Judges at the central administrative court are angry at government plans to close down its operations.

They vented their anger on Friday in a letter published in the Volkskrant, in which they argue that closure of the court will lead to a dilution in quality, the destruction of knowledge and higher costs for citizens and governing bodies.

The central administrative court is the highest court of its kind in the areas of social security and the rights of civil servants.

The cabinet said in the bill sent last year to the Council of State that it wants to transfer these matters to four other courts.

Complex laws

The judges are ‘intensely concerned’ about the consequences of such a transfer, the letter says. Social security law in particular is complex and changes quickly because laws are changed at a fast tempo, they write. Currently, the knowledge required to keep up with these changes is gathered in one place.

Spreading the work of the court across four other courts and judges with less knowledge of the matter will lead to a dilution in quality, the judges write. ‘To make a comparison with the medical sector, it is as if the dentist is told to treat heart disease.’

The judges say that the cabinet is ignoring the advice of the judicial powers and social advocacy. They are unanimously recommending that social jurisdiction must remain together.

All eyes are now on both houses of parliament, either of which can reject or adjust the bill, for instance by bringing the central administrative court together in a new fifth court.