In Finland the Acts passed by Parliament are first drafted in the Ministry that is competent in the matter in question. The position of the Ministry of Justice is significant since it is in charge of the law drafting in constitutional matters and in matters of general administrative law as well as in matters relating to the legal position of private persons and organizations, such as family and inheritance law, contract law, consumer protection, law of damages and company law. The Ministry of Justice further drafts government bills for Parliament in the fields of enforcement, bankruptcy, debt restructuring, criminal law and legal proceedings.

The law drafting is primarily concentrated in the Law Drafting Department. Statute proposals drafted at the different ministries are checked by the Unit of Legislative Inspection at the Department. The Ministry of Justice and its Law Drafting Department are also responsible for developing the law drafting of the Government as a whole.

The European Law Unit acts as an expert in issues of EU law.

Director General Pekka Nurmi, tel. +358 (0)9 1606 7670
Public Law Unit, Director of Legislation Sami Manninen, tel. +358 (0)9 1606 7690
Criminal and Procedural Law Unit, Director of Legislation Asko Välimaa, tel. +358 (0)9 1606 7700
Civil Law Unit, Director of Legislation Antti Leinonen, tel. +358 (0)9 1606 7713
Unit of Legislative Inspection, Director Taina Riihinen, tel. +358 (0)9 1606 7680
European Law Unit, Counsellor of Legislation Jaana Jääskeläinen, tel. +358 (0)9 1606 7747

Updated on June 3, 2009