Presentation of further evidence and service

It is possible to present new evidence to the Court, either as an enclosure to the appeals document or at a later stage. However, it is recommended to present such additional evidence, or at least to give notice about it, as soon as possible after the initiation of proceedings.

The Insurance Court may also procure additional evidence on its own initiative. Such evidence may be requested from the parties, or for example from other public authorities. Any evidence presented after the case has been settled is not taken into account and the evidence is returned to the sender.

The parties are informed in writing about additional evidence presented to the Court. They are given an opportunity to study it and to give a written reply.

Providing additional evidence by e-mail or by telefax

The Insurance Court may be contacted and additional evidence concerning a pending case can be provided also by means of e-mail or by telefax. When providing evidence by e-mail it must always be sent to the address vakuutusoikeus(at)oikeus.fi. The sender will by e-mail get confirmation that his or her e-mail has been received.

The Insurance Court recommends that additional evidence sent by e-mail shall be contained in the body of the electronic message and not in an enclosed file. It is not recommended to send additional evidence in such an enclosure. However, the Insurance Court draws applicants' attention to security matters in electronic communication. Confidential or other sensitive information should not be sent by e-mail.

Legal costs and aid

Proceedings in the Insurance Court are free of charge. However, a document fee is charged for specially requested documents. If the applicant has an attorney, the applicant is liable for paying the attorney's fee. An institution as opposite party may however upon request be ordered to pay the applicant's legal costs if his or her request is accepted.

An applicant may be granted legal aid for a case to be heard by the Insurance Court, if the applicant's financial situation, or other related matters, justify granting such aid. In that case the legal costs will be paid out of State funds, either in full or in part. Legal aid shall be applied for with the Legal Aid Office.

Statistics

The Insurance Court employs circa 110 persons on a full time basis. The personnel participating in law application consists of circa 60 persons.

The Court annually settles circa 10.000 cases. The most important case groups concern earnings-related pensions, unemployment security, financial aid for students, occupational accidents and criminally caused injuries. In 2008 9.218 cases were settled. Decisions subject to appeal were amended in 1.409 cases, i.e. the average percentage was 15,3 %. The number of resolved applications for annulment of decisions was 531 of which 390 applications, i.e. 73,4 % were accepted. In 2008 the Insurance Court held oral hearings in four cases.

In principle cases are heard in the Insurance Court in the order of arrival. Particularly complicated cases, the extent of the documentation or substantial additional evidence may however cause prolongations. At the moment the average time for hearing a case is 11 months.

Updated on 26 March 2009