# Finnish — Litigation & Settlement Sub-Lexicon

Auto-generated from translation experience. Maps Finnish litigation, settlement, and
dispute resolution legal terms to their correct English equivalents. Covers civil
litigation (riita-asia), administrative litigation (hallintolainkäyttö), and criminal
proceedings (rikosasia) in addition to settlement and ADR.

## Core Settlement Terms

| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| sovinto / sovintosopimus | settlement / settlement agreement |
| tuomioistuinsovinto | judicial settlement / court settlement |
| tuomioistuimen ulkopuolinen sovinto | extrajudicial settlement |
| sovittelutulos | mediation settlement |
| sovintosumma / korvaus | settlement amount / settlement payment |
| riita / erimielisyys | dispute |
| vaatimus / vaade | claim |
| vaatimuksesta luopuminen | waiver of claims / release |
| molemminpuoliset myönnytykset | mutual concessions |
| vastuuvapauslauseke | release clause / waiver clause |
| salassapitolauseke | confidentiality clause |

## Litigation Terms

| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| oikeudenkäynti / riita-asia | litigation / civil proceedings |
| tuomioistuin | court |
| haastehakemus / kanne | claim / statement of claim |
| vastaus / vastine | answer / statement of defence (UK) / statement of defense (US) |
| todistelu / näyttö | evidence |
| kirjallinen todiste | documentary evidence |
| todistajankuulustelu | witness examination |
| asiantuntijalausunto | expert opinion |
| takavarikko | attachment / freezing order |
| ulosotto / täytäntöönpano | enforcement / execution |
| muutoksenhaku / valitus | appeal |
| asianajajan palkkio | legal fees / attorney fees |

## Arbitration Terms

| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| välimiesmenettely | arbitration |
| välityssopimus / välityslauseke | arbitration agreement / arbitration clause |
| välimiesmenettelylaki | Arbitration Act |
| Keskuskauppakamarin välimieslautakunta (FAI) | Finland Arbitration Institute (FAI) |
| välimies | arbitrator |
| välimiesoikeus | arbitral tribunal |
| yksinvälimies | sole arbitrator |
| välitystuomio | arbitral award |
| välimiesmenettelyn kulku | arbitral proceedings |
| hakija / kantaja | claimant |
| vastapuoli / vastaaja | respondent |
| vastakanteen | counterclaim |
| väliaikaiset turvaamistoimet | interim measures / provisional measures |
| välitystuomion kumoaminen | setting aside of an arbitral award |
| välitystuomion tunnustaminen ja täytäntöönpano | recognition and enforcement of an arbitral award |
| välimiesmenettelyn kustannukset | arbitration costs |

## ADR Terms

| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| vaihtoehtoinen riidanratkaisu (ADR) | alternative dispute resolution (ADR) |
| sovittelu | mediation |
| tuomioistuinsovittelu | court-annexed mediation |
| asiantuntijasovittelu | expert mediation |
| lautakuntamenettely | board/commission proceedings |
| kuluttajariitalautakunta (KRIL) | Consumer Disputes Board |
| eskalaatiolauseke | escalation clause |
| monivaiheinen riidanratkaisulauseke | multi-tier dispute resolution clause |

## Section Headings

| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| johdanto / tausta | RECITALS / BACKGROUND |
| määritelmät | DEFINITIONS |
| sovintosumma | SETTLEMENT AMOUNT |
| vastuuvapaus | RELEASE |
| salassapito | CONFIDENTIALITY |
| vakuutukset | REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
| sovellettava laki | GOVERNING LAW |
| riidanratkaisu | DISPUTE RESOLUTION |
| yleiset ehdot | MISCELLANEOUS |

