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...

In individual cases, the President of the Republic may, after obtaining a statement from the Supreme Court, grant a full or partial pardon to a person sentenced to a punishment or other criminal sanction by a court of law.

25.6.2026 | The Government proposes that the current legislation on arbitration be reformed to correspond to the best international practices. In addition, the Finnish terminology of the act would be made gender neutral. The objective is to improve the competitiveness of arbitration in Finland and to reform the act.

1.9.2026 | On 1 September 2026, the Government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo reached a decision on its budget proposal for 2027 and is steadily implementing the agenda it agreed at the spending limits session. The agenda includes EUR 100 million of investment in construction and numerous transport infrastructure projects. The Government’s targeted measures will support economic growth.

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...

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...

15.1.2026 | Today the Government decided in its plenary session to submit to Parliament the Government Report on the Application of Language Legislation in 2025. The report provides important monitoring data on the current state of Finland’s national languages and other indigenous languages and on the realisation of linguistic rights.

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 ...

18.12.2025 | A working group proposes that the Arbitration Act be reformed by replacing it with a new act. The objective is, in accordance with the Government Programme, to improve the competitiveness of arbitration in Finland and make the act correspond to the best international practices.

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: ...

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.

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 ...

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...

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...