We work for a strong rule of law

The updated strategy of the Ministry of Justice strengthens the role of the Ministry of Justice as the ministry responsible for the rule of law and democracy.

The six impact objectives of the strategy form the key pillars of the Ministry’s activities. The strategy also reflects our role in international cooperation and in implementing Sustainable Development Goals. Knowledge-based management and more extensive utilisation of digitalisation are other cross-cutting themes.

The vision of the Ministry of Justice is an open, active and safe society where people can be confident that their rights will be respected.

The Ministry of Justice – Ministry for the rule of law and democracy. The six impact objectives of the strategy.

We respect one another

The shared values and practices of the central government are reflected in our work.

  • We act in a transparent and just manner.
  • We work to promote equality and non-discrimination.
  • Our activities are based on trust and strong expertise.
  • Impartiality and independence ensure the high quality and effectiveness of our activities.

The change in the operating environment

Key drivers for change in the operating environment are

  • International development of the rule of law and rising authoritarianism
  • Changes in democracy and ways of participating
  • Growing inequalities and conflicting developments in non-discrimination and equality
  • Transformation of the information environment
  • Security is fragmented and intertwined. 

Impact targets of the strategy

1. Everyone has an equal opportunity to participate and influence

  • We maintain trust and confidence in the structures of society and in the activities of the authorities.
  • We ensure the development of democracy and secure the functioning of the electoral system.
  • We support open and diverse opportunities for participation, good relations between population groups, and an active civil society.
  • We ensure the realisation of equality, fundamental and human rights, linguistic rights and minority rights.
  • We act transparently and combat corruption.
  • We support the development of the rule of law, democracy and human rights in the EU and internationally as well as at home.
  • We improve the availability of digital services while ensuring information security and data protection.

2. The legal order ensures a favourable operating environment and promotes stability

  • We strengthen trust between people, businesses and communities through proactive and up-to-date regulation.
  • In addition to legislation, we recognise the opportunities offered by other steering instruments.
  • We explore new solutions to improve opportunities for people, businesses and communities to act.
  • We ensure the operation of the rule of law.
  • We work to ensure that EU law and international norms strengthen a predictable operating environment where the principle of legal certainty is respected.

3. High-quality law drafting is a prerequisite for a well-functioning society

  • We work to improve transparency and ensure clear communication in law drafting.
  • We participate in developing and implementing training on law drafting within the Government.
  • We strengthen our impact assessments and knowledge-based approach.
  • We utilise technology and strengthen our foresight expertise. 
  • We support the Government through our special expertise in public law, EU law and data protection legislation.

4. Everyone has access to high-quality legal protection

  • We support the preconditions for a fair trial and good governance.
  • We streamline our customer processes and improve the usability of our e-services.
  • We enhance the exchange of information between authorities.
  • We improve access to legal protection through digitalisation.
  • We develop alternative ways to resolve civil and criminal cases.
  • We also contribute to the implementation of legal protection in cross-border cases.

5. Criminality and the sense of insecurity are reduced

  • We strengthen crime prevention efforts together with our partners.
  • We promote the fair and predictable enforcement of criminal liability.
  • We improve the functioning of the criminal procedure chain.
  • We prevent polarisation in society and promote good relations between population groups.
  • We engage in international cooperation to combat cross-border crime.
  • We make the criminal sanctions system clearer and develop the contents of sanctions to prevent recidivism and to promote social integration.

6. Systematic renewal is based on foresight

  • We invest in skilled work communities with a high level of wellbeing.
  • We enable high-quality and efficient operations through coaching leadership and a well-functioning organisational structure and by developing our network of premises.
  • We use digitalisation to improve our services and productivity.
  • We ensure fiscal leeway while securing favourable operating conditions for our administrative branch and taking care of the proportionality of resources.
  • We employ a knowledge-based approach in our preparation work and decision-making.
  • We strengthen our foresight expertise.
  • We acknowledge and promote sustainable development in our work.

The strategy is put into practice through a performance agreement

The strategy is put into practice through a performance agreement, which covers a period of four years at a time. The agreement lays down the practical measures and resources for achieving the performance targets, taking into account the Government's policies and changes in the operating environment. The performance targets of the Ministry of Justice are reviewed annually in the negotiations between the Permanent Secretary, the Ministry's departments and the advisory staff to the Permanent Secretary.

The achievement of the targets is assessed each year in the annual report, which is part of the Ministry's final accounts. In August, a half-yearly report is prepared, which includes an initial assessment of the foreseeable risks, changes in the operating environment and ways to manage them.

Performance targets for the agencies in the Ministry’s administrative branch are agreed upon in the performance target negotiations conducted between the Ministry and the agency concerned. The performance targets for the administrative branch are based on the policies already adopted by the Minister during the preparation of the budget, and they are confirmed by the Permanent Secretary on presentation of the Director General of the Department for Administration and Oversight.

Planning documents related to the performance guidance in the administrative branch of the Ministry of Justice