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Abzeichnungspflicht

countersignature requirement; obligation to have a draft initialled by a superior

noun AP-tsykh-noongs-pflykht Rare
People & Society Government

Usage Note

Abzeichnungspflicht means a civil servant's draft decision must be approved and initialled by a superior before despatch. It is a core internal control in German public administration. Plural: Abzeichnungspflichten.

Examples

"Wegen der Abzeichnungspflicht musste das Schreiben noch vom Abteilungsleiter genehmigt werden."

Natural Translation

Because of the countersignature requirement, the letter still had to be approved by the department head.

Literal Translation

Because of the countersignature obligation the letter still had to be approved by the department head.

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