TFL Vsebine / Revija Pravnik

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Ta članek obravnava dilemo, s katero se soočajo prvostopenjski odločevalci v kontekstu izrednih razmer, ko se morajo odločati med strogim spoštovanjem pravil in uporabo diskrecije. Osredotoča se na »infrapravo« – niz neformalnih, prilagodljivih pravil, značilnih za operativno birokracijo. Članek predlaga, da lahko infrapravo moderira diskrecijsko presojo prvostopenjskih uradnikov. Glede na to, da so izredne razmere po svoji naravi nepredvidljive in zahtevajo hitro ukrepanje, avtor trdi, da strogo sledenje pravilom pogosto odpove, zato je diskrecijska presoja nujna za učinkovito odzivanje na krize. Vendar pa pretirana diskrecija tvega nedoslednost in arbitrarnost, kar spodkopava zakonitost in zaupanje javnosti. Infrapravo, ki je običajno utelešeno v direktivah, protokolih ali okrožnicah, ponuja srednjo pot. S tem ko zagotavlja sprotne smernice, prilagojene edinstvenim zahtevam posameznih kriznih situacij pomaga uskladiti operativne ukrepe s širšimi pravnimi in organizacijskimi okviri, hkrati pa upošteva praktično realnost odločanja v izrednih razmerah. Ta okvir, podprt z disciplinsko močjo organizacije, si prizadeva omejiti arbitrarnost in ohraniti zakonitost, s čimer zagotavlja, da ostanejo odzivi na izredne razmere hkrati prilagodljivi in odgovorni.

The article examines the dilemma frontline emergency officials face in balancing strict adherence to rules with the need for discretion in crisis situations. Focusing on “infra-law”—a set of informal, flexible regulations specific to street-level bureaucracy—the author proposes that infra-law can moderate the discretion exercised by these officials. Given that emergencies are inherently unpredictable and urgent, he argues that strict rule-following often fails, making discretion necessary for effective crisis response. However, excessive discretion risks inconsistency and arbitrariness, undermining legality and public trust. Infra- law, typically embodied in directives, protocols, or internal guidelines, offers a middle ground. By providing a real-time guidance adaptable to the unique demands of specific emergencies, infra-law helps align frontline actions with overarching legal and organisational frameworks while respecting the practical realities of emergency decision-making. This framework, supported by organisational disciplinary power, aims to limit arbitrariness and maintain legality, ensuring that emergency responses remain both flexible and accountable.

Frontline Administrative Emergency Decision- Making. On the Rule of Law vs Efficiency Dilemma and on the Role of Infra-Law