Erikoistuomioistuin

Erikoistuomioistuin, literally “specialist court” in Finnish, refers to a court or panel with jurisdiction limited to particular areas of law or types of cases, designed to exploit subject-matter expertise and dedicated procedures to improve decision quality and efficiency. In many jurisdictions a erikoistuomioistuin is tasked with handling complex or high-volume matters such as financial crime, competition and market regulation, tax issues, or administrative disputes, and may employ judges with specialised training or experience. Such courts may operate as permanent bodies or as specialized chambers within existing court hierarchies. Procedural rules can include streamlined evidence rules, targeted interlocutory procedures, and accelerated timelines, while appeal routes typically flow to higher courts with standard supervisory review.

In Finland, the term erikoistuomioistuin is widely used in policy discussions about judicial reform, but there is no nationwide standing erikoistuomioistuin as of 2024. The country already maintains specialized courts such as the Market Court (Markkinaoikeus), which deals with competition and market regulation matters within the administrative court system. Debates around a formal erikoistuomioistuin in Finland have focused on whether a dedicated institution would improve handling of cross-cutting or technically complex cases and how it would interact with existing courts, prosecutors, and enforcement authorities.

Whether adopted or not, the concept reflects broader aims of the modern judiciary: to concentrate expertise, ensure consistent jurisprudence, and expedite resolution of specialized disputes.

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