Osittaisvastuussa

Osittaisvastuussa, meaning "partially responsible" or "jointly liable" in English, is a legal concept primarily used in Finnish law. It describes a situation where multiple parties share responsibility for a debt, obligation, or damage, but their liability is limited to their specific portion or share. This contrasts with solidary liability (yhteisvastuussa), where each party can be held liable for the entire amount.

In practice, osittaisvastuussa means that a creditor or claimant can only pursue each individual party for their predetermined share of the total obligation. For example, if two parties are osittaisvastuussa for a debt of 100 euros, and their shares are 50 euros each, the creditor can only demand 50 euros from each party. If one party fails to pay their share, the other party is not obligated to cover that shortfall.

This principle is often applied in contractual agreements, inheritance law, and tort law where the extent of each party's contribution to a particular outcome can be clearly determined. The specific proportion of responsibility is usually established by law, contract, or court ruling. Understanding whether liability is osittaisvastuussa or solidary is crucial for all parties involved, as it significantly impacts their financial risk and legal obligations.