Mandatory consultations and transition costs: the method before reform
Credible reform does not begin with an announced saving. It begins with legal obligations, required consultations and the costs of moving from the old system to the new one.
Two questions before any reform
Who must be consulted? and what will the transition cost? A reform may be sound in substance but legally weakened by the omission of a mandatory opinion. It may also advertise gross savings without including the cost of transferring staff, systems, contracts and premises.
Initial consultation map
| Consultation | When it may apply | Risk if omitted |
|---|---|---|
| Conseil d’État | Government bills, ordinances and decrees requiring its opinion | Procedural irregularity or inability to adopt the text |
| Social dialogue | Service organisation, employment and working conditions | Litigation, social conflict and unworkable implementation |
| CNIL | Personal data, algorithms, files and data interconnections | Non-compliance with data-protection law |
| Local-government consultation | Rules with a material impact on local authorities | Weak legal design and unassessed local cost |
| Independent authorities | Depending on the field: media, competition, health or energy | Missing expertise or a legally required opinion |
| European Union | State aid, competition, procurement, data or environmental law | Incompatibility with European Union law |
There is no universal list valid for every reform. Requirements depend on the exact text, subject and effects.
Transition-cost calculation method
Annual net saving A = G − R
Cumulative gain over H years = max(0, H − D/12) × A − C₀
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | Annual net saving after transferred recurring costs. |
| G | Annual gross saving before transferred costs. |
| R | Recurring costs that continue elsewhere: retained missions, staff, systems and contracts. |
| H | Calculation horizon in years. |
| D | Delay before savings begin, in months. |
| C₀ | One-off transition cost: IT migration, compensation, training, relocation and legal advice. |
Educational calculator
This calculator is educational. It does not replace a full budget estimate, discounted-cash-flow analysis or risk assessment.