Board on Trial Counsel

The Board on Trial Counsel was established on 1 January 2013. The duties of the Board and the conditions for the granting and revocation of licences are provided for in the licensed Trial Counsel Act (715/2011).

The duties of the independent, national Board on Trial Counsel are to

• grant licences for serving as attorney and trial counsel
  
• decide on the revocation of such licences and
• to decide on disciplinary matters involving the imposition of monetary penalties and the revocation of licences as recommended by the Disciplinary Board.

The main purpose of the Act is to improve the legal protection of interested parties and the conditions for the appropriate administration of justice by increasing the quality of the work of attorneys and trial counsel. The licensing system makes it possible to confirm that an individual fulfils the appropriate qualification criteria before granting them a licence to serve as trial counsel. On the other hand, granted licences can always be revoked if necessary. The licence requires its holder to abide by the rules of professional ethics. Licence holders are also supervised to ensure that they fulfil their obligations.

This website describes the process of applying for and revoking a licence, as well as the obligations and supervision of licensed trial counsel.