District courts

There are 20 district courts in Finland.

• Åland,
• South Karelia (in Lappeenranta),
• South Ostrobothnia (in Seinäjoki),
• South Savo (in Mikkeli),
• Helsinki,
• Eastern Uusimaa (in Vantaa),
• Kainuu (in Kajaani),
• Kanta-Häme (in Hämeenlinna),
• Central Finland (in Jyväskylä),
• Kymenlaakso (in Kouvola),
• Lapland (in Rovaniemi),
• Western Uusimaa (in Espoo),
• Oulu,
• Pirkanmaa (in Tampere),
• Ostrobothnia (in Vaasa),
• Northern Karelia (in Joensuu),
• Northern Savo (in Kuopio),
• Päijät-Häme (in Lahti),
• Satakunta (in Pori) and
• South West Finland (in Turku) district courts.

The registries of district courts are open during the regular office hours of state agencies between 8.00 and 16.15. At the registry, customers can receive information and technical advice in procedural questions. The courts do not provide legal advice; there are legal aid offices, attorney’s offices and other offices that provide legal services.

The chief of the district court is the chief judge and the other judges are the district judges. The composition of some criminal cases also includes layman members, lay judges. Simple matters are also decided by district notaries conducting court training and staff with special training.

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