The administrative branch of the Ministry of Justice includes four nationwide agencies with numerous regional offices: the Criminal Sanctions Agency, the National Enforcement Authority,The independent National Prosecution Authority and the Legal Aid and Public Guardianship District. In addition, there are independent courts throughout Finland, as well as more localized bodies such as the Legal Register Centre and the Special Agencies of Judicial Administration. These institutions share common goals: ensuring social peace, promoting legal protection, and safeguarding the functionality and security of society.
It is possible to work within the Ministry of Justice’s administrative branch without a legal degree. For example, qualifications such as a vocational business diploma (merkonomi) or a Bachelor of Business Administration (tradenomi) provide a solid foundation for many roles. Some positions require a higher university degree, but it does not necessarily need to be in law. The judicial system offers extensive onboarding and continuing education for its employees, allowing individuals to develop their expertise on the job—prior legal knowledge is not always required.
Some roles are well-suited to those who are motivated by working with people, while others appeal to those who prefer independent expert tasks. Certain professions require the ability to make and stand by decisions, while others emphasize attention to detail, negotiation skills, or the capacity to analyze complex subject areas.
To explore employers, job profiles, and the everyday work life within the judicial system, visit oikeus.fi/toihin-oikeusalalle. The site features podcasts, employee stories, our employer promise, a “Which legal profession suits you?” quiz, and our free online course Introduction to the Finnish Legal System, open to all.
The agencies under the Ministry of Justice and the Finnish public sector in general offer diverse career opportunities. Despite budget constraints, both permanent and fixed-term positions are regularly available. All open positions can be found at www.valtiolle.fi.
You can gain a comprehensive overview of the public sector as an employer through our free online training. It also allows you to explore government job opportunities based on your educational background.