Editing Politics of Finland (section)

==Judiciary==
{{main|Judicial system of Finland}}

Finland has a [[Civil law (legal system)|civil law]] system, which is based on Swedish law, with the judiciary exercising limited powers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oikeus.fi/en/index/esitteet/olauspetrintuomarinohjeet.html |title= 450-year-old judicial instructions  |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= 2013 |website=oikeus.fi |publisher=Ministry of Justice |access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref> Proceedings are [[Inquisitorial system|inquisitorial]], where judges preside, conduct finding of fact, adjudication and giving of sanctions such as sentences; no juries are used. In e.g. criminal and family-related proceedings in local courts, the panel of judges may include both [[lay judge]]s and professional judges, while all appeals courts and administrative courts consist only of professional judges. Precedent is not binding, with the exception of Supreme Court and Supreme Administrative Court decisions.

The judicial system of Finland is divided between [[court (judicial)|courts]] with regular civil and criminal jurisdiction and [[administrative court]]s with responsibility for litigation between the individuals and the administrative organs of the state and the communities. Finnish law is codified and its court system consists of local courts, regional appellate courts, and the [[Supreme Court of Finland|Supreme Court]]. The administrative branch of justice consists of administrative courts and the [[Supreme Administrative Court of Finland|Supreme Administrative Court]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oikeus.fi/tuomioistuimet/en/index.html |title= Finnish courts  |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=oikeus.fi |publisher=Ministry of Justice |access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref>  The administrative process has more popularity as it is cheaper and has lower financial risk to the person making claims. In addition to the regular courts, there are a few special courts in certain branches of administration. There is also a [[Judicial system of Finland#High Court of Impeachment|High Court of Impeachment]] for criminal charges (for an offence in office) against the President of the Republic, the justices of the supreme courts, members of the Government, the [[Chancellor of Justice (Finland)|Chancellor of Justice]] and the [[Ombudsman#Finland|Ombudsman]] of Parliament.

Although there is no writ of [[habeas corpus]] or [[bail]], the maximum period of pre-trial detention has been reduced to four days. For further detention, a court must order the imprisonment. One does not have the right for one phonecall: the police officer leading the investigation may inform relatives or similar if the investigation permits. However, a lawyer can be invited. Search warrants are not strictly needed, and are usually issued by a police officer. Wiretapping does need a court order.

Finland has a [[Civil law (legal system)|civil law]] (Roman law) system with an inquisitorial procedure. In accordance with the [[separation of powers]], the ''trias politica'' principle, courts of law are independent of other administration. They base their decisions solely on the law in force.<ref name="SANDM3">{{citation-attribution|1={{cite web |url=http://www.suomi.fi/suomifi/english/state_and_municipalities/index.html |title=State and municipalities |website=suomi.fi |access-date=19 January 2017}} }}</ref> Criminal cases, civil cases and petitionary matters are dealt in 27 district courts, and then, if the decision is not satisfactory to the involved parties, can be applied in six Courts of Appeal. The [[Supreme Court of Finland]] serves as the court of last instance. Appeals against decisions by authorities are considered in six regional [[administrative court]]s, with the [[Supreme Administrative Court of Finland]] as the court of last instance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.suomi.fi/suomifi/english/state_and_municipalities/courts_of_law/index.html|title=Courts of law|website=Suomi.fi|access-date=20 January 2017}}</ref> The President appoints all professional judges for life. Municipal councils appoint [[lay judge]]s to district courts.