The essence of administrative discretion in the activities of public administration agencies

Abstract

The article examines the essence of administrative discretion in the activities of public administration bodies. The author proposes his own definition of administrative discretion as intellectual, creative activity of public authorities, local governments and their officials, established by legislation on self-assessment and decision-making and a certain choice of behavior, which has a legally significant result.
 The selected properties that are inherent in administrative discretion: 1) are the right of public authorities, local governments and their officials to make decisions, carry out activities (inaction); 2) is implemented by the relevant circle of persons authorized by law; 3) the limits of discretion are limited by the law, it complies with the law and does not contradict them; 4) the process of applying administrative discretion is an intellectual and creative activity; 5) has a legally significant result.
 It is emphasized that the functioning of public authorities in the exercise of administrative discretion should be subject to regulation and proper control, as often there is a problem of abuse of administrative discretion, the reasons for which are: ambiguity of laws, which creates the illusion of great authority; lack of proper level of training and knowledge of the official; exceeding the limits of discretionary powers.