säädösaika

Säädösaika refers to the period during which a particular law or regulation is in force. It signifies the lifespan of a legal provision, from its enactment or effective date to its repeal or expiration. Understanding säädösaika is crucial for legal interpretation and application, as it determines which legal rules are applicable to a given situation.

The start of a säädösaika is typically marked by the law's entry into force, which is often specified within the legislation itself or by a separate act. This can be a specific date, a certain number of days after publication, or the occurrence of a particular event. Conversely, the säädösaika ends when the law is repealed, amended in a way that renders the provision obsolete, or expires on a predetermined date. Amendments can alter the scope or effect of a law during its säädösaika, but the original provision generally remains in effect until the amendment itself comes into force.

Situations involving different säädösaikoja can arise, particularly when a new law replaces an old one. In such cases, transitional provisions are often included to govern how matters that arose under the old law but continue to have effects under the new law are handled. This ensures legal certainty and prevents arbitrary application of laws. The principle of non-retroactivity generally means that laws do not apply to events that occurred before their säädösaika began, unless explicitly stated otherwise.