In Finland the enforcement of civil judgements is the duty of the District Bailiffs (kihlakunnanvouti), who are administratively within the ambit of the Ministry of Justice.

The bailiffs have general jurisdiction to ensure compliance with obligations laid down in court judgements. In practice these most often take the form of judgement debts. If the judgement is not heeded voluntarily, it is carried out compulsorily, by way of enforcement. Due taxes and public fees, as well as certain comparable civil debts, are executable without need for a judgement.

Also criminal sanctions of a monetary nature, such as fines, are collected by way of enforcement. In addition, the enforcement authorities are charged with the carrying out of evictions, court-ordered asset seizures and court orders on child custody and right of access.

The decisions of the bailiffs are subject to appeal in a District Court.