The Board of the Bar admits members to the Bar. Applicants whose application has been rejected are entitled to appeal the decision at the Helsinki Court of Appeal.

To be accepted as an advocate, applicants must fulfill the following qualifications:

• Be at least 25 years old and a citizen of Finland or another state within the European Economic Area
• Have passed the academic requirements stipulated in Finland for judicial office (LL.M.)
• Have acquired the skills and practical experience necessary for the profession of advocate by practising for at least four years in the field of judicial administration or in comparable duties requiring legal education but, in any case, for at least two years as an advocate´s assistant, public legal aid counsel or independent legal practitioner resulting in comparable experience in advocacy;
• Have passed an examination in professional ethics and in the special regulations relating to advocates (Bar Examination);
• Be known to be honest and, in respect of his/her other characteristics and way of life, suitable for the profession of advocate
• Must not be bankrupt and be of full legal capacity.

Foreign Lawyers

In accordance with international commitments that have entered into force in Finland, a person holding the professional qualifications of a lawyer in one of the states of the European Economic Area may be accepted as an advocate. In such cases, the applicant must prove in an examination arranged by the Association that s/he has sufficient knowledge of Finnish legislation and of the practise of law in Finland.

A person holding the professional qualifications of a lawyer in a member state of the European Union may also be accepted as an advocate if s/he has been registered for at least three years in the EU register kept by the Bar Association and proves that s/he has pursued the profession of advocate in Finland for at least that period.