erityislaeilla

Erityislaeilla is a Finnish term used in legal and policy discussions to describe matters that are regulated by special legislation rather than by general statutes. The word combines erityinen (special) and laki (law), with the suffix -lla forming a frame sense such as “on the basis of special laws.” The phrase is typically used descriptively to indicate that a particular area operates under a set of distinct laws rather than under the regular statutory framework.

The term is not a formal constitutional category, but a common analytical label in scholarly writing, policy briefs, and legislative commentary. It helps signal that a given issue is governed by a separate act or by a cluster of sector- or situation-specific rules, which may differ in scope, procedure, or penalties from the general law.

Contexts in which the concept appears include areas of public administration where normal rules are supplemented or replaced by specialized regimes. Examples often discussed include emergency or national security provisions, certain social or welfare frameworks, and regional or sector-specific legislation. The existence of such special regimes can reflect historical developments, risk management needs, or attempts to tailor rules to particular conditions.

In interpretation, erityislaeilla frames are frequently linked to the principle of lex specialis, where a special law may prevail over a general law within its domain. Critics argue that extensive use of special laws can reduce legal certainty and equal treatment, while supporters contend that targeted regimes enable more effective governance.

See also: Lex specialis, Special legislation, Finnish law.