Ulosottovirasto

Ulosottovirasto, or the Enforcement Office, is a Finnish government agency responsible for enforcing court decisions and other legally enforceable obligations within Finland. Its core mandate is to ensure the effective execution of judgments and other claims by coordinating and applying enforcement measures.

The agency handles processes such as wage garnishment, seizure of assets, attachments to bank accounts, and the enforcement of maintenance obligations like child support and alimony, as well as certain administrative penalties when designated by law. It receives enforcement petitions from creditors or decisions from courts and, after review, imposes appropriate enforcement actions. All enforcement activities are conducted in accordance with Finnish law, with procedural safeguards to protect the rights of debtors, including avenues for challenging or adjusting measures.

Ulosottovirasto operates within the Finnish judicial administration and collaborates with district courts, law enforcement, banks, employers, and other authorities to locate assets, issue enforcement orders, and monitor compliance. It maintains case records and provides information services to creditors and debtors about enforcement options and obligations. The office is organized as a national authority with regional units to administer enforcement locally and to ensure nationwide uniformity in practice.

Its work intersects with other public agencies, such as tax administration and social services, when enforcement requires coordination across systems. As a component of the Finnish legal order, Ulosottovirasto’s duties and powers are defined by legislation and subject to oversight and reform as laws evolve.