High Court of Impeachment

The High Court of Impeachment deals with charges brought against a member of the Government or the Chancellor of Justice, the Parliamentary Ombudsman or a member of the Supreme Court or the Supreme Administrative Court for unlawful conduct in office. In addition, the High Court of Impeachment deals with charges concerning the criminal liability of the President of the Republic.

Trial in the High Court of Impeachment

The President of the High Court of Impeachment convenes the Court when he or she has received a decision to bring a charge. The decision to bring a charge in a matter concerning the legal responsibility of a Minister is made by the Parliament, after having obtained an opinion from the Constitutional Law Committee. Cases in the High Court of Impeachment are prosecuted by the Prosecutor General. However, the Chancellor of Justice or the Parliamentary Ombudsman may prosecute a member of the Supreme Court or the Supreme Administrative Court. A private citizen cannot bring up a case in the High Court of Impeachment. Matters are, as appropriate, dealt with in the High Court of Impeachment in a similar way as criminal cases. A judgment of the High Court of Impeachment may not be appealed.

Members of the High Court of Impeachment

The President of the Supreme Court functions as the President of the High Court of Impeachment; the other members are the President of the Supreme Administrative Court and the three most senior-ranking Presidents of the Courts of Appeal and five members elected by the Parliament for a term of four years.

• President of the High Court of Impeachment: Pauliine Koskelo, President of the Supreme Court
• Deputy President of the High Court of Impeachment: Pekka Hallberg, President of the Supreme Administrative Court
• Esko Oikarinen, President of the Rovaniemi Court of Appeal
• Antero Pajala, President of the Turku Court of Appeal
• Mikko Könkkölä, President of the Helsinki Court of Appeal

Members elected by the Parliament 1.1.2012 - 31.12.2015

• Jussi Järventaus
• Päivi Luostarinen
• Tuula Haatainen
• Lasse Lehtinen
• Esko Kiviranta

Contact information

Marjukka Arponen, Secretary, telephone 029 56 40101, e-mail marjukka.arponen(at)oikeus.fi

The Constitution of Finland, Section 101, Finlex Data Bank
Parliament of Finland - High Court of Impeachment - Members

Uppdated on 3 January 2012