Oikeuslajikkeen

Oikeuslajikkeen is a term used in Finnish legal theory to denote the variety or typology of law within a legal system. It describes how different forms of legal norms—statutory law, case law, administrative regulations, customary law—coexist, interact and influence each other.

Etymology and scope: The word combines oikeus (law/right) with lajike (variety, cultivar), signaling a descriptive tool rather than a fixed doctrine. The concept covers sources of law, their normative status, and their functional roles (substantive vs procedural, primary vs secondary norms), as well as the relationships between formal statutes and more informal or nonbinding norms. It is often used to examine legal pluralism and the layered nature of modern regulatory regimes.

Applications: In jurisprudence and comparative law, oikeuslajikkeen helps analysts map how different normative orders operate in practice, across domains such as criminal, civil, and administrative law. It highlights the roles of legislation, judicial interpretation, executive regulation, and customary practice in shaping legal outcomes. It also accommodates the idea that nonbinding but influential norms (soft law) can steer behavior and decision-making.

Relation to other concepts: The idea is distinct from but related to the broader oikeusjärjestys (legal order) and norm hierarchy, illustrating how different types of authority coexist within a system while maintaining distinct functions.

See also: oikeusjärjestys, lainsäädäntö, oikeuskäytäntö.

References: Finnish legal theory sources on legal typologies and normativity discuss the concept in general terms and as a methodological tool.