säädöspykälä

Säädöspykälä is a Finnish term that translates to "statutory provision" or "legal provision" in English. It refers to a specific, numbered section within a Finnish law, decree, or other legal regulation. These pykälät are the building blocks of legislation, each containing a distinct rule, requirement, prohibition, or authorization.

The structure of Finnish legislation is hierarchical. Laws enacted by the Parliament (Eduskunta) are the highest form of legal act, followed by decrees (asetukset) issued by the government, and then by various administrative regulations. Within each of these legal instruments, the content is divided into chapters (luvut), sections (pykälät), and sometimes subsections or paragraphs. Each pykälä is typically identified by a number, allowing for precise reference and citation in legal documents, court proceedings, and everyday legal practice.

The purpose of dividing legislation into pykälät is to ensure clarity, organization, and accessibility. It allows legal professionals, citizens, and authorities to easily locate and understand specific legal rules. When a law or regulation is amended, the specific pykälä being changed is clearly identified, facilitating the process of legislative reform. Understanding the content and scope of individual säädöspykälät is fundamental to interpreting and applying Finnish law.