History

Legal aid activity began in Espoo on March 4, 1971 when a legal aid office was opened in Muurala.

Legal aid was directed to persons living permanently in the city of Espoo who due to their financial situation could not get this type of help. Legal aid was free of charge.

The population of Espoo was 99,000 in 1972. In the first year of operation there were 279 client visits.

On May 7, 1980 the City Council of Espoo approved the motion to link the city to general legal aid operations. General legal aid was given free of charge or against a partial compensation depending on the financial position of the applicant. On the basis of a co-operation agreement the city of Espoo also started to take care of the legal aid matters of the municipality of Kirkkonummi and the city of Kauniainen. A branch office was established in Kirkkonummi.

Over the years the number of clients has increased tenfold, it was at its highest on an annual level during the depression years of the 1990's. Approximately 60% of the cases have been in the area of family and inheritance law. Criminal cases have accounted for 20%.

The President of the Republic confirmed the law on general legal aid and on state legal aid offices on February 6, 1998. As from June 1, 1998 general legal aid activity was totally transferred from the local authorities to the state.

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Updated on February 27, 2002