valittajat

Valittajat is the plural form of valittaja in Finnish, meaning individuals who file an appeal or complaint. In legal contexts, valittajat are the parties who have appealed a court decision to a higher court. In administrative and civil matters, the term can also refer to those who lodge formal complaints or claims.

The word derives from the verb valittaa, "to complain," with the agentive suffix -ja, producing valittaja, “the complainer” or “the appellant.” The related noun valitus means a complaint or an appeal, and appears frequently in official and legal language.

In Finnish court procedure, valittajat are typically listed in the appeal documents and are contrasted with the respondents (often termed vastaajat or vastapuoli). The usage is neutral and standard within legal writing, and the exact status of valittajat depends on the procedural context (appeal to a higher court, administrative appeal, etc.).

Outside strictly legal contexts, valittajat can simply refer to people who voice complaints about services, policies, or products. The term thus covers both formal legal appellants and more casual complainants, depending on the discourse.

See also: valitus, valittaja, vastaaja, kantaja.