Government bills36
- HE 99/2026 vpPassed
Video recording of court evidence
Oral evidence presented in district courts will begin to be recorded on video, which can be utilised directly on appeal without rehearing witnesses. At the same time, deadlines for submitting electronic documents to courts will be clarified.
22 Jun 2026 · 1 voteOnly vote · Proposed statement
125 jaa62 ei - HE 45/2026 vpPassed with amendments
Improving legal protection against discrimination
Victims of discrimination will be ensured a better opportunity to conciliate their cases or seek a resolution without fear of the time limit for bringing an action expiring. At the same time, the independence and smooth operation of equality and non-discrimination authorities will be strengthened.
4 Jun 2026 · 2 votesClosest vote · Proposed statement
86 jaa82 ei - HE 132/2026 vpIn progress
Abolishing the Labour Council and Co-operation Ombudsman
The Labour Council and the Office of the Co-operation Ombudsman will be abolished, and their supervisory duties transferred to other authorities. Appeals against occupational safety and health exemption permits will be made directly to the Labour Court, and a new supervisory fee will be introduced for personnel funds.
18 Sep 2026 · no votes yet - HE 83/2025 vpPassed
Excluding tax data from other crimes
Information provided in declarations for excise duty purposes will not be permitted to be used to investigate or prosecute other offences, such as smuggling. Following the change, evading taxes on illegally imported products can once again be penalised as tax fraud without being prevented by the privilege against self-incrimination.
10 Apr 2026 · passed without a vote - HE 204/2025 vpPassed with amendments
Reforming and streamlining the patent system
A new and modern Patents Act will be enacted in Finland, replacing the outdated act dating from 1967. Applying for and processing patents will be made clearer, faster and more affordable than before.
29 May 2026 · passed without a vote - HE 14/2025 vpPassed with amendments
Safeguarding essential functions during strikes
Trade unions will be placed under an obligation to safeguard essential functions during strikes, such as human life, health, and safety. If the duty of care is breached, a court may prohibit the industrial action and employers may order employees to perform emergency work in acute emergencies.
28 May 2025 · 6 votes83 jaa69 ei - HE 119/2026 vpIn progress
Comprehensive reform of arbitration
The Arbitration Act will be replaced by a new arbitration act based on the international UN Model Law. At the same time, procedural rules and terminology will be updated to meet modern digital and international requirements.
10 Sep 2026 · no votes yet - HE 70/2025 vpPassed with amendments
Court approval for device searches
The police will need prior court permission to examine the contents of a seized phone, computer or other device in a criminal investigation. In exceptional cases, such as urgent situations or with the consent of the possessor of the device, a search could still be initiated on the police's own decision.
24 Nov 2025 · passed without a vote - HE 132/2021 vpPassed with amendments
Speeding up and clarifying parentage confirmation
The Paternity Act and the Maternity Act will be merged into a single act, and the establishment of parentage in cases of advance acknowledgment will be speeded up. At the same time, female couples undergoing fertility treatment will be given the option to choose the sperm donor as the child's second parent.
28 Jun 2022 · 6 votes106 jaa46 ei - HE 63/2023 vpWithdrawn
Expanding security checks in shared court premises
Security checks in court buildings can cover clients of all judicial administration agencies operating in the same building at shared entrances and customer service areas. At the same time, the qualifications, powers and official liability of security check officers will be clarified.
2 May 2024 · no votes - HE 33/2023 vpPassed with amendments
Establishing maternity of birth mothers
The maternity of a birth mother could be established and confirmed by an authority through DNA testing if documentary evidence is not available. In addition, a court could, as a last resort, order a parentage test to be carried out on a deceased person who has been buried.
14 Dec 2023 · passed without a vote - HE 12/2023 vpPassed
Safeguarding additional debt restructuring payments
Creditors' ability to demand additional payments from a debtor will be safeguarded in old debt restructurings. The change applies to situations where a payment schedule was confirmed before July 2022.
12 Oct 2023 · passed without a vote - HE 3/2023 vpPassed
Correcting fees in summary civil cases
A technical error in the Court Fees Act will be corrected so that the processing fee for certain summary civil cases does not inadvertently increase. The lower fee will be retained for cases decided on the basis of admission or that are discontinued.
9 Jun 2023 · passed without a vote - HE 270/2016 vpPassed with amendments
Downsizing and centralising district courts
The number of district courts in Finland will be reduced from 27 to 20, and their court locations will be cut. In addition, the handling of certain demanding categories of cases, such as company reorganisations and maritime law cases, will be centralised in fewer district courts than before.
24 Nov 2017 · 1 vote95 jaa77 ei - HE 93/2022 vpPassed
Harmonising appeal routes for administrative decisions
Appeals against administrative decisions issued by authorities and courts will initially be lodged with an administrative court rather than directly with the Supreme Administrative Court. The reform will clarify appeals and guarantee two-tier legal protection for the parties involved.
2 Feb 2023 · passed without a vote - HE 201/2022 vpPassed
Easier adjustment of litigation costs
Courts will be able to reduce the opposing party's legal costs payable by the losing party in a civil case with a lower threshold than before. The reform will reduce the financial risk associated with litigation and lower the threshold for taking cases to court.
17 Jan 2023 · passed without a vote - HE 214/2022 vpPassed
Introducing voluntary mediation in labour disputes
The social partners will be able to seek assistance from a mediator to resolve labour disputes before any threat of strike action or disruption to industrial peace. Parties taking part in mediation must submit their claims and positions to the mediator in writing in advance.
21 Dec 2022 · passed without a vote - HE 136/2018 vpPassed with amendments
Establishing the National Courts Administration
An independent agency, the National Courts Administration, will be established in Finland to take over administrative and support tasks for the courts from the Ministry of Justice. The reform will strengthen the independence of the courts and make the functioning of the judiciary smoother.
12 Feb 2019 · passed without a vote - HE 21/2022 vpPassed with amendments
Streamlining cross-border family matters
Family law decisions issued in another EU country, such as divorce and custody rulings, could be enforced directly in Finland without a separate declaration of enforceability. In addition, the enforcement of return decisions and interim measures in international child abduction cases would be expedited.
13 May 2022 · passed without a vote - HE 51/2021 vpPassed
Implementing privileges for the patent court
Finland will implement the Protocol on Privileges and Immunities of the European Unified Patent Court. The arrangement secures the independence and immunity of the court and its personnel in official duties.
24 Jun 2021 · passed without a vote