lakiteksti

Lakiteksti, or the text of a law, refers to the formal, binding version of a Finnish statute as enacted by Parliament and published for public use. The lakiteksti includes the operative provisions organized in numbered sections (for example, 1 §, 2 §), along with definitions, and any transitional or implementing provisions. Preparatory materials, commentary, and summaries accompany the text but do not carry legal force.

The lakiteksti is publicly accessible mainly through Finlex, the Finnish legal database maintained for official dissemination of statutes and decrees. It is also published through other official channels and is used in legal proceedings, administrative decision-making, and by individuals and organizations to determine how the law applies. The text is typically available in Finnish and Swedish, with the Swedish version referred to as lagtext.

Structure and language of lakiteksti are formal and precise. Laws usually begin with general provisions and definitions, proceed to substantive rights and obligations, and include transitional provisions that specify when the law comes into force and how it affects existing situations. The wording is designed to be clear and enforceable, with amendments integrated into the current text to reflect changes in the legal framework.

Updates and versions: When a law is amended or repealed, the lakiteksti is updated accordingly. Official current text is the binding source used for interpretation, while historical versions may be archived for reference. Access to the current lakiteksti ensures consistency in enforcement, administration, and legal decision-making across Finland.