Expert review of primary and secondary legislation on the demotion of civil servants. Expert review of official and academic reports (e.g. by the ombudsman, by the body in charge of the inspection of the civil service, if it exists, and by the civil service central co-ordination unit). If there are separate provisions regulating the senior civil service, they are not assessed under this sub-indicator. Shortcomings in the clarity of the legal provisions means that the legislation allows for different interpretations or lack of precision, or the process set in secondary legislation (for example related to disciplinary procedures or appraisals) does not fully guarantee decisions based on merit. Shortcomings in the practice of dismissals are identified by analysing official, well-documented reports or reliable academic studies that show significant shortcomings in the practice of dismissals.