Perustevalitus

Perustevalitus is a Finnish legal term for an appeal that challenges the substantive grounds or legal basis of a decision. Rather than focusing solely on procedural errors, perustevalitus disputes the justification, interpretation of law, or factual findings that underpin an administrative or judicial decision. The concept appears in contexts where a party seeks review of the merits of a decision and contends that the deciding authority applied the law incorrectly, misinterpreted material facts, or gave an inadequate or unsupported rationale.

Procedurally, perustevalitus is subject to statutory time limits and formal requirements that vary by area of law. It is typically filed in writing to the designated appellate body—such as an administrative or ordinary court—and must identify the contested decision, the grounds of the appeal, and the remedy sought. The reviewing body examines whether the original decision was lawful and justified; outcomes can include confirmation, amendment, annulment, or remand for reconsideration.

Perustevalitus is distinguished from remedies that address only procedure (for example, requests for rectification or complaints about formal defects). The exact name, scope and process depend on the legal domain and statutory framework, and comparable concepts exist under different labels in other jurisdictions. Key legal principles that guide perustevalitus include the right to judicial review, reasoned decision-making, and the requirement that authorities act within the limits of their powers.