Professional Communication and Decision-Making Skills
What this domain tests
How a public servant writes a reasoned decision, runs a consultation, handles petitions and communicates a negative answer without creating legal or reputational risk.
Core rules
- A reasoned decision follows a fixed skeleton: competent authority, facts established, legal basis, analysis applying law to facts, conclusion, appeal routes and deadlines.
- Plain language: short sentences, active voice, defined terms, no unnecessary jargon; the reader must understand the outcome and the next step.
- Consultation under Law No. 239/2008: publish the draft normative act, invite recommendations, consider them and give reasons for rejections.
- Petitions are handled under Law No. 190/1994: registered, examined within the statutory deadline, answered in writing, with the author informed of the outcome.
- Meetings produce minutes recording decisions, responsible persons and deadlines; confidentiality is claimed only on legal grounds.
- Structured decision-making separates interests from positions, tests options against evidence and the legal framework, and records why alternatives were rejected.
Worked example
A citizen writes an angry letter because his building permit was refused. Step 1: register and acknowledge. Step 2: answer the substance - the exact legal condition unmet, the evidence and the date. Step 3: state the appeal route and deadline, and do not comment on the tone. Step 4: record the response in the file so a court can later see the reasoning.
Traps that cost marks
Replying only orally; answering the tone instead of the legal issue; issuing a decision without appeal information; consulting after the decision is already adopted; using discriminatory or stigmatising wording.