Administrative procedures in Bosnia and Herzegovina are often complex and burdened with delays. One of the most common problems faced by citizens and legal entities is administrative silence—situations in which competent authorities fail to issue administrative decisions within the legally prescribed time limits.
Such behavior constitutes a violation of the parties’ rights and can seriously hinder the timely realization of lawful rights and interests.
What Is Administrative Silence in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Administrative silence refers to the failure of an administrative body to act and issue a decision within the timeframe provided by the Law on Administrative Procedure of the Federation of BiH. This period is 30 days from the submission of a proper request, in cases where no special investigative procedure is required and there are no legal obstacles (such as the need to resolve a preliminary issue).
In other cases—whether initiated at the request of the party or ex officio in the party’s interest—the competent authority must issue a decision and deliver it to the party within 60 days, unless a shorter deadline is specified by a special regulation.
Failure to act within these timeframes constitutes a violation of the party’s rights and hinders access to legal protection.
According to Article 11 of the Law on Administrative Procedure of the Federation of BiH, an appeal may also be lodged when the first-instance authority fails to issue a decision within the prescribed deadline.
Legal Assistance in Administrative Proceedings and Cases of Administrative Silence in BiH
Our law firm offers professional legal support in administrative procedures throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. We assist with:
- Preparing urgent requests for action
- Drafting appeals due to administrative silence
- Filing administrative lawsuits and complaints
- Representation before administrative and judicial authorities across BiH
We closely follow the latest legal developments and case law in the field of administrative law in BiH to ensure timely and effective protection of your rights.
If you need legal advice and representation in situations where an administrative authority fails to issue a decision on your request, you are in the right place. Please contact our lawyers directly by phone at (+387 62 423 413) or via email at info@partners.haracic.ba
