beslutstillhörighet

Beslutstillhörighet is a concept in public administration and administrative law that describes which authority or body has the mandate to make a given decision. It is used to allocate decision-making power within a policy area, function, or administrative process and is central for ensuring legal certainty, accountability, and predictability in public governance. The term covers both substantive scope (what can be decided) and procedural scope (which parts of the process are covered).

The decision of who holds decisionstillhörighet is determined by legal acts, regulations, and internal governance documents. Parliament or the government can allocate decision-making power to ministries, agencies, or municipalities through statutes, delegations, or administrative orders. In many areas, decisions are confined to a defined geographic or functional domain, while in others several bodies may be involved or higher-level approval may be required. Boundaries can change with legal reform or organizational restructuring, and disputes about decisionstillhörighet are typically addressed through administrative procedures or the courts.

The practical effect is to establish clear accountability, avenues for appeal, and resource allocation. Misalignment can lead to delays, legal challenges, or gaps in authority. Common contexts include licensing and permits (such as planning permissions typically handled by municipalities), environmental or land-use decisions, social services, and public procurement. In cross-cutting matters, co-decision or joint determination may be necessary.

Related concepts include delegation (delegering), competence (kompetens), and jurisdiction (jurisdiktion). The term underscores the importance of a clear assignment of authority to ensure lawful, predictable public governance.