How to apply for legal aid

Legal aid may be applied for at any of the Public Legal Aid Offices in the country, regardless of where the applicant resides. The most convenient way is to file the application at the nearest Office.

The applicant must present evidence on both income and expenses he or she wishes to have subtracted and on wealth and debts. In addition, the applicant must provide information about the matter for which legal aid is being sought and on any legal expenses insurance he or she may have.

From March 1st, 2010, legal aid can be applied for electronically. The electronic application, in Finnish and in Swedish, can be found through this site at the page Oikeusavun asiointipalvelut (Legal Aid e-Service) or directly on address asiointi.oikeus.fi.

The applicant will need a Finnish online bank user ID to apply electronically. If the electronic application is inaccessible to the applicant, he or she may apply for legal aid at a Public Legal Aid Office. Contact information for the Legal Aid Offices can be found using the link below.

If the applicant wishes to be assisted by a private attorney in a court matter, the attorney may file the application for legal aid.

Public Legal Aid Offices
Financial circumstances
Legal expenses insurance
The Legal Aid Application Form
Private attorney
Means-testing
Contact information of Legal Aid Offices
Oikeusavun asiointipalvelut (Legal Aid e-Service)

Updated on 25 January 2011