When all the material necessary to review the matter is available, the administrative court makes its decision. The decision is mailed to the parties. In urgent matters, the parties may also be informed of the decision in another manner.

A minimum of three judges participate in the making of the decision. The decision is made on the basis of the draft decision prepared by the referendary. In matters relating to mental health, child welfare, mental disability, abuse of intoxicants and infectious diseases two judges and an expert member participate in the decision-making. In matters governed by the Water Act and the Environmental Protection Act one or more of the judges shall be experts in technology or natural sciences.

A decision of an administrative court may usually be appealed to the Supreme Administrative Court. In, for example, taxation matters an appeal against a decision of an administrative court may, however, be lodged only if the Supreme Administrative Court grants leave of appeal. Appeals against administrative court decisions are totally forbidden in very few types of matters.

The Supreme Administrative Court is the highest administrative court. It decides, as the court of last instance questions regarding the lawfulness and fairness of administrative decisions.

The administrative court issues appeal instructions in connection with its decisions.