Government bills7
- HE 30/2023 vpPassed
Establishing the legal services agency
The administration of legal aid, public guardianship, and financial and debt counselling will be brought together under a new nationwide Legal Services Agency. Customer service and local offices will remain unchanged across the country.
1 Dec 2023 · passed without a vote - HE 247/2020 vpPassed
Improving legal protection for asylum seekers
Asylum seekers will be granted state-funded legal counsel at the asylum interview, and the appeal period for decisions will be extended to 30 days. In addition, private lawyers assisting asylum seekers will be remunerated on the basis of actual hours worked rather than a fixed lump-sum fee.
24 Jun 2021 · 1 vote42 jaa11 ei - HE 1/2021 vpPassed
Ending legal assistance agreement with Poland
Finland will repeal an old bilateral legal assistance agreement with Poland because Poland has terminated it. Application of the agreement will end in October 2021.
24 Jun 2021 · passed without a vote - HE 32/2016 vpPassed with amendments
Speeding up asylum processes and appeals
The processing of appeals concerning asylum decisions in the courts will be expedited by shortening appeal periods and designating the cases as urgent. At the same time, publicly funded legal aid for asylum seekers will be restricted and the granting of leave to appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court tightened.
27 Jun 2016 · 5 votes106 jaa63 ei - HE 29/2017 vpPassed with amendments
Enhancing evidence gathering across EU countries
The gathering of evidence for criminal investigations between EU countries will be streamlined through the introduction of a common European Investigation Order. The new procedure speeds up cross-border legal assistance and makes it more binding on authorities than before.
19 Jun 2017 · passed without a vote - HE 99/2016 vpPassed
Strengthening legal safeguards for criminal suspects
The right of a criminal suspect to counsel and to notify family members or close associates of deprivation of liberty will be strengthened in pre-trial investigations. In addition, the court will be able to withhold a legal counsel's fee entirely if there have been very serious deficiencies in handling the case.
14 Oct 2016 · passed without a vote - HE 26/2016 vpPassed with amendments
Reforming legal aid and public guardianship
Six legal aid and public guardianship districts will be established in Finland to operate as independent agencies. Legal aid services and public guardianship will be administratively separated into parallel operations.
26 May 2016 · passed without a vote