## Notes

- **Arbitration Act (välimiesmenettelylaki, 967/1992)**: Finland's arbitration legislation,
  based on the UNCITRAL Model Law. A new Arbitration Act was enacted in 2023 (effective
  2024), further aligning with the Model Law. Reference as "Arbitration Act" on first mention.
- **Finland Arbitration Institute (FAI)**: Operated by the Finland Chamber of Commerce.
  Finland's principal commercial arbitration institution. Reference as "Finland Arbitration
  Institute (FAI)" on first mention.
- **"Tuomioistuinsovittelu" (court-annexed mediation)**: Available under the Act on
  Mediation in Civil Matters and Confirmation of Settlements in General Courts
  (riita-asioiden sovittelulaki). A judge acts as mediator. If successful, the settlement
  is confirmed by the court and is enforceable. Flag the enforceability.
- **"Kuluttajariitalautakunta" (Consumer Disputes Board)**: A free ADR mechanism for
  consumer disputes. Recommendations are not legally binding but are followed by most
  businesses. Translate as "Consumer Disputes Board" and note the non-binding nature.
- **New York Convention**: Finland is a party to the New York Convention on the Recognition
  and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards. Foreign arbitral awards are enforceable in
  Finland. Flag when translating cross-border arbitration provisions.
- **Legal costs in Finland**: Under the Code of Judicial Procedure, the losing party
  generally pays the winning party's reasonable legal costs. This "loser pays" principle
  applies in litigation. In arbitration, cost allocation follows the arbitration rules.

## Civil Litigation — Parties and Pleadings

| Finnish | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| riita-asia | civil matter / civil case | Contentious civil proceedings under Oikeudenkäymiskaari (OK / Code of Judicial Procedure) |
| hakemusasia | petition matter / non-contentious matter | Non-contentious proceedings (probate, registration, child matters) |
| kantaja | claimant / plaintiff | |
| väliintulija | intervener | Ch. 18 OK |
| kuultava | person heard / interested party | Non-party given opportunity to be heard |
| prosessiedellytys | procedural prerequisite / condition for proceedings | |
| asianosaiskelpoisuus | capacity to be a party | |
| oikeustoimikelpoisuus | legal capacity | |
| oikeudenkäyntikelpoisuus | capacity to litigate / capacity to stand as a party | |
| asiamies / oikeudenkäyntiavustaja | representative / counsel / attorney | OK Ch. 15 |
| lupalakimies | licensed legal counsel | Holders of a counsel licence under Laki luvan saaneista oikeudenkäyntiavustajista |
| haastehakemus | application for summons / statement of claim | Filed with the district court; initiates proceedings |
| haaste | summons | Issued by the court to the defendant |
| vastaus | answer / statement of defence | |
| vastakanne | counterclaim | |
| kanneperuste | cause of action / ground of claim | |
| vaatimus | prayer / claim for relief | |
| myöntäminen | admission / acknowledgement | |
| kiistäminen | denial / contestation | |
| oikeuspaikka | forum / venue | OK Ch. 10 — territorial jurisdiction |
| toimivalta | jurisdiction / competence | Subject-matter jurisdiction |
| oikeuspaikkasopimus | choice-of-forum agreement | |
| kanteen vireillepano | institution of proceedings | |
| vireilletulo | lis pendens / commencement of proceedings | Date claim becomes pending |
| kanteen muuttaminen | amendment of the claim | OK Ch. 14 |
| oikeudenkäyntimaksu | court fee | Under Laki tuomioistuinmaksuista |
| prekluusio | preclusion | Late evidence/claims barred after preparation phase |

