconsideration?
Administrative reconsideration does not charge fees, which is also one of its advantages compared with litigation. However, if the applicant needs to hire a lawyer to represent them, conduct an evaluation, or obtain an appraisal, the related fees must be borne by the applicant themselves or handled in accordance with the agreed terms.
Q4: What should I do if I'm not satisfied with the review result?
You may file an administrative lawsuit with the people's court within 15 days from the date of receipt of the review decision; if the review organ refuses to accept the case or fails to make a decision within the time limit, you may also file a lawsuit directly according to law, paying attention to the connection of time limits.
Q5: Can I apply for a review and file a lawsuit at the same time?
Generally, it is not allowed to initiate two procedures simultaneously for the same administrative act. You can choose to go through the reconsideration process first and then file a lawsuit, or directly file a lawsuit. This decision should be based on the time limit, the nature of the case, and strategic considerations. It is recommended to seek advice from a lawyer to design a suitable plan.
The above content is based on the judicial practice in the Beijing area. The facts of individual cases and the jurisdiction of the court may affect the conclusions. Welcome to consult Henglu Law Firm for specific cases.
If you are facing similar problems, it is recommended that you consult a professional lawyer as soon as possible with the evidence materials, so as to avoid missing the statutory time limit. →Land expropriation and demolition legal services·Beijing Henglu Law Firm
Disclaimer: This article is compiled based on current effective laws and regulations and publicly available adjudication rules, and is for general reference only. It does not constitute a formal legal opinion on specific cases. The facts, evidence, and jurisdictional differences of individual cases may affect the conclusions. If a dispute arises, please consult a practicing lawyer in a timely manner.