Access to justice

Laws relating access to justice in environmental matters are not contained in a one-piece document; the most comprehensive document for now is arguably the Aarhus convention to which The Netherlands is a signatory. However the Wet Openbaarheid van Bestuur is rich with what legal steps a company or an individual may take to seek redress in environmental issues. Use of websites
Many municipalities are increasingly utilizing Internet to publish information considered of spatial and environmental relevance. Even though this is not a legal requirement it is generally thought to be effective and good.

• Active Information
  It is a legal requirement and the norm of the municipalities to actively inform person/s who are considered to be directly affected if a license is issued to a company, whose house may be demolished due to a road construction etc.
• Issue of representation
  People seeking justice in the highest administrative court chambers do not need a lawyer or a legal persona for representation. This is of great significance as financial consideration usually excludes a lot of people from seeking justice. "The Bureau voor Rechsthulp" offers legal services to those who cannot afford it provided such people are able to prove that they are below certain amount of income annually.
• Legal Entity
  Only those who are directly affected by spatial issues in the Netherlands can sue for justice. This is not the case for a purely environmental issue. When the issue is purely of an environmental matter, any body is either directly affected or not can sue. If an NGO is well registered, and it is stated in their registration papers that they are defending environmental issues, they automatically a legal entity with the right to complain or sue for justice.