In Finland the Ministry of Justice is responsible for the national preparation of legal affairs included in the EU cooperation in justice and home affairs. The Ministry is also in charge of the preparation of matters pertaining to the promotion of consumer protection and the regulation of company law.

In projects related to general contract law and tort law the Ministry of Justice is responsible also for matters forming part of another ministry’s duties. In addition, institutional questions regarding the transparency and democracy of EU activities and the improvement of the quality of EU legislation fall under the purview of the Ministry of Justice.

In the field of justice and home affairs the Ministry of the Interior is responsible for police and customs cooperation and matters related to immigration and asylum.

Consumer Affairs and Company Law

Both the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Commerce and Trade are responsible for the preparation of consumer affairs in the EU. The duties of the Ministry of Justice include i.a. matters related to the legal protection of the consumer, consumer contracts and marketing, whereas the duties of the Ministry of the Interior comprise i.a. general consumer policy, consumer information and consumer education as well as product safety.

The preparation of the legislation on private-law corporations and foundations in the EU is divided between several ministries. The Ministry of Justice is responsible for the preparation of general corporate law legislation (company legislation, associations legislation).

The Ministry of Justice also participates in the preparation of i.a. the EC legislation on liability for environmental damages.

European Law Unit

The European Law Unit of the Ministry of Justice acts as the Council of State expert on EU law. It assists the ministries in issues concerning implementation and monitoring of EU directives. The unit further participates in the drafting of Finnish views on matters pending in the EC court.

Links:

Justice, Freedom and Security (in European Commissions webpages)

More links: Other Ministries of Justice, EU institutions, Finnish Government etc.

More information conserning the area of freedom, security and justice:

Freedom, security and justice

An area of freedom, security and justice: historic stages

Tampere, five years on

Fundamental Rights

Constitution: Bringing together the EU treaties

EUROJUST. Helping the EU's legal systems to cooperate

(Publications of the European Commission, pdf-files, 2 pages)

Updated on 31 October 2005