handhavende

Handhavende is a term used primarily in Danish administrative and legal language to describe the entity or person that has the authority or competence to handle a particular matter. It functions as an attributive form that labels who is empowered to act within a given legal framework, such as issuing permits, enforcing rules, or processing applications.

In practice, the concept appears most often in phrases like den handhavende myndighed (the competent authority) or handhavende organ (competent body). The term helps delineate responsibility and procedural steps, clarifying which institution is responsible for decision-making, supervision, or enforcement. The identity of the handhavende authority can influence timelines for processing, access to remedies, and the scope of appeal possibilities.

Laws and regulations commonly specify which body is handhavende for a given matter, and delegation or transfer of responsibility may occur through statute or administrative orders. The concept is especially important in regulatory contexts such as planning, licensing, environmental enforcement, taxation, and social services, where clear designation of authority ensures legitimate and accountable action.

The term is not unique to Danish and appears in Norwegian administrative language with a similar meaning, referring to the authority empowered to handle a case or task. In both languages, recognizing the handhavende authority is essential for navigating administrative procedures and understanding how decisions are made and enforced.