Our professional interpreters follow a strict code of professional and customer confidentiality. We work seamlessly with, for example, immigration services, different professional parties, legal institutions, the police and hospitals.
Finnish Law
Aliens Act 301/2004
Section 203 Interpretation and translation
(1) The authorities shall provide interpretation or translation if the alien does not understand the Finnish or Swedish language used by the authorities under the Language Act (423/2003), or if he or she, because of his or her disability or illness, cannot be understood in a matter that:
1) is processed in the asylum procedure; 2) pertains to refusal of entry or deportation; or 3) may be initiated by the authorities. (2) To clarify the matter or to secure the rights of the person concerned, the authorities may also provide interpretation or translation in matters other than those referred to in subsection 1. (3) The provisions on the obligation of an administrative court to provide interpretation or translation are laid down in the Administrative Judicial Procedure Act. (4) The obligation of the authorities or a court to provide translation or interpretation does not apply to material that has no bearing on the processing of a matter. (5) The person concerned has the right to be notified of a decision concerning him or her in his or her mother tongue or in a language which, on reasonable grounds, he or she can be expected to understand. A decision is notified through interpretation or translation.
Administrative Procedure Act (434/2003)
Section 26 — Interpretation and translation (1) The authority shall arrange for interpretation and translation in a matter that can become pending on the initiative of the authority, if: (1) a party using the Romani language, sign language or another language does not know the language, Finnish or Swedish, used in the authority; or (2) a person who owing to a handicap or illness cannot be understood. (2) The matter may be interpreted or translated into a language that the party can be deemed to know adequately in view of the nature of the matter. (3) For purposes of clarification of the matter or the safeguarding of the rights of the parties, the authority may arrange for interpretation and translation also in matters other than those referred to in subsection (1). (4) The right of a person using Finnish or Swedish to interpretation and translation arranged by the authority is governed by the Language Act (423/2003). Separate provisions apply to interpretation and translation into the Saami language. An authority shall see to it that citizens of other Nordic countries have access to the interpretation and translation needed in matters considered by it
Language Act (423/2003)
Section 10 – The right to use Finnish and Swedish before an authority— The linguistic rights of a private individual before an authority (1) Everyone has the right to use Finnish or Swedish before a State authority and an authority of a bilingual municipality. In addition, an authority shall arrange that a person to be heard in a matter has the possibility of being heard in his or her own language, Finnish or Swedish. (2) A unilingual municipal authority uses the language of the municipality, unless the authority decides otherwise on request or unless otherwise provided elsewhere in law. However, everyone has the right to use, and be heard in, his or her own language in a matter that has become pending on the initiative of an authority and that directly affects his or her fundamental rights, the fundamental rights of a person in his or her custody, or an obligation that he or she has been assigned by the authority
Section 18 — The right to interpretation (1) If a person has the right under law to use his or her own language but the language of an authority or the language of proceedings is different, the authority shall arrange for interpretation free of charge unless it itself takes care of the interpretation or unless otherwise provided under subsection 2. (2) A party who wants interpretation in a case referred to in Sections 15 and 16 shall arrange for the interpretation himself or herself and at his or her own expense, unless with regard to the nature of the case the court decides otherwise.
Act on status and rights of social welfare clients (2000/812)
Section 5
Customer’s rights to get clarification on different procedure options.
The social welfare staff must clarify to the client their rights and obligations as well as different options and their impacts and also other relevant details related to their case.
The clarification must be given in a way that the client understands its content and importance.
If the staff does not know the client’s language or the client is not able to be understood due to a speech impediment or damage concerning senses or for some other reason, an interpreter is to be used according to possibilities.
If the subject matter in question has been introduced by a public authority, the interpretation and translation is to be handled according to Section 26 of 434/2003. (30.12.2003/1361)
Act on the status and rights of patients (785/1992)
Section 5 Patients' right to be informed
A patient shall be given information about his/her state of health, the significance of the treatment, various alternative forms of treatment and their effects and about other factors related to his/her treatment that are significant when decisions are made on the treatment given to him/her. However, this information shall not be given against the will of the patient or when it is obvious that giving the information would cause serious hazard to the life or health of the patient. Health care professionals should try to give the information in such a way that the patient can understand it. If the health care professional does not know the language used by the patient or if the patient because of a sensory handicap or speech defect cannot be understood, interpretation should be provided if possible. Concerning the right of the patient to check the data concerning himself/herself in the patient documents, the provisions of sections 26 to 28 of the Personal Data Act (523/1999) shall apply. Concerning the patient’s right of access to information, the relevant provisions of sections 11 and 12 of the Act on the Openness of Government Activities (621/1999) shall apply in addition. (653/2000)
