Danish Police Law and Administrative Legal Principles

Formal Power of Law (Den formelle lovskraft)

The legal principle stating that a rule lower in the normative hierarchy cannot contradict or override a rule higher in the hierarchy.

Substantive Principle of Legality (Det materielle legalitetsprincip)

The administrative principle (hjemmelskravet) requiring that any government or police interference with citizens' legal rights must have a explicit basis in statutory law.

Hierarchy of Legal Norms

The 4-level structure of administrative law: Level 1 (Constitution / Grundloven), Level 2 (Statutes / Lov), Level 3 (Executive Orders / Bekendtgørelse), and Level 4 (Circulars and Guidance / Cirkulære/Vejledning).

Police Act Section 2 (§ 2)

The statutory provision defining the general tasks of the police, including preserving order, averting danger, preventing/investigating crimes, and assisting citizens.