Oikeusratkaisu

Oikeusratkaisu is the Finnish term for a judicial decision issued by a court or other judicial authority. It resolves a dispute, determines the rights and obligations of the parties, or settles a legal question. The decision can concern civil, criminal, administrative, or other legally governed matters, and may be issued as a final päätös (decision) or as a interim määräys or ratkaisun osa during ongoing proceedings.

A typical oikeusratkaisu contains the essential facts of the case, the applicable law, the court’s reasoning (perustelut), and the dispositive part that states the outcome. In Finland, court decisions are written in formal language and may also include separate opinions in more complex cases. Decisions from different levels of the court system—such as käräjäoikeus (district court), hovioikeus (court of appeal), korkein oikeus (Supreme Court), and korkein hallinto-oikeus (Supreme Administrative Court, KHO)—fall under the broad category of oikeusratkaisut.

Publication and influence: Finnish decisions are published in official databases such as Finlex and on court websites, making them accessible to legal professionals and the public. While Finland’s legal system is primarily based on civil law, decisions from the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court carry persuasive authority and guide subsequent interpretation of law, even though they are not binding precedents in the same way as in common-law systems.

Role and process: A oikeusratkaisu may be appealed to higher courts, depending on the matter and jurisdiction. The concept encompasses a range of judicial resolutions that collectively shape the application and development of Finnish law.