This service is for developers, contractors, site managers and owners who received an ISC contravention minute (fine) or a measure affecting works (for example: stop-work, remediation deadlines, site book/documentation issues). A practical first step is to send the documents you received plus a short timeline so we can identify deadlines and realistic procedural options.
The information is general and does not replace legal advice. Facts, documents and timeline matter.
When you typically need this
- You received an ISC contravention minute (proces-verbal) with a fine and need to assess contestation grounds and deadlines.
- ISC recorded site-book or documentation issues (site diary, H&S related site documents, technical book elements, permits & notices).
- You have a stop-work measure or restrictions on continuing works and need a fast procedural plan.
- The control refers to missing/incorrect building permit steps (authorization, notices, signage, project documentation).
- Multiple parties are involved (developer, contractor, site manager) and the facts must be aligned to avoid contradictory statements.
- You need to secure and organise evidence from the construction site (photos, logs, correspondence, subcontractor documents).
- The minute describes facts you dispute (location, dates, responsible party, classification of works, alleged deviations).
- You have parallel procedures (urban planning, building permit, reception, neighbour complaints) and need coordination.
What we do, step by step
- Fast framing: what ISC act(s) you received, what it alleges, who is sanctioned, and what deadlines apply (including service proof).
- Document-based timeline: key dates, site status, works performed, authorisations, notifications, and who did what.
- Technical & legal reading of the minute: factual description, legal basis, competence, identification of the contravention and proportionality.
- Evidence plan: what to collect now (site photos, logs, contracts, instructions, technical documentation) and how to preserve it.
- Drafting and filing the contravention complaint/appeal within the legal framework, with clear factual and legal arguments.
- Coordination in group situations: aligning the narrative between developer/contractor/site manager and avoiding harmful inconsistencies.
- Court phase support: filings, hearings preparation and follow-up steps based on how the court requests clarifications or evidence.
- Next-step planning: compliance measures that reduce repeat exposure during follow-up controls (without outcome guarantees).
Useful documents & information for the first assessment
| Document | Why it matters | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ISC contravention minute + annexes | Core facts, legal basis, sanctioned party, deadlines and measures | Send full copy, including registry/service proof if available |
| Building permit, planning certificate, notices (where applicable) | Shows the legal framework of the works and compliance steps | Include updates, addenda, and any correspondence with authorities |
| Project documentation (DTAC/technical project/execution details) | Clarifies scope, classification of works and technical decisions | Key pages are usually enough for a first review |
| Site book / site diary extracts + site records | Supports what actually happened on site and when | Provide relevant periods around the alleged date(s) |
| Contracts and role allocation (developer/contractor/subcontractors) | Helps identify who is responsible for which obligations | Include appointment of site manager/technical responsible persons where relevant |
| Photos, videos, measurements, witness information | Evidence of site status, stages and factual contradictions | Keep original files and metadata where possible |
| Short timeline (1–2 pages) | Organises facts for the complaint and court explanations | Who, when, where, what works, what documents exist |
Risks & common mistakes
- Missing the short deadline for challenging a contravention minute (or lacking proof of when it was served).
- Submitting partial documents, without annexes, registry numbers or service proof.
- Contradictory statements between parties (developer vs contractor vs site manager) in group situations.
- Relying on assumptions instead of evidence (photos, site records, permits, correspondence).
- Not preserving original evidence (files, metadata, site logs) early, before a follow-up control.
- Ignoring how a stop-work measure interacts with other procedures (permits, reception, neighbour disputes).
- Using generic templates that do not address the specific facts recorded by ISC.
FAQ
What is the deadline to challenge an ISC contravention minute?
Deadlines depend on the general contravention framework and on how the minute was served; the practical step is to verify the service proof and count days accordingly before preparing the complaint.
Can a stop-work measure be challenged together with the fine?
Sometimes yes, but the path can differ depending on whether you challenge a contravention sanction, an administrative measure, or both; the documents and the legal basis recorded by ISC are decisive.
Who should be sanctioned: developer, contractor or site manager?
Liability depends on the legal qualification of the alleged contravention and on role allocation proven by documents (contracts, appointments, site records); group cases often require aligning roles and evidence.
What if the minute contains factual errors (date, location, works scope)?
Factual errors can be challenged through a document-based timeline and evidence (photos, logs, permits, correspondence); the goal is to show contradictions with verifiable records.
Do we need technical expertise for a court challenge?
Some disputes are decided on legal/procedural issues, while others benefit from technical clarifications; the need depends on what ISC recorded and what can be proven with existing documents.
What should we do immediately after an ISC control?
Secure copies of all acts and annexes, preserve site evidence (photos, logs), and avoid inconsistent statements between parties; then build a short written timeline to support the legal steps.
Contact
For a first assessment, send the ISC minute and annexes plus a short timeline. You will receive an outline of reasonable next steps and procedural options for your specific situation.
Relevant internal links
- Administrative Law & Urban Planning Law Services
- Law Office Services (Bucharest & Romania)
- Legal Fees
- Contact a lawyer
Sources
- Romania: Government Ordinance no. 2/2001 on the legal regime of contraventions (legislatie.just.ro)
- Romania: Law no. 50/1991 on authorising construction works (legislatie.just.ro)
- Romania: Law no. 10/1995 on construction quality (legislatie.just.ro)
- Romania: Government Decision no. 273/1994 on reception of construction works (legislatie.just.ro)
- Romania: Government Ordinance no. 63/2001 establishing the State Construction Inspectorate (ISC) (legislatie.just.ro)
- Romania: Law no. 554/2004 on administrative litigation (legislatie.just.ro)
- State Construction Inspectorate (ISC) website (isc.gov.ro)