Administrative reforms and the rule of law : case law analysis as an inspiration for the Slovene reorganisation of social work centres / Matej Babšek, Nina Tomaževič, Polonca Kovač.
Administrative reforms and the rule of law : case law analysis as an inspiration for the Slovene reorganisation of social work centres / Matej Babšek, Nina Tomaževič, Polonca Kovač.
Sažetak

Designing a public governance model suitable for a particular task often lacks an empirical basis for change and the criteria for evaluation. Hence, the paper analyses the case law following from the decisions of social work centres (SWC) in Slovenia in order to gain insight in the lawfulness of their work as a key component of the rule of law and thus pinpoint the optimal framework for improvements. Using quantitative and qualitative analyses of 213 higher court judgments issued in the course of five years, the paper examines, by means of content analysis, which elements of the rule of law are the most problematic in practice. There is special emphasis on lawfulness and equality in substantive terms and on fair trial in procedural terms. The case law following from the SWC cases in the highest courts in Slovenia is quite consistent, but it does reveal certain gaps. These gaps need to be bridged on both regulatory and implementation levels in terms of clearer and yet not too rigid rules, recognition of participative procedural standards, and more flexible organisation. The case law thus indicates options for legislative changes and administrative reforms of the Slovene welfare system and beyond.; Oblikovanje modela javnog upravljanja prikladnog za određeni zadatak često nema empirijsku osnovu za promjene i njihovu evaluaciju. U radu se stoga analizira sudska praksa nastala u vezi rješenja centara za socijalnu skrb (CZSS) u Sloveniji kako bi se dobio uvid u zakonitost njihovog rada kao ključnu komponentu vladavine prava, a time i optimalni okvir za predlaganje poboljšanja. Kvantitativna i kvalitativna analiza sadržaja 213 presuda viših sudova donesenih u razdoblju od pet godina omogućila je utvrđivanje najproblematičnijih elemenata vladavine prava u praksi tih centara, pri čemu se posebno ističu zakonitost i jednakost u materijalnom te pošteno suđenje u proceduralnom smislu. Sudska praksa u slučajevima koji su nastali povodom rješenja CZSS prilično je dosljedna, ali otkriva određene nedostatke. Njih treba otkloniti na razini pravne regulacije i u samoj praksi, prvenstveno u vidu donošenja jasnijih, ali ne previše krutih pravila, uvođenja sudioničkih proceduralnih standarda i fleksibilnije organizacije. Sudska praksa na taj način indicira opcije za promjene zakonodavstva i upravne reforme ne samo u slovenskom sustavu socijalne zaštite nego i općenito.