Olukordseadused

Olukordseadused are a group of statutes that regulate the state's response to exceptional situations that threaten public safety, order, economy, or national security. They provide a legal basis for declaring special states, such as state of emergency, state of war, or major natural disasters, and for the temporary extension of executive powers and extraordinary measures necessary to cope with the crisis. The aim is to enable rapid decision-making while preserving rule of law.

Typical content includes: powers to issue decrees and orders, mobilize or reallocate resources, regulate critical infrastructure and essential services, impose temporary restrictions on movement or assembly, and adopt emergency funding or procurement procedures. The measures should be necessary, proportionate, and non-discriminatory, and they generally include limits, oversight, and time-bound validity.

Legally, olukordseadused interact with a country's constitution and other ordinary laws. They are usually activated by a designated authority and may require legislative approval, notification, or post-crisis review. Civil liberties are typically subject to stricter proportionality tests, with judicial remedies available.

In practice, many democracies have parallel frameworks, often named emergency laws, state of emergency acts, or wartime economy statutes. In Estonia and other jurisdictions, discussions about olukordseadused focus on balancing swift crisis response with fundamental rights and checks and balances.

See also: emergency law, state of emergency, national security law, civil protection.