SIMULATED APPELLATE PROTECTION WITHIN SERBIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

The authors conducted this empirical research to examine whether municipal/city administrations, as the first-instance authorities in administrative proceedings, are required to prepare decisions on administrative appeals against their own decisions in the place of actually competent second-instance authorities – municipal/city councils. The aim of the research was to verify the (in)existence of this issue, and its frequency, causes and potential solutions in case its existence is proven. The main findings of the research are that the problem exists, that it is widespread, and that it derives from the lack of capacities of municipal/city councils, as predominantly political bodies, to cope with this competence. The lack of capacities encompasses predominantly the lack of professional expertise and, to a lesser extent, it is a result of work overload. The authors propose the establishment of appellate commissions for one or more local government units as possible solution to the problem.