Content and legal nature of the concept of good administration

Abstract

The subject of this paper is the analysis of the content and legal nature of the concept of good administration, perceived as an 'amalgam' of legal and non-legal principles guiding the activities of the European Union administration and administrations of its Member States. After providing a brief overview on the origins and historical development of the concept of good administration, the author focuses on the main elements of its content. In this regard, particular account shall be taken to illuminate the important components of the concept of good administration: legality, expediency, regularity, justice, equity, as well as morality. The legal nature of the concept of good administration will be discussed by casting more light on its legal aspect while acknowledging the existence of non-legal elements. In brief, the following text attempts to explain the inner meaning of the 'European' concept of good administration and to underscore its significance in the context of administrative activities of the European Union institutions, Member States and potential member states of this unique community of European states.

Keywords

• good administration
• administrative activity
• legality
• expediency
• regularity
• justice
• equity
• morality