This past week, the planned and unexpected withdrawal of plots of land by the City of Reykjavík from certain religious organizations, has been much discussed. Albert Björn Lúðvígsson, a lawyer at the firm, represents one such organization.
On Thursday, Albert was interviewed by Vísir about the case, and yesterday, RÚV covered the case in detail, with brief comments from him.
The case has garnered attention, on the one hand, because of recent public discussion in Iceland about religious organizations leaving plots of land, intended for places of worship, undeveloped for years. On the other hand, attention has focused on public authorities’ correct notice of decisions and, in this context, whether digital mailboxes should suffice (even when the email address of the relevant representative or organization does not receive any warning about a new document).
In this regard, Albert told Vísir:
“This news came as a surprise to us. The Muslim Association of Iceland is not aware of having received any notice from the City of Reykjavík about the possible withdrawal of this plot. […] However, it is a bit strange that this appeared on the news last night and then there is a proposal before the City Executive Council this morning without any attempt having been made, at least more than is being reported, to contact these associations; and this is unfortunate. The Muslim Association of Iceland has requested a meeting with representatives of the City Executive Council and the Mayor to review this matter. To be able to submit objections.”
It has been reported that the City Executive Council’s handling of the matter has been postponed after the lawyer’s objections.
At the Icelandic Law Day in Harpa, last Friday, Elfur Logadóttir, the CEO of ERA, also made the matter a topic of discussion during her talk on acceptable notices of decision by public authorities.
CPLS’s lawyers are experts in administrative law and regularly represent the interests of individuals and companies in their dealings with authorities.