Chancellor of Justice (Finland)

The chancellor of justice (oikeuskansleri, justitiekanslern) is a Finnish government official who supervises authorities', such as cabinet ministers', compliance with the law and advances legal protection of Finnish citizens. The chancellor investigates complaints against authorities' activities and may also start an investigation of his or her own initiative. The chancellor attends cabinet meetings to ensure that legal procedures and regulations are followed. The chancellor has wide-ranging oversight, investigative and prosecutorial powers.

The Chancellor and a deputy are appointed by the President of Finland. The Chancellor is appointed for life.

The incumbent Chancellor of Justice is Tuomas Pöysti.

History
The Office of the Chancellor of Justice dates back to the 18th century, when Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden. When Finland was annexed by the Russian Empire in 1809 as an autonomous Grand Duchy, the legal system largely remained the same. The functions of the Chancellor of Justice, however, were assigned to the procurator, who assisted the Governor-General in supervising obedience to the law.

A year after Finland declared its independence in 1917, the title and office of Chancellor of Justice was re-established. The first incumbent of this restored institution was Pehr Evind Svinhufvud, who had served as the speaker of the Parliament and who was later to become the third President of Finland. In 1919, the post of Parliamentary Ombudsman was created. The Ombudsman and the Chancellor of Justice share many duties.

Duties

 * supervising the lawfulness of the official acts of the Government and the President of the Republic;
 * providing the President, the Government and the Ministries with information and opinions on legal issues;
 * ensuring supervision over the courts of law, other authorities and civil servants, public employees and other persons in their obedience to the law and fulfillment of their obligations when performing public duties;
 * monitoring the implementation of basic rights and liberties and human rights;
 * supervising the conduct of advocates with the Finnish Bar Association.