Publicity of enforcement information
According to the Act on the Openness of Government Activities (621/1999), or Openness Act, everyone has right of access to official documents in the public domain. The Openness Act is based on the premise that official information and documents are public. However, a considerable part of enforcement register data and documents has been declared secret by virtue of various enactments. In particular, these secrecy provisions protect the position of natural persons as enforcement debtors.
The publicity of enforcement register data is provided for in the Enforcement Code. According to chapter 1, section 30 of the Enforcement Code, data entered into the Enforcement Register which may be the basis for the issue of a certificate referred to in section 31, paragraph 1 are public. Other data stored in the register are secret. For more details on public extracts from the Enforcement Register and ordering such extracts at page Certificate available from the enforcement register.
According to section 24, subsection 23 of the Openness Act, the following official documents are secret:
- the annual income or net worth of a person
- data on the income and assets on which a subsidy or benefit is based, or data that otherwise describes the economic situation of a person
- documents of the enforcement authority in so far as they contain information which, had it been entered into the enforcement register would be secret on the basis of the Execution Code
- information on natural persons as debtors in enforcement and the minutes of the evaluation of the assets and liquidity of the debtor
This provision limits the publicity of documents held by the enforcement authorities. Information in documents held by the enforcement authorities must also be kept secret if the information would be secret if entered in the Enforcement Register.
In addition to the public information defined in chapter 1, section 31 of the Enforcement Code, certain information in individual enforcement authority documents, such as information on the course of enforcement proceedings, decisions made during such proceedings and the object of the enforcement proceedings, can also be public. Even such information can be subject to another basis for secrecy as defined in section 24 of the Openness Act.
Interested parties’ right of access to data in enforcement proceedings
The interested parties in enforcement proceedings are the applicant (creditor) and respondent (debtor). Under section 11 of the Openness Act, an interested party has the right of access to the contents also of a document which is not in the public domain, if the document may influence or may have influenced the consideration of his or her matter. An interested party’s right of access can also apply to parties not involved in enforcement if enforcement measures have influenced their rights, benefits or obligations. A printout from the Enforcement Register as referred to in chapter 1, section 34 of the Enforcement Code can also be provided to interested parties. For more details on the printout from the Enforcement Register issued to interested parties and ordering the printout at page Certificate available from the enforcement register.
An interested party’s right of access can be refused or postponed on the grounds provided for in section 11, subsection 2 of the Openness Act. If disclosure of the information is postponed, the information must be given to the requesting party immediately once the grounds for the postponement cease to apply. The disclosure of secret information to interested parties is always subject to case-by-case discretion. Interested parties are subject to the non-disclosure obligation and prohibition of use provided for in section 23 of the Openness Act with regard to secret information disclosed to them.
Requests for documents
Please address requests for documents or information made by virtue of the public nature of the information or an interested party’s right of access to National Enforcement Authority Finland’s Central Administration by e-mail to hallinto.uo(at)oikeus.fi or by post to the address PL 2, 00067 Ulosottolaitos, Finland. If necessary, such requests can also be made in person by visiting an enforcement office. We recommend the Ministry of Justice’s secure e-mail for sending confidential or sensitive materials. Instructions on sending secure e-mail are available at Oikeus.fi website.
If your right of access is based on your status as an interested party, please bear in mind that the enforcement authority will need your personal data and contact details for verifying your status as an interested party and delivering the documents.
Enforcement data repositories
Data repository of enforcement execution
Purpose of use of the data repository
Information contained in the data repository of enforcement execution is used for carrying out statutory enforcement duties assigned to the enforcement authority by law.
Information on enforcement matters being instituted, enforcement measures and other processing carried out, and closing of enforcement cases is entered into the data repository. Information on the interested parties in enforcement matters and the decisions and other documents drawn up during the processing of the matter is also stored in the data repository.
