oikeusjärjestyksittäin

Oikeusjärjestyksittäin is a Finnish adverb meaning “in the order of the legal system” or “according to the hierarchy of legal norms.” The term is used to indicate that norms should be applied or interpreted with regard to their place in the legal order.

In Finnish law, norms are organized in a hierarchy known as normihierarkia. At the top is the Constitution (perustuslaki), followed by acts of Parliament (laki), government decrees (asetus), and other regulations. The principle of oikeusjärjestyksittäin means that higher-ranked norms prevail over lower-ranked ones, and a lower-ranked rule cannot contravene a higher-ranked rule. This hierarchy guides courts, authorities, and legal interpretation when conflicts between norms arise.

Practically, the concept underpins how laws are tested for compatibility with constitutional rights and with the existing legal order. It also informs the process of drafting legislation, judicial review, and the interpretation of ambiguous provisions to ensure coherence within the legal system.

Relation to international and EU law is also relevant. Finland integrates international obligations and, where applicable, EU law into its legal order, so that national rules are interpreted and applied in light of those higher-level commitments.

Etymology: the word is built from oikeus (law) + järjestys (order) with the adverbial suffix -ittäin. See also normihierarkia and perustuslaki for related concepts in Finnish law.