Self-review of the decision issued by the determining authority is applicable in Finland. The Finnish Immigration Service (FIS) may annul its decision and take a new decision if the decision is clearly based on erroneous or insufficient evidence, on a manifestly incorrect application of the law, if a procedural error occurred or new evidence may significantly affect the decision (see more under Access to the appeal procedure).
Furthermore, there are two appeals possible against a decision regarding international protection.
The first appeal is before four administrative courts (hallinto-oikeus), namely the Helsinki Administrative Court (Helsingin hallinto-oikeus) and the Administrative Courts of Eastern Finland, Northern Finland and Turku. The competence of an administrative court in asylum related cases is determined based on the operating area of FIS (Southern, Northern, Western or Eastern). For other appeals against decisions taken by FIS, the competence is determined based on the place where the person concerned lives (Articles 192 and 193 Aliens Act). Administrative courts are not specialised asylum courts, but they have sections or panels dedicated to cases regarding international protection.
There is automatic suspensive effect for appeals in the regular asylum procedure. For other types of procedures, see Other appeals. In addition, administrative courts examine appeals in full and ex nunc, on all aspects of fact and law.
Note that district courts examine detention cases while in matters concerning family reunification there are six administrative courts with competence to examine appeals (see Other appeals).
The second appeal is before the Supreme Administrative Court (korkein hallinto-oikeus) and concerns appeals lodged against decisions of administrative courts, if the Supreme Administrative Court allows leave to appeal. The Supreme Administrative Court is located in Helsinki and examines appeals in full, on both facts and law. A leave to appeal is granted if it is important for the application of the law or the consistency of court practice or if there is another compelling reason for it. There is no automatic suspensive effect before the Supreme Administrative Court, but it can be granted at the applicant’s request.
The relevant legal provisions concerning the first and second appeal in asylum cases are Articles 190-202 of the Aliens Act. Other general and relevant legislative provisions related to appeals procedure are: