Halduskord

Halduskord is a term used in Estonian administrative law to refer to the standard rules and procedures that govern how public authorities exercise their powers. It denotes the procedural framework within which administrative acts are prepared, decided, and communicated, with the aim of ensuring legality, transparency, and predictability in public administration. The concept is not a single statute, but is reflected in the Administrative Procedure Act (haldusmenetluse seadus) and in sector-specific regulations as well as in internal guidelines of government agencies.

Typical elements of halduskord include the initiation and scope of a procedure, the rights of interested parties to participate, the collection and evaluation of evidence, procedural time limits, and the criteria used for decision-making. It also covers the form and content of administrative decisions, the manner of notification or publication, and the avenues for appeal and review. Record-keeping and the duty to provide reasons for decisions are commonly emphasized features, intended to enable accountability and legal certainty.

In practice, halduskord is implemented through a combination of statutory rules, agency-level instructions, standard forms, and digital administrative portals. It is subject to judicial oversight, with courts examining whether authorities adhered to the prescribed procedures and complied with substantive legal requirements. The concept is frequently discussed in legal literature and policy debates as a foundation for predictable, fair, and efficient public administration.