Department for Private Law and Administration of Justice The Department for Private Law and Administration of Justice is responsible for law drafting in the fields of private law, insolvency law, and judicial procedure in civil and petitionary mat...

Finland – a state governed by the rule of law Finnish democracy is built on the rule of law. The rule of law and respect for fundamental rights are key principles enshrined in the Constitution of Finland. Finland is also committed to these princip...

Service of Documents In connection with judicial proceedings, courts sometimes need to serve documents, such as summonses and invitations to appear in court, on persons residing or companies located in another country. When the service of document...

Taking of evidence Taking of evidence through international legal assistance is required when a witness to be heard or a document to be used as evidence in judicial proceedings is located abroad. As a rule, courts have three options if they wish t...

The Ministry of Justice The Ministry of Justice maintains and develops legal order and legal protection, reinforces the structures of democracy, and safeguards citizens’ fundamental rights. The Ministry is responsible for drafting the key legislat...

Legal protection The Ministry of Justice drafts the provisions which aim to ensure fair trials and good governance. The Ministry also prepares the laws relating to enforcement, bankruptcy and debt adjustment. The independent courts are responsible...

Processing of personal data in the services of the Ministry of Justice The Ministry of Justice processes personal data in order to comply with a legal obligation or, in certain situations, to perform a task carried out in the public interest or ba...

The aim of the working group is to propose legislative amendments required for the independence of the judiciary, in particular by ensuring constitutional guarantees for the independence of the judiciary. The working group is set up by a working group appointed by the Ministry of Justice in 2023 to examine the development of the judicial system and operates in connection with it.

Crime victims The Ministry of Justice is responsible for drafting the legislation related to the legal status of crime victims and for improving the position of crime victims within its mandate. The efforts to improve the position of crime victims...

Addresses The Unit for International Judicial Assistance functions as the designated Central Authority for the purposes of numerous EU regulations and international treaties concerning international cooperation in civil or criminal matters. The ke...

International Recovery Of Maintenance The EU legislation and several international treaties binding on Finland contain provisions on the international aspects of maintenance obligations and payments. Within the framework of these arrangements, it ...

Criminal procedure The criminal procedure consists of several stages. If there is, on the basis of a report made to the police or otherwise, reason to suspect that an offence has been committed, the police or another criminal investigation authori...

Justice affairs in the EU EU affairs at the Ministry of Justice The Ministry of Justice is responsible for EU projects within its mandate and seeks to influence EU legislation proactively. The objective is to ensure that Finland’s interests are se...

Mutual Legal Assistance Whenever evidence is available in a foreign country or a party to criminal proceedings or witness is located there, mutual legal assistance is required. The most important categories of mutual legal assistance are procuring...

Act on the Openness of Government Activities Brochure Which documents are governed by the Act? Public authorities whose documents are governed by the Act on the Openness of Government Activities include, for example state administrative authoritie...

Ministry of Justice Minister of Justice Leena Meri The Finns Party Minister of Justice Leena Meri heads the Ministry of Justice. Minister Meri is responsible for all other matters covered by the Ministry of Justice except for those related to the ...

The organisation of the Ministry of Justice The Ministry of Justice is headed by the Minister of Justice. The Permanent Secretary directs the Ministry's activities together with the Minister of Justice. There are four departments at the Ministry: ...

Recognition And Enforcement Of Decisions On Child Custody And Right Of Access The enforcement of a decision on child custody and/or right of access in a foreign country requires usually the existence of an international treaty. If a decision canno...

Enforcement of Civil Judgments This page contains general information on the enforcement of judgments in civil matters (such as judgments establishing a payment liability) in Finland. There are international treaties, EU legislation and national l...

Organising and securing the exercise of rights of access under the hague convention on international child abduction A child has the right to keep in touch and spend time with the parent with whom he or she does not reside also when the parent res...