Who we are

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The Finnish Bar Association is a public law organisation that accepts new attorneys-at-law, supervises and regulates the activities of all attorneys-at-law, and participates in the development of legislation and legal conditions, defending fundamental and human rights and the rule of law. The Finnish Bar Association is not a lobbying organisation, a trade union or an entrepreneurial organisation. In addition, the Finnish Bar Association is also responsible for the professional ethics supervision of licensed trial counsels and public legal aid attorneys when they are acting as legal counsel.

The Finnish Bar Association was founded in 1919. With the entry into force of the Advocates Act in 1959, we were also tasked with statutory duties, such as the supervision of attorneys-at-law. We foster the principle that everyone is entitled to the services of an attorney-at-law.

Our four core tasks

1. We guide and supervise the work of attorneys-at-law.
The Bar Association only accepts experienced lawyers into its membership and actively monitors the professional activities of its members. Clients who are not satisfied with their attorneys-at-law can lodge an appeal with the Disciplinary Board over the inappropriate conduct of their attorney-at-law, free of charge.

2. We promote the quality of attorney services.
The Bar Association improves the quality of attorney services on the basis of feedback and survey results. Service quality is also ensured by the fact that only members supervised by the Finnish Bar Association are permitted to use the tile of attorney-at-law.

3. We provide training and support to attorneys-at-law.
The Bar Association organizes plenty of training for its members. Attorneys-at-law are required to attend annual supplementary training, and the Association monitors their attendance.

4. We develop the judicial conditions and legal protection in Finland.
Attorneys-at-law participate actively in the development of legislation through legal working groups and issuing statements.