Finnish Legislation · Legal Reference

The Code of Judicial Procedure (4/1734): Evidence and the Court’s Assessment

A guide to Finland’s evidentiary framework, focusing on the assessment of evidence, evidentiary responsibilities and judicial reasoning.

At a glance

This page summarises selected provisions for legal-information and procedural-review purposes. It is not a substitute for the full statute or legal advice.

Chapter 17 — Evidence

Chapter 17 governs evidence in judicial proceedings and provides the framework for presenting and evaluating evidence relevant to the case.

Evaluation and proof

The court evaluates evidence within the limits of law. In criminal proceedings, the rules on the burden and sufficiency of proof must be read together with the presumption of innocence.

Reasons and reviewability

A reasoned account of the evidence and factual findings enables the parties and an appellate court to understand how the court moved from the record to its conclusions.

Question for procedural review

Does the judgment make it possible to trace each material factual finding to the evidence relied upon and understand how conflicting evidence was resolved?

Primary Source

Read the statute on Finlex

English translations may be unofficial or may reflect amendments only up to the date stated on Finlex. The authoritative Finnish or Swedish text and applicable version prevail.