Valittaja

Valittaja is a Finnish legal term for a person who files an appeal against a decision to a higher court or authority. In Finnish law, the valittaja is the party challenging a ruling issued by a lower instance, such as an administrative body, a district or appellate court, or an agency. The opposing party is usually referred to as vastaaja or vastapuoli. The term covers formal appeals (valitus) made to courts as well as complaints lodged with authorities in administrative procedures.

In civil and administrative cases, valittaja initiates the appellate process by submitting a petition or appeal to the appropriate court. The scope and grounds of the appeal are defined by statute and may include incorrect application of law, erroneous factual assessment, or procedural errors. The appeal typically suspends or influences the implementation of the lower decision, depending on the jurisdiction. In criminal matters, the valittaja may be the party seeking to overturn a verdict by appealing to a higher court.

Etymology and related terms: Valittaja is derived from the verb valittaa, "to complain" or "to appeal," with the agentive suffix -ja. The related noun valitus denotes the appeal or complaint itself, while hallinto-oikeus (administrative court) or hovioikeus (court of appeal) are common destinations for the appeal.

See also: valitus, oikeuslaitos, hallinto-oikeus, hovioikeus, korkein oikeus.