Justices and other personnel of the courts of appeal

The head of a court of appeal is called Chief Justice (FI: presidentti / SV: president). The other members of the court of appeal are called Senior Justices or Justices. Cases are presented for decision by legally trained referendaries, who are called Senior Assistant Justices or Assistant Justices. The referendaries and the members see to the preparation and the hearing of cases in a court of appeal. In addition, the courts of appeal have clerical staff.

A court of appeal operates in divisions. Each division is headed by a Senior Justice. The Senior Assistant Justice is the most senior referendary in a given division.

The members of a court of appeal are appointed by the President of the Republic, on the basis of a draft decision presented by the government. Prior to this, the appointment has been prepared by the Judicial Appointments Board. The courts of appeal appoint their own referendaries and other office staff.

A court of appeal may have also temporary Justices. These have the same rights and obligations in judicial procedure matters as a tenured Justice.

Updated on 29 December 2010