FAQ
On this page, we have collected answers to the questions we are asked most often
If you have any questions, please contact us
In general
Who is considered to be a lawyer in Finland?
A lawyer is a person with a higher university degree in law. This higher qualification means a Master of Laws degree (LL.M.).
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer in Finland?
In legal services, the basis for billing is often hours worked. The lawyer’s legal fees are therefore determined by the number of hours worked. Other forms of billing may also be agreed. The price of hourly billing varies from one operator to another (usually starting at €200-300) and also depends on the nature of the case. It is advisable to discuss the price level before the assignment is given.
What if you can't afford a lawyer in Finland?
Legal costs may be covered by legal expenses insurance depending on the terms of the insurance. Alternatively, if you need expert help with a legal matter but are unable to pay the costs yourself due to your financial situation, it is possible in many cases to get all or part of the costs covered by the state under legal aid. You can apply for legal aid at any legal aid office, wherever you live.
Who is responsible for paying the fee of the lawyer?
Usually the costs are paid by the party who hired the lawyer. In some cases the costs are paid by an insurance company or the state. Legal expenses insurance can cover the policyholder’s costs in civil and criminal cases. In criminal cases, it is often possible to obtain full or partial coverage of legal costs from the state under legal aid.
In civil cases, the general rule is that the losing party pays the costs. In this way, the winning party can be reimbursed for what it has paid to its lawyer.
Is the witness entitled to a fee?
Witnesses are entitled to reasonable compensation for necessary travel and subsistence expenses and financial loss, but compensation must always be requested. If the witness has been appointed by the prosecutor or a party who has been granted legal aid, the witness will be compensated from state funds. If the witness is called by a private party who has not been granted legal aid, the witness will be compensated by the private party.
If I am summoned to court, do I have to attend?
The summons will state the threat under which you are obliged to appear. In civil litigation, there is usually no obligation to appear, but failure to appear will usually result in the other party’s claims being accepted and a default judgment being given. In criminal cases, you are often obliged to appear.
Do I need a lawyer for my case, or can I handle it myself?
In district courts and other courts of first instance, a party can always handle his or her case themselves. Whether this is wise is another matter. Legal matters are often complex and difficult to grasp for those without legal training. Consequently, since the court cannot assist a party in his or her case without becoming biased, it is possible that the party will not be able to enforce all his or her rights in the case.
Criminal matters
On what grounds is it possible to apply for a restraining order?
A restraining order may be imposed, if there are reasonable grounds to assume that the person against whom the order is applied for is likely to commit an offence against the life, health, liberty or privacy of the person who feels threatened or in some other way severely harass this person.
An inside-the-family restraining order may be imposed, if the person against whom the restraining order is applied for, judged by the threats he or she has made, his or her previous offences or other behaviour is likely to commit an offence against the life, health or liberty of the person who feels threatened, and the imposition of a restraining order is not unreasonable with regard to the severity of the impending offence, the circumstances of the persons living in the same household and other facts presented in the case.
How to apply for a restraining order?
A person who feels threatened or harassed, or a prosecutor, police or social authority, can request a restraining order. Usually the request is made in writing. The application must state who is threatening or harassing the applicant/represented person and explain what kind of threat or harassment is involved. A view on whether the threat or harassment should continue without a restraining order should also be stated. The applicant’s statement alone may not be sufficient to establish the threat or harassment alleged, but must be supported by evidence to support the claim. Therefore, the application should also state what evidence the applicant has of the threat or harassment described, such as witnesses or written evidence.
What kind of restraining orders can be imposed?
A person who is subject to a restraining order may not meet the person whom the order is intended to protect or otherwise contact him or her or attempt to do so (basic restraining order). It is also forbidden to follow and observe the person whom the order is intended to protect. A person on whom an inside-the-family restraining order has been imposed must leave the residence where he or she and the person protected permanently live together, and he or she may not return there.
For how long is the restraining order valid?
A restraining order may be imposed for a maximum period of one year. However, an inside-the-family restraining order may be imposed for a maximum of three months and a technically monitored restraining order for a maximum of six months. The restraining order takes effect when the district court decides to impose the restraining order. The restraining order may be renewed. In this case, the restraining order may be imposed for a maximum period of two years. However, in the case of an inside-the-family restraining order and a technically monitored restraining order, the maximum period of the renewed order is three months. The renewal of the order may be requested before the expiry of the previous order.
What does it cost to apply for a restraining order?
There is no court fee.
The district court may appoint an advocate to assist the applicant or the person whom the order is intended to protect, if he or she is not the applicant, in which case the costs of the proceedings will be covered by state funds. This is subject to the condition that the application is based on a suspicion of a crime against the life, health or freedom of the person to be protected by the restraining order, and that the suspicion is justified in view of the seriousness of the crime suspected, the personal circumstances of the person to be protected by the restraining order and other circumstances.
If the application is based on alleged harassment, the applicant shall bear the costs. In this situation, it may be possible to determine whether the applicant is entitled to legal aid. Legal aid will depend on the applicant’s income and the nature of the case.
What is the purpose of a restraining order?
A restraining order can for example be used to prevent a person against whom the restraining order has been applied for from contacting you or from approaching you or your home in order to protect your life, health, freedom or peace.
Questions regarding our company
I don't live in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, but can you still take my case?
Your place of residence does not prevent us from taking care of your case and we have extensive means to arrange, for example, remote consultations.