ADMINISTRATIVE COURT

The Administrative Court (widely referred to by the initials VwGH) is one of Austria's three supreme courts. Since the system of administrative jurisdiction is a single-tier one it is concentrated in the VwGH, which rules on cases as the sole instance. The Court's special responsibility is to rule on appeals challenging the legality of decisions or measures adopted by the administrative authorities (see administrative act) and also on appeals asserting infringement of the administrative authorities' obligation to issue a decision (Säumnisbeschwerden, i e. appeals on the ground of default). However, such an appeal may be lodged only after all the usual channels have been exhausted. This also applies to appeals concerning the social insurance relationship (especially as regards an individual's inclusion in the compulsory state scheme and liability to pay contributions). See also labour jurisdiction.))