NCJ Number
56924
Date Published
1978
Length
22 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF THE FINNISH LEGAL SYSTEM IS PRESENTED IN A BROCHURE PREPARED BY A LAWYERS' PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION.
Abstract
THE BROCHURE OPENS WITH A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF FINLAND'S FORM OF GOVERNMENT, LEGISLATIVE MECHANISM, AND LEGAL TRADITIONS. DATA ON THE NUMBERS AND SPECIALTIES OF LAWYERS IN FINLAND FROM 1928 THROUGH 1975 ARE PRESENTED, TOGETHER WITH INFORMATION ON LEGAL EDUCATION, LAW SCHOOLS, REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION, DEGREE REQUIREMENTS. THE FINNISH BAR, AND THE PURPOSE, STRUCTURE, ORGANIZATION, AND ACTIVITIES OF THE UNION OF FINNISH LAWYERS, THE 'LABOR MARKET ORGANIZATION' THAT PRODUCED THE BROCHURE ARE DISCUSSED. ALSO INCLUDED IS INFORMATION ON THE FINNISH LEGAL LITERATURE; DUTIES OF THE CHANCELLOR OF JUSTICE AND THE PARLIAMENTARY OMBUDSMAN, WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THE COURTS AND PUBLIC AUTHORITIES ADHERE TO THE LAW; THE HISTORY, JURISDICTION, ORGANIZATION, AND PERSONNEL OF EACH TYPE OF COURT IN FINLAND; AND PROCEDURE FOR APPOINTING JUDGES. IN FINLAND'S LOWER COURTS, JUSTICE IS ADMINISTERED BY A PROFESSIONAL JUDGE SITTING WITH A PANEL OF FIVE TO SEVEN LAY MEMBERS. THE PANEL MAY OVERRULE THE PROFESSIONAL JUDGE BY A UNANIMOUS VOTE. IF THE LAY MEMBERS DISAGREE AMONG THEMSELVES, THE PROFESSIONAL JUDGE DECIDES THE ISSUE. FEATURES THAT DISTINGUISH THE FINNISH LAY PANEL FROM THE ANGLO-SAXON JURY SYSTEM ARE POINTED OUT. PHOTOGRAPHS ILLUSTRATE THE BROCHURE. (LKM)