oikeushallinto

Oikeushallinto refers to the organization, management, and administration of the institutions that administer justice and enforce legal order in a state. It covers the functioning of the judiciary, the prosecution service, and related public authorities responsible for applying and enforcing the law, as well as the administration of legal processes.

Practically, oikeushallinto includes the court system (district and appellate courts, and in some systems the supreme or constitutional court), the prosecution service, the police, and the penitentiary and probation services, along with registries, legal aid, and other support bodies. It also involves budgeting, staffing, digitization of records, and procedures to ensure independence, efficiency, and equal access to justice.

Legal framework: The administration operates within constitutional principles such as separation of powers, judicial independence, the rule of law, and transparency. The state defines court organization, appointment of judges and prosecutors, and limits on administrative interference. Ongoing reform efforts typically focus on efficiency, quality of decision-making, accessibility, and protection of rights for defendants and victims.

In Finland, oikeushallinto is used to describe the combined system of courts, prosecutors, police, and correctional institutions functioning under national legislation and constitutional guarantees. While the exact structure can vary between countries, the concept generally encompasses the bodies and processes that implement and oversee the application of laws through adjudication, enforcement, and related administration.