Tulkintasäännökset

Tulkintasäännökset are legal principles and rules used in Finnish law to interpret and apply statutes. Their primary purpose is to ensure that laws are understood and applied in a consistent and predictable manner, reflecting the legislator's intent. These rules guide judges, lawyers, and public officials in determining the meaning of legal texts when the language is ambiguous, unclear, or potentially conflicting.

A core principle is the literal interpretation, where the ordinary meaning of the words in the statute is given precedence. However, this is often insufficient. Therefore, teleological interpretation, which focuses on the purpose or aim of the law, is crucial. This involves understanding why the law was enacted and what social problem it seeks to address. Historical interpretation also plays a role, examining the legislative history, preparatory works, and previous legal provisions to understand the context in which the law was created.

When interpreting laws, Finnish legal practice also considers systematic interpretation, which examines how a provision fits within the broader legal system and other related statutes. Principles of proportionality and reasonableness are also guiding factors, ensuring that interpretations do not lead to absurd or unjust outcomes. In cases of genuine ambiguity that cannot be resolved through these methods, the interpretation that is most beneficial to the individual, particularly in criminal law, may be favored, though this is applied cautiously. The ultimate goal is to achieve a just and effective application of the law.