## Civil Litigation — Hearings, Judgments and Remedies

| Finnish | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| käräjäoikeus | District Court | First-instance general court; never "Circuit Court" |
| hovioikeus | Court of Appeal | Second instance — six regional courts |
| korkein oikeus (KKO) | Supreme Court | Highest general court |
| hallinto-oikeus | Administrative Court | Regional admin courts (6) |
| korkein hallinto-oikeus (KHO) | Supreme Administrative Court | |
| markkinaoikeus | Market Court | Specialised court for IP, competition, public procurement |
| työtuomioistuin | Labour Court | Collective labour disputes |
| vakuutusoikeus | Insurance Court | Social-security and benefit appeals |
| tuomari | judge | |
| lautamies | lay judge | Lay assessors in criminal cases at district court |
| notaari | notary / judicial trainee | Trainee judges handling limited matters |
| valmisteluistunto | preparatory hearing | Ch. 5 OK |
| pääkäsittely | main hearing / trial | Evidentiary hearing with oral testimony |
| kirjallinen menettely | written procedure | For undisputed debt claims and certain matters |
| todistelu | presentation of evidence | |
| todistaja | witness | |
| asiantuntija | expert | |
| katselmus | view / inspection | Judicial inspection of scene or object |
| välipäätös | interim decision / interlocutory order | |
| päätös | decision / ruling | Procedural; "ratkaisu" for substantive decisions in admin matters |
| tuomio | judgment | |
| yksipuolinen tuomio | default judgment | Where defendant fails to respond or appear |
| välituomio | interim judgment | Partial adjudication |
| vahvistustuomio | declaratory judgment | |
| suoritustuomio | performance judgment | Judgment ordering performance or payment |
| oikeudenkäyntikulut | costs of proceedings | Loser-pays rule under Ch. 21 OK |
| turvaamistoimi | precautionary measure / interim measure | Ch. 7 OK — takavarikko (seizure), yleinen turvaamistoimi (general injunction) |
| vahingonkorvaus | damages | Vahingonkorvauslaki (Tort Liability Act) |
| sopimussakko / sopimussakkoehto | liquidated damages / contractual penalty | |
| viivästyskorko | default interest / interest on late payment | Korkolaki (Interest Act) |
| oikeustosiseikka | legal fact | Pleading concept |
| oikeudenkäyntiväite | procedural objection | |

## Civil Litigation — Appeals and Enforcement

| Finnish | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| muutoksenhaku | recourse / appeal | Umbrella term for appeal routes |
| valitus | appeal | 30-day window; from district court to court of appeal |
| valitusilmoitus | notice of appeal | |
| valittaja / vastapuoli | appellant / opposing party | |
| valituslupa | leave to appeal | Required for Supreme Court (KKO) |
| kantelu | complaint / petition | Extraordinary route (procedural error) |
| tuomiovirhekantelu | petition for annulment for procedural error | Ch. 31 OK |
| ennakkopäätösvalitus | leap-frog appeal / appeal on precedent | Direct appeal from district court to KKO |
| lainvoima | res judicata / legally binding force | |
| lainvoimainen tuomio | judgment having legal force / final and binding judgment | |
| täytäntöönpano | enforcement | |
| ulosotto | enforcement proceedings / execution | Administered by ulosottovirasto (enforcement authority) |
| ulosottokaari | Enforcement Code | Ulosottokaari (UK) |
| ulosottoperuste | basis for enforcement | Judgment, arbitral award, confirmed settlement, notarised instrument |
| ulosottomies | bailiff / enforcement officer | |
| palkan ulosmittaus | attachment of earnings / wage garnishment | |
| kiinteistön pakkohuutokauppa | forced sale of real estate by auction | |
| turvaamistoimen täytäntöönpano | enforcement of precautionary measure | |
| purkaminen | annulment / setting aside | Ch. 31 OK — extraordinary remedy against final judgments |
| menetetyn määräajan palauttaminen | restoration of a lapsed deadline | |

## Administrative Litigation

| Finnish | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| hallintolainkäyttö | administrative judicial process / administrative litigation | Governed by Laki oikeudenkäynnistä hallintoasioissa (HOL) |
| hallintoasia | administrative matter | |
| hallintopäätös | administrative decision | |
| oikaisuvaatimus | request for rectification / internal review | Precedes appeal in many categories |
| valitus (hallintotuomioistuimeen) | administrative appeal | From authority's decision to Administrative Court |
| valituslupa (KHO) | leave to appeal to KHO | |
| asianosainen | party / person concerned | Broader standing than civil matters |
| julkisoikeudellinen riita | public-law dispute | |
| täytäntöönpanon kieltäminen | stay of enforcement | Interim remedy pending appeal |
| täytäntöönpanon keskeyttäminen | suspension of enforcement | |
| hallintopakko | administrative coercion / enforcement | Threat of fine, default performance at cost of party |
| uhkasakko | conditional fine / penalty payment | |
| teettämisuhka | threat of default performance | Authority performs at party's cost |
| keskeyttämisuhka | threat of suspension | |
| virkavastuu | official liability | Liability of officials for errors in office |
| viranomainen | authority / public authority | |
| muutoksenhakukielto | prohibition of appeal | Certain decisions unappealable |
| kunnallisvalitus | municipal appeal | Specific route for municipal decisions |

