toimivaliavirhettä

Toimivaltavirhettä refers to a legal concept in Finnish law concerning an error or mistake related to authority or jurisdiction. This term is typically used in administrative law and criminal procedure. In essence, it describes a situation where a public official or body acts beyond their legal powers or fails to act when they have the authority to do so, leading to a flawed decision or action.

This can manifest in various ways. For example, an administrative authority might make a decision that falls outside the scope of its mandated responsibilities. In criminal proceedings, a prosecutor or a court might err in their understanding or application of jurisdictional rules, meaning they either handle a case they shouldn't or fail to address a case that is within their purview. Such errors can lead to the invalidity of the decision or action, and may be grounds for appeal or review by a higher authority. The principle aims to ensure that public power is exercised strictly within the limits prescribed by law.