Requesting enforcement through the enforcement database

Petitioners who are filing a number of enforcement requests can submit their requests online through the enforcement database. Permission for filing requests in this way can be given in both civil and public cases. Requesting enforcement through the database is usually the most practical method in public cases, as such debts are usually directly distrainable and an attorney cannot be employed, meaning that attachments do not need to be filed with the request.

In private cases, the copy of the ground for enforcement must be sent to the National Enforcement Authority Finland when enforcement is requested for the first time. When necessary the bailiff can request the applicant to deliver the ground for enforcement in the original. If the court judgement has been published in the online register of judgements, it does not have to be submitted to the enforcement office separately. In this event, it is enough that the judgement is referred to. Other documents, such as a power of attorney or a negotiable promissory note, must be submitted to the National Enforcement Authority Finland in the original paper form.

Permissions for online petitioning are granted by the the National Enforcement Authority Finland. Applications submitted to the National Enforcement Authority Finland must include the following information:

• Is the permission for requesting enforcement through the database sought for enforcement requests under private or public law?
• If the application concerns debts enforceable under public law that are directly distrainable, the name of the debt and the statute under which the debt is directly distrainable
• Does the petitioner want to be notified of the institution of proceedings?
• Estimate of the number of enforcement requests by the petitioner (requests per year)
• Contact name, telephone and email for the petitioner for sending any additional requests for information and permission drafts.

According to the Act on the Enforcement of Taxes and Public Payments, a financial or credit institution, debt collection agency or other operator is not allowed to act as applicant or attorney on behalf of the creditor in the enforcement of debts enforceable under public law. If an applicant wishing to file enforcement applications electronically uses a technical intermediary, the application should also contain answers to the following questions:

• Who will make the decision on the transfer of debts enforceable under public law to the enforcement office
• How will the decision-making process operate in practice, including selecting cases for enforcement
• To whom will the funds collected by the enforcement office be forwarded

Applications for permissions are submitted by post to National Enforcement Authority Finland, P.O. Box 2 FI-00067 Ulosottolaitos or by email to hallinto.uo(at)oikeus.fi.

According to the permission procedure, the National Enforcement Authority Finland will first provide a draft permission. The Legal Register Centre will then run tests to ensure that the petitioner’s files are submitted correctly to the enforcement database. When this has been confirmed, a permission to file requests through the enforcement database can be granted.

Electronic filing of enforcement applications [pdf, 161.1 kB]

More information (in Finnish)

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