German term (edited): Ordnungsverf�gung

Hi Sue, it is an order but not by the courts. Administrative authorities/agencies are also authorised to issue orders, such as noise abatement notices, hence administrative order. Where such orders are not complied with, the recipient may be fined or penalised in some other way (e.g. confiscation of equipment used to generated the nuisance in question).

Greetings from across the ditch - Beate

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Note added at 19 mins (2004-10-18 02:39:09 GMT)
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Ooops - to \"generate\", that is. Government authorities have a wide range of powers to enforce compliance with their orders, the (administrative) courts only come in if the recipient lodges an objection/appeal against a notice served.