Erijuhtumites

Erijuhtumites is an Estonian term used to refer to actions, decisions, or provisions that apply in exceptional cases, when standard rules or procedures cannot be followed or would yield undesirable outcomes. The expression signals deviations from normal practice and is common in legal, administrative, and policy contexts.

In practice, erijuhtumites denotes allowances, waivers, or deviations from established rules. Measures described this way are typically based on a justified assessment of urgency, risk, or disproportionate burden. They are usually temporary, designed to be reversible, and documented to ensure accountability. The use of the term implies some level of oversight and a process for returning to standard procedures once the exceptional situation ends.

Contexts where erijuhtumites may be invoked include emergency procurement where standard tender processes are impractical, exemptions for individuals or organizations under special circumstances, and certain healthcare or social service decisions made during crises. In public administration, the concept can authorize expedited decision-making, temporary changes to data handling, or policy relaxations due to extraordinary events, always with safeguards and review.

Safeguards commonly associated with erijuhtumites include explicit justification, explicit time limits, regular review, and an audit trail. Decisions are subject to higher-level scrutiny to prevent abuse, ensure fairness, and maintain accountability for how and when exceptional measures are used.

See also: erand, erijuhtum.