The Finnish Legal Profession of Attorneys-at-law

Who is an attorney-at-law? An attorney-at-law is an experienced lawyer specialised in handling legal matters of his clients. Only a member of the Bar Association is allowed to use the professional title ”attorney-at-law”. An attorney-at-law is a safe choice for solving legal issues. The quality of the legal services is continuously developed and monitored.

Attorneys-at-law in numbers There are ca. 2,100 attorneys-at-law (i.e. Members of the Bar). Half of the about 200 public legal aid attorneys are Members of the Bar. Of the attorneys-at-law 30 % are women, 70 % men. Yearly about 130 become Bar Members. In addition to the attorneys-at-law there are ca. 600 lawyers working in law offices. The number of law offices is about 800.

What is the mission of the profession? Attorneys-at-law are a guarantee for a state governed by the rule of law. A constitutional state requires an independent legal profession of attorneys-at-law who offers high-quality legal services to both private and corporate clients.

What is the vision of the profession? Everyone has confidence in attorneys-at-law. Both private and corporate clients perceive attorneys-at-law as proficient providers of legal services. The society acknowledges the significant role of the attorneys-at-law as contributers to advancing legislation. Being part of the profession is valued and experienced as advantageous.

Activity of the attorneys-at-law rests on five core values Loyalty Independence Avoidance of conflicts of interest Confidentiality Personal integrity These core values are stated in The rules of proper professional conduct. Obeying these rules is efficiently monitored.

Finnish Bar Association The aims of the Finnish Bar Association are to regulate and supervise activity of the attorneys-at-law to advance the quality of legal services to train and support attorneys-at-law and to advance legislation. The Finnish Bar Association is a statutory body whose activities are regulated by the Advocates Act. The Bar is not a registered association, a trade union or an entrepreneurs union.

What does the Bar Association do? (1/2) Regulates and supervises activity of the attorneys-at-law: The law requires attorneys-at-law to act according to the rules of proper professional conduct. The Bar defines the contents of the proper professional conduct independently and supervises the activity of attorneys-at-law. Dissatisfied clients may make a complaint against an attorney-at-law to the Bar Association’s Disciplinary Board free of charge. The Bar accepts only experienced lawyers as attorneys-at-law. The professional title “attorney-at-law” may be used only by members of the Bar. Advances the quality of legal services: The Bar ensures high-quality legal service all over Finland provided by attorneys-at-law to both private and corporate clients.

What does the Bar Association do? (2/2) Trains and supports attorneys-at-law: The Bar provides the attorneys-at-law with substantial amount of training. An annual quote of training hours is required of attorneys-at-law and the fullfillment of this requirement is controlled. The Bar supports the professional activity of attorneys-at-law for example by sharing information about best practices. Advances legislation: Attorneys-at-law are actively participating in the developing of legislation as members of working groups and by drafting expert’s opinions. The aim of the Bar’s activity in this respect is to advance the general judicature and the rule of law in Finland.

Key figures of supervision in 2016* 547 new supervisory matters and fee disputes Disciplinary Board issued 587 decisions Average duration of the process was 6 months 17 days 42 % of the complaints led to a disciplinary sanction: 145 reprimands (77 % of all sanctions) 34 cautions (18 %) 1 monetary penalty (0,5 %) 3 disbarments (1,5 %) 5 revocations of a licensed counsel’s license (3 %) 19 % of the fee disputes led to a recommendation about a fee reduction

Independent Disciplinary Board The Disciplinary Board carries an independent responsibility for the disciplinary process. 12 members of which 5 are not members of the Bar Non-members of the Bar are persons attending to a judicial office or working within jurisprudential research as well as representatives of the licensed jurists Convenes in pleanary sessions and four divisions An attorney-at-law has the right to appeal against the decision of the Disciplinary Board to the Helsinki Court of Appeal.

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