Services

We do in practice almost everything. To Patent Proceedings, Space Law cases and Formation Procedures of Marsh Land Areas we kindly say ‘No thank you’.

 

Photo: Helsinki City Museum, Eeva Rista and Simo Rista

Contract Law

Contracts between companies are rarely regulated by the law. If there are some laws that deals with the contracts between the companies they are often so vague that best way to solve a disagreement is through negotiations. Often these disagreements have to be solved quickly in which our office have strong experience and expertise. In an optimal situation the lawyer is already involved when drawing up the contract, which will help to prevent any future disagreements.

Photo: Helsinki City Museum, Eeva Rista and Simo Rista

Criminal Law, especially economic crimes

In most cases the defendant has to pay their own legal costs except in the situation where they are completely exonerated. This emphasizes the meaning of the experience and know-how from the assisting lawyer. The issues have to be solved quickly and cost-effectively. Being a defendant is often the first and hopefully the only time for a client. A lawyer is often needed if the case is complicated and the client feels that he has not committed a crime. There can be thousands of pages of preliminary investigation material in economic crime cases and to build a defence requires a competent lawyer.

Photo: Helsinki City Museum, Eeva Rista and Simo Rista

Dispute resolution

Majority of the disputes in the companies concerns employment relationships. Also in other cases may be a need for the lawyer. For example taking a lawyer with you to the negotiations or to the district court as soon as possible may save you for later trouble. The lawyer of our office has taken care of hundreds of dispute cases which have given him an expertise. Solving disputes by yourself may lead to loss of the rights for example with different deadlines. Only asking about the assignment will not cost you anything if we end up that you do not need help from the lawyer this time. Do not hesitate to contact us so that we can consider together what would be the smartest thing to do!

Photo: Helsinki City Museum, Eeva Rista and Simo Rista

Employment law

Approximately two thirds of disputes, especially in small and medium sized enterprises are in relation to employment. Termination of the contract of the employment and possible unpaid salary/wages are the issues that employ the district court the most. Since 1994 the lawyer of our office has been advising on employment disputes on behalf of both employers and employees.He has also served eight years as the executive director of the Finnish Hairdressers’ Federation which negotiates the collective agreement with the Service Union United PAM and solves disagreements in the companies which work in that area of business. The employment problems of businesses both inside and outside collective agreements are very familiar to our office.

Photo: Helsinki City Museum, Eeva Rista and Simo Rista

Divorce Law

The division of assets in the case of divorce can often be uncomfortable. Under normal circumstances the value of both the joint and personal assets is calculated and any outstanding debts, joint and personal, subtracted. The sum is then evenly divided between  both parties. Some cases can be more complex especially where both parties have agreed to keep their personal property separate or where one party is required to pay spousal support. These are the most common scenarios but there are plenty of exceptions especially when prenuptial (premarital) agreements are involved.

Photo: Helsinki City Museum, Eeva Rista and Simo Rista

Inheritance Law

Prenuptial (premarital) agreements and wills are ways to prepare for death. Making a will is becoming more common but 9/10 of estates are still being divided without the help of a will. After death beneficiaries are required to divide the estate as well as pay inheritance tax.. This matter can be extremely complex due to family structure and can often create tension between family members if a clear well-structured will has not been drafted. There are plenty of different issues which are free to settle however  regulation of the lawful share is mandatory. The lawyer of our office is highly experienced in dealing with the division of assets with/without a will and is here to ensure the process is as smooth as possible for you and your family.  We are also familiar with drawing up living wills and regulations of trusteeship.

Photo: Helsinki City Museum, Eeva Rista and Simo Rista

Office rental agreements / lease

Premises are a big investment and  cost factor for many companies. The importance of a good rental agreement is further emphasized if the company is required to make large changes to leasehold,  the lease is very low or if equivalent premises cannot be found in a suitable  location. Termination of the contract can be catastrophic for the tenant. Unpaid rent or dismissing the tenant can create big problems to the landlord in which case employing the help of a lawyer is beneficial.

Photo: Helsinki City Museum, Eeva Rista and Simo Rista

Miscellaneous  legal issues for small and medium sized enterprises

Even though it is needed, many companies do not have a partnership agreement in place or an agreement might be formulated but lacks solutions to the most common problems.  These are such matters as sickness of one partner, retirement, selling of shares and debt liability. Our partnership agreements contain 50-70 clauses, which seek to prevent at least three out of four potential future disagreements. We are also able to assist with internal structural changes, business mergers and various other issues relating to company law.

Photo: Helsinki City Museum, Eeva Rista and Simo Rista

Title deeds/ Property law

Companies may need a lawyer for example in a situation where other party appeals to error with the good or with the service. The need for a lawyer may arise also from a situation where other party decides to terminate the agreement prematurely. More often than not the disagreements can be fixed in amicable way. If you bring the lawyer with you to the negotiation it usually speeds up the formation of the agreement. In the end, the disagreement will be solved either in the general court or in the arbitration court which will usually increase the expenses.

Photo: Helsinki City Museum, Eeva Rista and Simo Rista

Tort Law (Damages)

In Finland, the tort law which regulates the damages differs a lot from the American TV-shows. In Finland and also in the rest of the North-Europe you only have to compensate the real damage. The amount of the damages, intention or negligence from the cause and causation have to be shown. According to the law indemnity is different in contractual relation and outside that.

Photo: Helsinki City Museum, Eeva Rista and Simo Rista

Traffic Law and traffic offenses

The lawyer of our office offers a wealth of experience with assisting employers within the transport industry including trucks, buses and taxis. The lawyer of our office has assisted employers in employment as well as other disputes. The road transport contract act includes clauses that most lawyers are not familiar with which may lead to unnecessary loss of rights. Our lawyer offers expertise within this industry and drive things forward.