Oikeusvalitus

Oikeusvalitus is a Finnish legal remedy used to challenge a lower court's decision by filing an appeal to the Supreme Court of Finland. It is available only in certain cases and typically requires permission to proceed, making it a discretionary path rather than a general right of appeal.

The remedy focuses on points of law rather than factual findings. When a party seeks oikeusvalitus, the central question is whether the lower court correctly applied or interpreted the relevant law. The Supreme Court generally exercises restraint and grants leave to appeal (valituslupa) only when the case involves important legal questions, issues of general significance, or a need to ensure uniform interpretation of the law.

Procedure typically begins with a request for valituslupa to the Supreme Court. If the Court grants the leave, the case is brought before the Supreme Court for a full review on points of law. The Supreme Court’s decision may uphold, quash, or modify the lower court’s ruling. Once a decision on oikeusvalitus is issued, there is no further ordinary appeal; only exceptional avenues exist, such as constitutional review in other contexts.

Oikeusvalitus applies to civil, criminal, and certain administrative matters, but its use is limited by the requirement of leave to appeal. The remedy serves to correct legal errors and to shape jurisprudence by providing authoritative interpretations of Finnish law.