epätäydellisyyssääntöön

The epätäydellisyyssääntöön, often translated as the "imperfection rule" or "rule of imperfection," is a concept primarily discussed in Finnish legal scholarship and practice, particularly concerning administrative law and the enforcement of decisions. It addresses the situation where a decision, while being officially in force, contains certain defects or ambiguities that prevent its immediate or complete execution.

The core idea is that even if a formal decision has been issued and has legal standing, practical limitations or flaws within the decision itself might render its execution impossible or problematic. This is not about the legality of the decision in principle, but rather its implementability in reality. For example, a decision might be too vague, lack necessary details for enforcement, or conflict with other established facts or regulations in a way that creates an impasse.

In such cases, the epätäydellisyyssääntöön suggests that authorities may need to address these imperfections before proceeding with enforcement. This could involve issuing clarifications, supplementary decisions, or even suspending enforcement until the ambiguities are resolved. The rule aims to prevent situations where the state attempts to enforce flawed or impractical mandates, thus upholding the principles of good administration and legal certainty. It emphasizes a pragmatic approach to ensure that legal decisions are not only formally valid but also practically executable.