Perustuslakituomioistuimeen

Perustuslakituomioistuimeen is a Finnish legal term indicating an appeal or submission to a constitutional court. The illative form -en/-een shows direction toward the institution, so the phrase is used in texts that discuss bringing constitutional questions before such a body or referring to the venue for constitutional review.

In Finland, as of now, there is no stand‑alone perustuslakituomioistuin (constitutional court). Constitutional review is exercised through a combination of mechanisms within the existing system. The Supreme Court (Korkein oikeus) and the Supreme Administrative Court (Korkein hallinto-oikeus) address constitutional questions that arise in ordinary court cases, interpreting the Constitution in light of jurisprudence. Additionally, the Parliament’s Constitutional Committee (perustuslakivaliokunta) reviews proposed legislation for constitutional compatibility during the lawmaking process and can provide constitutional guidance on international treaties and other acts.

The idea of establishing a dedicated constitutional court has featured in constitutional reform discussions. Proposals have argued that a separate perustuslakituomioistuin would provide centralized, specialized constitutional review with final and independent decisions, while critics have raised concerns about cost, jurisdiction, and potential overlaps with existing courts. If created, the court would typically be designed to handle requests to review the constitutionality of laws, government decrees, and possibly international agreements, with judges appointed by the President on the recommendation of Parliament and procedures similar to other high courts.

Thus, “perustuslakituomioistuimeen” remains a term tied to the notion of constitutional adjudication, used in contexts contemplating a future standalone constitutional court, rather than a current institution within the Finnish legal system.