Usaldusel

Usaldusel is an Estonian linguistic term formed from the noun usaldus (trust) in the adessive form usaldusel. It is used to express that something is based on trust or carried out on the basis of trust, rather than on formal guarantees or compulsory rules. The phrase is common in formal and semi-formal written language, including contracts, policy texts, and administrative documents.

In usage, usaldusel appears in combinations with adjectives such as põhinev or tegutsev, yielding phrases like usaldusel põhinev leping (a contract based on trust) or usaldusel tegutsev organisatsioon (an organization that acts on trust). It functions as a linguistic device to indicate reliance on the trustworthiness of a person or entity, rather than on explicit legal authority or binding stipulations. The exact meaning depends on the surrounding context and the accompanying verbs or adjectives.

Context and interpretation: In legal, administrative, or financial contexts, the term highlights arrangements or decisions that rest on trust. It does not denote a separate legal doctrine but rather signals a trust-based approach within a given framework. Because its implications vary by situation, its use is most common in formal discourse, contract drafting, and policy discussions where flexibility or relational reliability is emphasized.

See also: Usaldus (trust), põhinev (based on).