## Criminal Proceedings

| Finnish | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| rikosasia | criminal matter / criminal case | Governed by Laki oikeudenkäynnistä rikosasioissa (ROL) |
| rikos | offence / crime | |
| rikoslaki | Criminal Code | Rikoslaki (RL) |
| rikosprosessi | criminal procedure | |
| esitutkinta | pre-trial investigation | Esitutkintalaki (Pre-Trial Investigation Act) |
| syyttäjä | prosecutor / public prosecutor | |
| Syyttäjälaitos | National Prosecution Authority | |
| valtakunnansyyttäjä | Prosecutor General | |
| syyte | charge / indictment | |
| syytteen nostaminen | bringing of charges / institution of prosecution | |
| syyttämättäjättämispäätös | decision not to prosecute | |
| vastaaja (rikosasiassa) | defendant (criminal) | |
| epäilty | suspect | Pre-indictment |
| asianomistaja | injured party / complainant | May prosecute privately in limited cases; may bring civil claim within criminal trial |
| asianomistajarikos | complainant offence | Prosecutable only on complaint |
| virallisen syytteen alainen | offence subject to public prosecution | |
| puolustaja | defence counsel | |
| oikeusapu | legal aid | Oikeusapulaki |
| pakkokeino | coercive measure | Pakkokeinolaki |
| pidätys | apprehension / arrest | Pre-judicial detention (up to 3 days) |
| vangitseminen | remand in custody | Judicial order |
| matkustuskielto | travel ban | |
| tehostettu matkustuskielto | reinforced travel ban / electronic monitoring | |
| tutkintavankeus | pre-trial detention | |
| takavarikko (rikosasiassa) | seizure | Evidence preservation |
| kotietsintä | search of premises / home search | |
| henkilöntarkastus | body search | |
| salaiset pakkokeinot | secret coercive measures | Telecommunications interception, surveillance |
| tunnustus | confession | |
| tuomioesitys / tunnustamisoikeudenkäynti | plea bargain / trial on confession | ROL Ch. 1 §10; Finnish conditional plea bargain system (2015) |
| rangaistusmääräysmenettely | summary penal order procedure | For minor offences |
| ehdollinen vankeus | conditional imprisonment / suspended sentence | |
| ehdoton vankeus | unconditional imprisonment | |
| yhdyskuntapalvelu | community service | |
| valvontarangaistus | monitoring sentence | Electronically monitored sentence |
| sakko | fine | Unit-fine system (päiväsakko = day-fine) |
| rikesakko | summary fine / petty fine | Fixed-amount summary fine |
| menettämisseuraamus | confiscation | |
| liiketoimintakielto | business ban | |
| ajokielto | driving ban | |
| syyttömyysolettama | presumption of innocence | |
| in dubio pro reo | in dubio pro reo / acquittal in case of doubt | Used in Finnish legal writing |
| asianomistajakorvaus | compensation to the injured party | Awarded within criminal proceedings |

## Finnish Statutes Commonly Cited

- Oikeudenkäymiskaari (OK) = Code of Judicial Procedure
- Laki oikeudenkäynnistä rikosasioissa (ROL) = Criminal Procedure Act
- Laki oikeudenkäynnistä hallintoasioissa (HOL, 2019) = Act on Judicial Proceedings in Administrative Matters
- Rikoslaki (RL) = Criminal Code
- Esitutkintalaki = Pre-Trial Investigation Act
- Pakkokeinolaki = Coercive Measures Act
- Ulosottokaari (UK) = Enforcement Code
- Vahingonkorvauslaki = Tort Liability Act
- Korkolaki = Interest Act
- Hallintolaki = Administrative Procedure Act

Note: Acronyms are standard in Finnish legal writing; expand on first mention in English translation.