Information content of the data repository
The data repository contains information required for the case management of enforcement matters, such as the case number, the case title, the interested parties, any interim measures (such as payments, prohibitions of payment and impediments), documents drawn up in the case and information on the case being instituted and closed. In addition, information on cooperation between authorities and special information on information obtained by the enforcement authority regarding the enforcement matter may also be recorded.
Information contents of the data repository are defined in more detail in chapter 1, section 26 of the Enforcement Code.
Search parameters
Information can be retrieved from the data repository of enforcement execution by searching for the case number, the identifier of a person or a legal person, a name, part of a name, address, account number or various identifiers created by the enforcement resource planning system, for example.
It is recommended that the details of the case or documents, such as the identifier of a person or a company and case number(s), be specified in as much detail as possible. These details make it easier to identify the requested document and find the requested information. The National Enforcement Authority Finland may also be requested to provide case record numbers that can help the person making the request further specify their request for documents.
Information on enforcement matters may be provided categorised based on details such as the case number, title and interested parties.
Information systems
The data repository of enforcement execution can be accessed through the Uljas system. Information of enforcement execution is also stored in the Flex system, which includes an archive of operative documents. The electronic enforcement service relies on the data repository of the Uljas system.
Documents contained in the data repository of enforcement execution are stored in network environments and premises that are monitored and controlled through access management.
Specifications regarding access to information
Documentary information of enforcement documents ordered to be stored indefinitely has been partly transferred to the National Archives of Finland in electronic format. Archived paper documents will be mass digitised into the National Archive by 2025–2026.
Debtors can use the electronic enforcement service to view their own overall enforcement situation, including inspecting their enforcement matters, downloading and printing a debtor’s enforcement matters printout and filing various applications. Creditors can view enforcement matters and reply to balance enquiries in the passive enforcement register.
As a citizen of Finland, you can order an enforcement certificate on someone from the Enforcement Register. The certificate contains the individual’s enforcement information for the previous two years.
Further information on the electronic services is available on the website of the National Enforcement Authority Finland under Customer service .
Access through a technical interface
The information cannot be accessed through a technical interface.
Data repository of administrative matters
Purpose of use of the data repository
Information contained in the data repository is used for managing administrative matters of the National Enforcement Authority Finland and for carrying out official duties assigned to Central Administration of the National Enforcement Authority Finland.
The data repository of administrative matters is maintained for the purpose of keeping records and monitoring. Administrative matters can be divided into general administrative matters (such as management of the National Enforcement Authority, providing of statements and appointments), HR matters (such as management of employment), financial matters (such as planning the finances of the National Enforcement Authority and financial administration), national and international cooperation and legal matters (such as complaints and matters related to the State’s liability for damages).
Information on matters that are under processing or have been processed, stages of processing and documents related to the matter are entered into the data repository of administrative matters. The case register is maintained to ensure document publicity, to help specify requests for information, to structure documents and related information, to arrange measures related to processing and to monitor processing times.
Information content of the data repository
Information on the party who instituted the matter, the case category and identifying information on the case type is entered into the data repository of administrative matters. The information is entered in the Hilda system. In addition, information on any interim measures, such as requested clarification or statements, and information on the concluding decision or other measure is also entered into the data repository. The type or title, date of receipt or writing and manner of receipt of each document, and information on the party who sent, wrote or approved the document is specified.
Search parameters
Information can be retrieved from the data repository of administrative matters by using search terms such as identifying information of the case (record number), document type or title or information concerning an interested party. Lists of registered cases and subject cards on the processing and documents of an individual case can also be retrieved from the data repository.
It is recommended that the date of issue of the document or date of institution of the case be specified in connection with making a request for information, if these details are known. These details often make it easier to identify the requested document. The National Enforcement Authority Finland may also be requested to provide record data of a case to help further specify a request for documents.
Information systems
The Hilda system, as well as operative HR and financial management information systems of public administration, such as Kieku, Handi and M2, are utilised for the data repository of administrative matters.
Documents contained in the data repository are stored in network environments and premises that are monitored and controlled through access management.
Access through a technical interface
The information cannot be accessed through a technical interface.