Czech Civil Service Exam flashcards

31 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Constitutional order

The Constitution, the Charter of Fundamental Rights and other constitutional laws listed in art. 112 of the Constitution; these are hierarchically superior to statutes and directly binding on all state bodies.

Article 10 of the Constitution

Ratified and promulgated international treaties on human rights and fundamental freedoms bind the Czech Republic directly and prevail over statute; the Constitutional Court may annul conflicting statutes.

Chamber of Deputies

The lower chamber of Parliament with 200 members elected for four years by proportional representation; it passes votes of confidence in the Government by an absolute majority of all members.

Senate composition

The upper chamber with 81 senators elected in single-member districts by two-round majority for six years, with one third renewed every two years; it consents to Constitutional Court judges and may prosecute the President for treason.

Independent municipal competence

The sphere in which a municipality manages its own affairs under its own authority; state supervision is limited to legality, and a municipality is not bound by directives of superior administrative bodies in this sphere.

Delegated competence

The sphere in which a municipality or region performs state administration on the basis of a statute; it is bound by directives of superior bodies and subject to hierarchical and state supervision.

State Service Act

Act No. 234/2014 Sb., on State Service, which governs the service relationship of officials in administrative offices, including appointment, duties, remuneration, discipline and termination of service.

Service oath

The oath taken by an official on appointment, promising loyalty to the Czech Republic, observance of the Constitution and statutes, and performance of service impartially and in the public interest.

Confidentiality obligation

The official's duty to maintain confidentiality about facts learned in connection with service; the duty continues after the end of the service relationship and may be released only by the service authority.

Decision requirements

An administrative decision must contain the operative part, reasoning and instructions on remedies; missing instructions may extend the appeal period and constitute a procedural defect reviewable by a court.

Appeal period

An appeal against an administrative decision must be filed within 15 days of its notification with the administrative body that issued it; the appeal is decided by the superior body.

Administrative action deadline

An action against an administrative decision must be filed with a regional court within two months of notification of the decision; the defendant is the administrative body that issued it.

Cassation complaint

An extraordinary remedy filed with the Supreme Administrative Court within two weeks of notification of a regional court judgment, admissible only on statutory grounds such as illegality or procedural defect.

Void legal act

A legal act that is contrary to good morals or to a statute protecting the weaker party, or that is impossible or indeterminate; it is treated as if it had never been made.

Probationary period

A period agreed in the employment contract during which either party may terminate the relationship without stating a ground; it may not exceed three months, or six months for managerial employees.

Notice period

The minimum period of at least two months that begins on the first day of the month following delivery of notice; the employment relationship ends on its expiry.

Abuse of authority

A criminal offence under section 329 of the Criminal Code, committed by a public official who exceeds his or her competence or fails to perform a duty in order to obtain an advantage or cause harm.

Provisional budget management

A regime applied when the state budget statute is not passed before 1 January; monthly expenditure is limited to one-twelfth of the previous year's budget until the budget is adopted.

Supreme Audit Office

An independent constitutional body (art. 97) that audits the management of state assets and the state budget, and reports to the Chamber of Deputies; it cannot impose sanctions.

Budgetary principles

Annuity, unity, transparency, balanced budget and gross budgeting; each expenditure must have a legal title and be covered by an approved budgeted amount for the stated purpose.

Article 10a of the Constitution

The provision allowing the Czech Republic to transfer certain powers to an international organisation by treaty approved by Parliament, forming the constitutional basis of EU membership since 1 May 2004.

Direct effect of directives

A directive that is not transposed in time may be invoked vertically against the state where its provisions are unconditional and sufficiently precise; it cannot impose obligations on private parties.

Qualified majority voting

A Council voting rule requiring at least 55% of member states representing at least 65% of the EU population; a blocking minority requires at least four member states.

Indirect discrimination

A neutral provision, criterion or practice that disadvantages persons sharing a protected ground compared with others, unless it is objectively justified by a legitimate aim and proportionate means.

Burden of proof shift

In discrimination proceedings, once the claimant shows facts suggesting discrimination, the defendant must prove that the principle of equal treatment was not breached.

Public Defender of Rights

The Ombudsman, who protects persons against the conduct of authorities and acts as the equality body under the Anti-Discrimination Act, providing advice and methodology on discrimination.

GDPR lawful basis

Processing of personal data must rest on one of six bases in art. 6 GDPR: consent, contract, legal obligation, vital interests, public task or legitimate interest; special categories need an art. 9 condition.

Data breach notification

A controller must notify the supervisory authority of a personal data breach within 72 hours of becoming aware of it where a risk to rights and freedoms is likely, and inform data subjects where the risk is high.

Data boxes

Electronic repositories for delivery of official documents under Act No. 300/2008 Sb.; a document delivered through a data box is deemed delivered on the day the recipient logs in, or after ten days.

Access to information deadline

A public authority must provide requested information within 15 days of receipt, extendable to 30 days in complex cases; a refusal must be reasoned and is reviewable.

Value for money

The principle requiring that public resources be used economically, efficiently and effectively; each expenditure must be justified, documented and subject to audit under Act No. 320/2001 Sb.