## Notes for Translators — Litigation

- **käräjäoikeus**: "District Court" is the established translation — not "circuit court" or "local court". Use Finland's official English translations for court names.
- **hovioikeus**: "Court of Appeal"; sometimes "Hovioikeus" is retained with gloss in parentheses.
- **KKO vs KHO**: KKO = Korkein oikeus = Supreme Court (general); KHO = Korkein hallinto-oikeus = Supreme Administrative Court. Two parallel supreme courts (civil/criminal vs administrative). Do not conflate.
- **tuomio vs päätös vs ratkaisu**: tuomio = judgment (substantive, civil/criminal trial outcome); päätös = decision (procedural or administrative); ratkaisu = ruling/decision (broad — often for administrative court rulings). Context-specific.
- **valitus**: "Appeal" in civil/criminal to hovioikeus, or "administrative appeal" from authority to Administrative Court. In administrative context, always mark as administrative to avoid confusion.
- **kantelu vs valitus**: kantelu is an extraordinary complaint/petition (procedural error remedy under Ch. 31 OK); valitus is the ordinary appeal. Do not translate both as "appeal".
- **asianosainen vs asianomistaja**: asianosainen is "party" (broadly, including in admin and civil); asianomistaja is "injured party" (specifically in criminal procedure — the victim who may prosecute privately). Distinct roles.
- **esitutkinta vs syyteharkinta**: esitutkinta = pre-trial investigation (by police); syyteharkinta = prosecutorial consideration (prosecutor's decision on charging). Two stages of criminal procedure — do not conflate.
- **pakkokeino**: "Coercive measure" is the standard English; includes detention, search, seizure, surveillance. "Compulsory measure" also seen.
- **tunnustamisoikeudenkäynti**: Post-2015 Finnish plea-bargain mechanism where the prosecutor and suspect agree on charges and suspect confesses in exchange for reduced sentence; not identical to common-law plea bargain (conditional, requires court approval). Gloss on first use.
- **turvaamistoimi vs pakkokeino**: turvaamistoimi = civil precautionary/interim measure under Ch. 7 OK; pakkokeino = criminal coercive measure. Same concept-family but different procedural regimes — distinguish in translation.
- **ulosotto**: The Finnish enforcement system is centralised under the Enforcement Authority (ulosottolaitos) with powerful automated attachment of earnings and bank accounts. "Enforcement" or "enforcement proceedings"; not "execution" (reserved for carrying out specific acts).
- **uhkasakko / teettämisuhka / keskeyttämisuhka**: Administrative coercion tools. uhkasakko = conditional fine (threat of fine); teettämisuhka = threat of default performance (authority does it at party's cost); keskeyttämisuhka = threat of suspension. No single English term covers all three — gloss as needed.
- **lainvoima**: "Legal force" or "res judicata" depending on context — when a judgment has lainvoima it is final and enforceable; typically rendered "final and binding" or "res judicata".
- **prekluusio**: Finnish civil procedure has a strict preclusion regime — new claims or evidence after the preparation phase are barred absent exceptional circumstances. Preserve the term in English with a note.
- **ennakkopäätösvalitus**: "Leap-frog appeal" direct from district court to KKO with both parties' consent and leave; translate with gloss.
- **lautamies**: Lay judges (not "jury") sit alongside professional judges in certain criminal matters at district court; translate as "lay judge" or "lay assessor", never "juror".
- **oikeudenkäyntikulut**: Finnish costs rules strongly loser-pays but the court may adjust; important drafting point in settlement agreements to waive own costs.

## Additional Finnish Procedural Mappings

| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| oikeudenkäymiskaari (OK) | Finnish Code of Judicial Procedure |
| summaarinen riita-asia | summary civil matter (for undisputed claims) |
| ennakkopäätös | precedent ruling / Supreme Court prejudicate |
| vastine | answer / defence |
| vastaaja | respondent / defendant |
| kanne | claim / action |
| suullinen käsittely | oral hearing |
| kirjallinen käsittely | written procedure |
| valmistelu | preparation (pre-trial phase) |
| sovinto | settlement / composition |
| sovitteluehdotus | settlement proposal |
| purku | reversal / setting aside of final judgment (extraordinary remedy) |
| maksukyvyttömyys | insolvency |
| konkurssi | bankruptcy (Konkurssilaki 120/2004) |
| konkurssipesä | bankruptcy estate |
| pesänhoitaja | insolvency administrator / trustee in bankruptcy |
| saneerausmenettely | restructuring proceedings (Laki yrityksen saneerauksesta 47/1993) |
| velkajärjestely | private-person debt adjustment |
| täytäntöönpanokelpoinen | enforceable |
| kumoamiskanne | action to set aside arbitral award |
