Uudelleenavausmenetelmä

Uudelleenavausmenetelmä, known in English as the "reopening method" or sometimes "reconsideration method," is a procedural concept within the Finnish legal system, primarily associated with administrative law and the review of administrative decisions. It allows for a previously finalized administrative decision to be reviewed and potentially overturned or amended under specific circumstances.

The core principle of the uudelleenavausmenetelmä is that while administrative decisions are generally considered final and binding once they have been issued and the appeal periods have expired, there are exceptional situations where a reopening is justified to correct manifest errors or address new information that fundamentally alters the basis of the original decision. This is not an ordinary appeal process, which has a statutory deadline.

Key grounds for invoking the uudelleenavausmenetelmä typically include the discovery of significant new evidence that was not available at the time of the original decision and which, if it had been known, would likely have led to a different outcome. Another common ground is the discovery of a significant procedural error or a clear misapplication of the law that resulted in an unjust decision. The applicant must demonstrate that the error or new evidence is substantial enough to warrant a reopening.

The process is initiated by submitting a request for reopening to the authority that made the original decision. This request must clearly outline the grounds for reopening and provide any supporting evidence. The authority then assesses whether the conditions for reopening are met. If the request is granted, the authority may then review the decision on its merits, potentially leading to its amendment or annulment. The uudelleenavausmenetelmä serves as a safety valve to ensure fairness and accuracy in administrative decision-making.