Judicial system in Finland

The judicial administration provides legal security. Legal security is a fundamental right of the people. Under the Constitution of Finland, everyone is entitled to have his or her case heard by a court or an authority appropriately and without undue delay.

In addition, under the Constitution everyone is entitled to have a decision affecting his or her rights or obligations reviewed by a court or another judicial authority. Furthermore, the Constitution contains a fundamental provision on the guarantees of a fair trial and good public administration. Some of the most important such guarantees are the openness of proceedings, the right to be heard, the right to receive a reasoned decision and the right to appeal against the decision.

The judicial administration consists of the independent courts of law, prosecution service, enforcement authorities, who see to the enforcement of judgments, The Criminal Sanctions Agency, who sees to the enforcement of custodial sentences, and Bar Association and the other avenues of legal aid.

In Finland the Ministry of the Interior is responsible for the guidance and supervision of the police.

This website contains general information on the activities of the judicial administration. Special cases and exceptions have been omitted. You will not necessarily be able to take care of your legal or judicial problems merely by reference to this website.

The Ministry of Justice assumes no responsibility for possible errors in the contents of this website.

Courts of law
Prosecution service
Enforcement authorities
Legal aid

European legal remedies
Constitution, Ministry of Justice's website
Overseers of Legality, Ministry of Justice's website

The Criminal Sanctions Agency
The Finnish Bar Association
Police

Updated on 20 February 2013