Activity

The Market Court started its activity on 1st March 2002 pursuant to the Market Court Act which entered into force on that date.

1. The tasks of the Market Court

The Market Court is a special court hearing cases that have been subjected to its jurisdiction by:

1) the Act on Competition Restrictions;
2) the Public Procurement Act;
3) the Act on Certain Proceedings before the Market Court; and
4) other legislation.

2. Hearing of a case at the Market Court

The activity of the Market Court is conducted by a Chief Judge. The Market Court also comprises four Market Court Judges and a sufficient number of case-handlers, i.e., Market Court Referendaires (Legal Secretaries).

Both legally qualified members and part-time expert members participate in the hearing of cases. In the spring of 2002, the Council of State assigned 16 expert members to the Market Court for a term of four years. The expert members hold a suitable Master's degree and are familiar with competition law, procurement, economics, business life, financial affairs, consumer protection or marketing.

At the Market Court, one legally qualified member can give a ruling if an appeal, petition or claim in a case has been withdrawn or the case is dismissed or dropped without considering the merits. Otherwise, three legally qualified members constitute a quorum. Competition cases are dealt with by legally qualified members together with a minimum of one or a maximum of three expert members. From one to three expert members can also take part in hearing market law and public procurement cases if the nature of the case requires it.

However, if the case-law in a case to be decided is well established, two legally qualified members will constitute a quorum of the Market Court.

Whenever a case may be of significance in principle as regards application of a law or if a ruling were to depart from earlier case-law, the Chief Judge can refer the case for consideration before a larger panel of members (a reinforced hearing). The case is then considered by four legally qualified members and a maximum of four expert members.

In competition and public procurement cases, the procedure is governed by the provisions of the Act on Competition Restrictions and the Public Procurement Act together with the provisions of the Administrative Judicial Procedure Act. As a rule, the proceedings are conducted in writing. Nevertheless, the Market Court can hold an oral hearing if necessary in order to clarify the case. Market Court rulings in competition and public procurement cases are subject to appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court.

In market law cases, the procedure is governed by the provisions of the Act on Certain Proceedings before the Market Court and the Code of Judicial Procedure. As a rule, written preparation is followed by an oral preparatory hearing and then by an oral main hearing. Market Court rulings in market law cases may be appealed to the Supreme Court if the latter grants leave to appeal.

3. General fee for court proceedings

The initiator of a case shall pay a general fee of EUR 226 for the hearing of the case at the Market Court.

4. Members and staff

Chief Judge
Kimmo Mikkola

Market Court Judges
Maarit Lindroos-Kokkonen
Anne Ekblom-Wörlund
Pertti Virtanen (off duty)
Jussi Karttunen (off duty)
Nina Korjus
Sami Myöhänen
Ville Parkkari
Pasi Yli-Ikkelä
Jaakko Ritvala
Sami Rautiainen
Matti Vedenkannas
Olli Wikberg
Tapio Erme
Anita Linnakangas

Expert members 1.4.2010 - 31.3.2014

Cases concerning competition, public procurement, the electricity market and the natural gas market

Doctor of Laws, trained on the Bench Antti Aine
Director; Products & Regulatory, Master of Laws trained on the bench Janne Holopainen
Chief Legal Officer Merja Karhapää
Director, D.Sc. Aki Koponen
Professor Emeritus, Doctor of Science (Technology) Erkki Lakervi
Professor, Doctor of Law Ulla Liukkunen
Professor, Ph.D. Minna Mattila
Principal performance auditor, LL.D Kalle Määttä
Aurhorised Public Accountant, Auktoriserad Revisor Jarmo Uusitalo
Vice President, Legal Affairs Kristiina Vuori

Market law cases

Legal Counsellor, Master of Law Risto Airikkala
Master of Laws trained on the bench Kristiina Kemetter
Professor, Ph.D. Lars-Johan Lindqvist
Professor, Doctor of Laws Jaana Norio-Timonen
Managing Director Tiina Oksala
Legal Counsel, LL.Lic. Paula Paloranta
Doctor of Laws, trained on the Bench Taina Pihlajarinne
Lawyer in Chief, LL.M. Tuula Sario
Secretary General, LL.M. Timo Vuori
Lecturer, DSc. Risto Väntsi

Market Court Referendaires
Virpi Salomaa
Pasi Yli-Ikkelä (off duty)
Riitta Hämäläinen (off duty)
Saija Laitinen
Riikka Innanen (off duty)
Emilia Perttunen
Juhana Tuunanen (off duty)
Kati Haanpää
Kiira Vallinkoski
Niina Heikman
Jukka Koivusalo
Hannamaria Nurminen

Staff

Department secretary
Elina Hanhela

Notary
Jaana Mäkinen
Kirsti Tunturi

Office secretaries
Marja Suonsivu
Maria Kallio
Pia Toivonen
Ilkka Salonen