Asiamies

Asiamies is a Finnish term used to describe a person who is authorized to act on behalf of another person or organization in a legal or business matter. The authority granted to an asiamies is usually set out in a written document called valtuutus (power of attorney) or in other formal instructions. The principal remains responsible for acts carried out by the asiamies within the limits of the authorization.

The scope of an asiamies' power can be broad or narrow. A general asiamies can handle many routine affairs for the principal, while a specific asiamies is granted authority only for particular tasks or transactions. Authorities may be time-limited, terminated, or conditioned on certain events.

In practice, asiamies are common in contexts such as banking, real estate transactions, corporate representation, or personal matters when the principal cannot act personally. Examples include a family member authorized to pay bills, a business agent authorized to sign contracts, or a lawyer appointed to manage a case.

Duties of an asiamies include acting honestly, in the principal’s best interests, and within the powers granted; maintaining records and providing information as required; avoiding conflicts of interest. Personal liability may arise if the asiamies exceeds authority or misuses the principal’s funds.

Related concepts include valtuutus (power of attorney), edustaja (representative), prokuristi (prokurist), and proxy or power of attorney in other jurisdictions.