Final report of the Working Group on Complaints

Summary

On 4 April 2011, the Ministry of Finance established a working group to review and prepare legislative reform relating to the handling of complaint cases within the authority of the Regional State Administrative Agencies. In determining the scope of necessary legislative amendments, the working group was also assigned the task of reviewing whether, in the Regional State Administrative Agencies as well as in other corresponding state authorities that handle legality control, there is a need to enhance and accelerate the handling of complaints. The working group’s term of office ended on 29 February 2012.

Based on its review, the working group has decided to propose that more comprehensive provisions on the administrative complaint procedure than at present be introduced into the Administrative Procedures Act (434/2003). To this end, it is proposed that section 4 subsection 3 of the Administrative Procedures Act be repealed and that a new chapter, 8 a, on administrative complaints be added to the Act. The new chapter would prescribe the making and handling of administrative complaints and the sanctions arising therefrom. 

The objective of the proposal is to clarify and specify regulations relating to the administrative complaint procedure and to ensure that they correspond better to the current needs of legislative control and the requirements of good administration. A further goal of the proposed regulatory solution is to ensure that there is sufficient discretionary power and flexibility in the handling of administrative complaints. The aim of the proposals is also to increase the overall effectiveness of legality control by ensuring that the control resources of authorities that handle complaints are used and directed better than at present.

Language versions

• Kantelutyöryhmän loppuraportti
  08.03.2012
• Klagomålsarbetsgruppens slutrapport
  08.03.2012

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