Päätöosasta

Päätöosasta is Finnish for “the decision part” and refers to the portion of a document that states the actual decision or ruling. The form päätöosasta is the genitive, used when discussing things derived from or described within that part of the text.

In official and administrative writing, päätöosa typically contains the operative content of the decision. It specifies what is decided, who is affected, the applicable date or period, and any immediate actions or consequences. The decision part is often distinguished from the grounds or reasoning (perustelut) that justify the decision, and from procedural notes such as notification or appeal instructions.

The typical structure of a decision document places the decision in the päätöosa or its heading, sometimes labeled simply as “Päätös.” It may also include references to relevant laws, the authority issuing the decision, and, if applicable, instructions for implementation or reporting. In many contexts, the oikeusvaikutukset (legal effects) and appeal rights are stated in the decision part or immediately adjacent to it.

Usage and contexts: päätöosasta appears in municipal decisions, government agency rulings, court judgments, and other formal notices. It can also be used metaphorically when analyzing or summarizing a document, e.g., “päätöosasta ilmenevät vaikutukset” (the effects evident from the decision part).

Language note: the standard spelling is päätöosa as one compound word; päällystetty inflection yields päätöosasta in the genitive. The term is primarily functional—describing structure rather than content beyond the binding decision.