The role of the Ombudsman and Chancellor of Justice
In Finland, the legality of public administration is supervised by two independent and constitutionally established authorities: the Parliamentary Ombudsman and the Chancellor of Justice. Their task is to ensure that public authorities, officials, and institutions act lawfully and respect fundamental rights. These oversight mechanisms are a central part of Finland’s rule-of-law system.
Supervision of legality
Supervision of legality means monitoring whether authorities and public officials act in accordance with the law. In a state governed by the rule of law, public power must always have a legal basis and must respect constitutional and human rights obligations.
The Ombudsman and the Chancellor of Justice serve as independent guardians of legality. They do not belong to the Government, and their role is not to represent political interests. Instead, they ensure that laws are followed and that individuals are protected against unlawful or improper exercise of power.
This system strengthens trust in public administration and ensures that legality is not left solely to internal control mechanisms.
The Parliamentary Ombudsman
The Parliamentary Ombudsman is elected by Parliament. This reflects the Ombudsman’s role as an overseer accountable to the legislature, rather than to the Government. The Ombudsman supervises the legality of the actions of authorities, courts, and officials.
The Ombudsman also has a specific duty to protect fundamental and human rights. This includes monitoring conditions in institutions such as prisons, hospitals, and care facilities, where individuals may be in a vulnerable position.
Anyone may submit a complaint to the Ombudsman if they believe that an authority has acted unlawfully or improperly. The Ombudsman examines complaints independently and may issue recommendations or criticism.
The Chancellor of Justice
The Chancellor of Justice is appointed by the President of the Republic. The Chancellor’s task is to supervise the legality of the Government’s actions and to ensure that public authorities comply with the law.
A distinctive feature of the Chancellor’s role is close involvement with government decision-making. The Chancellor attends Government sessions and reviews the legality of decisions in advance. This preventive supervision helps avoid unlawful actions before they occur.
Like the Ombudsman, the Chancellor of Justice also monitors the protection of fundamental rights and may investigate complaints submitted by individuals.
Complaints and investigations
Both the Ombudsman and the Chancellor of Justice may examine complaints from individuals. Complaints provide a way for people to raise concerns about the conduct of authorities without the need for court proceedings.
The oversight authorities assess whether the law has been followed and whether good administrative practice has been respected. They may issue opinions, recommendations, or formal criticism. In serious cases, they may initiate further legal action.
These procedures complement court-based remedies and strengthen overall legal protection.
Importance for democracy and rights
The existence of independent oversight authorities reinforces democracy and the rule of law. It ensures that public power is exercised responsibly and that violations of rights do not go unchecked.
By supervising legality and protecting rights, the Ombudsman and the Chancellor of Justice help maintain high standards of public administration. Their work contributes to transparency, accountability, and public confidence in institutions.
For residents and future citizens, understanding these roles highlights how Finland ensures that authority remains lawful, controlled, and accountable.
Why legality oversight matters
Laws alone are not sufficient if there are no mechanisms to ensure compliance. Oversight by independent authorities ensures that legality is respected in practice.
Finland’s system of legality supervision demonstrates a strong commitment to fundamental rights, accountability, and the rule of law.