This master's thesis analyses the rights associated with good administration as an integral part of legal and administrative safeguards that define the relationship between the individual and public administration. In this context, good administration represents a normative obligation of the state, an expression of quality administrative conduct, and ultimately a civic expectation. The central focus is placed on selected rights such as the right to a decision within a reasonable time, the right to be heard, access to one’s file, the use of language, the right to compensation, and the right to a reasoned decision, as comprehensively enshrined in Article 41 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
The empirical part of the thesis includes a content analysis of the annual reports of both the Slovenian and the European Ombudsman. Additional attention is given to decisions issued by the Slovenian Information Commissioner, with findings further enriched through interviews with relevant stakeholders. These sources provide different but complementary insights into administrative practice. A key finding is that violations of the right to a decision within a reasonable time and the right to a reasoned decision are the most frequent. The analysis also identifies legal and administrative challenges faced by the Information Commissioner in appeal procedures concerning access to public information, especially in cases where non-governmental organisations (NGOs) file complaints.
Overall, the thesis offers a deeper reflection on the understanding of good administration as a fundamental value of modern public administration. It argues that the rights of good administration do not represent a static or finalised administrative standard. Instead, they are dynamic and evolving rights that require continuous critical assessment, substantive reflection, and institutional improvement. Special emphasis is placed on the need to strengthen the legal and administrative culture within the public sector, which is essential for the lawful and accountable implementation of good administration rights.
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