Lainvoimaisia

Lainvoimaisia is a Finnish adjective form meaning that something has the force of law or is legally binding. It is the plural form of lainvoimainen and is commonly used to describe decisions, provisions, orders, or regulations that are enforceable in law. The noun form related to the concept is lainvoima, while voimaantulo refers to the moment something becomes legally effective.

Origin and meaning: lainvoima is composed of lain (law) and voima (power/force), with -inen forming the adjective. Thus, lainvoimainen literally means having the power of law. In legal texts, the term signals a status where ordinary means of reversing or altering a decision are no longer available, because the act has attained binding force.

Usage in law and administration: In practice, a decision or provision becomes lainvoimainen after the period for appeals has expired or after all appeals have been exhausted. Once something is lainvoimainen, it is generally enforceable and must be complied with, subject to any further legal remedies that might be available under the law. The term can describe multiple items, as seen in phrases like lainvoimaisia päätöksiä or lainvoimaisia säädöksiä.

Examples and context: Päättäjät kuuluttavat uuden säädöksen, ja sen lainvoimaisuus varmistaa sen täytäntöönpanon. Toisaalta, ennen lainvoimaantuloa tehtävät muutokset voivat olla väliaikaisia tai kumottavissa määrävälein. In everyday legal writing, lainvoimaisia is used to distinguish finalized, enforceable documents from provisional or challengeable ones.

Related terms: lainvoima (binding force of law), voimaantulo (entry into force), sitova (binding), pätevyys (validity).