oikeuslähdeaineisto

Oikeuslähdeaineisto, or legal source material, refers to the collection of materials used to determine and interpret law in Finland. It comprises primary sources that have binding authority, as well as secondary sources that support understanding and interpretation. The concept covers national, international, and comparative elements that influence legal reasoning and application.

Primary sources include lainsäädäntö, such as the Constitution, acts (laki), and decrees or regulations (asetus). They also encompass oikeuskäytäntö, that is, case law from the courts, particularly the Supreme Court (Korkein oikeus) and the Supreme Administrative Court (Korkein hallinto-oikeus). These decisions provide binding precedents for lower courts and guidance for interpretation in subsequent cases. International law and EU law applicable in Finland form another important component of the primary sources, especially in areas where national law implements or interacts with treaty obligations and EU regulations.

Secondary sources, or oikeuskirjallisuus, include doctrinal writings, commentaries, scholarly articles, and official legal commentaries. While they do not impose legal obligations, they illuminate interpretation, highlight conflicts, and aid researchers, practitioners, and judges in reasoning and summarizing complex issues. Administrative practice and regulatory guidelines issued by authorities (hallintokäytäntö) also contribute to the source material by clarifying how rules are applied in practice.

In practice, oikeuslähdeaineisto is used for legal research, argumentation in litigation, and the development of jurisprudence. Online databases such as Finlex and official compilations are common tools for accessing the various components of the material. The weight and hierarchy of sources depend on the issue and jurisdiction, with constitutional and statutory provisions typically taking precedence.