The aims of the Finnish Bar Association are:

• regulating and supervising the legal profession
• promoting the quality of legal services
• training and supporting its members
• promoting the development of legal environment

The structure of the Bar is regulated in the By-laws of the Bar Association, which the Ministry of Justice has confirmed by a separate decision. The highest decision-making body of the Bar Association is the Delegation, the representatives of which are elected by the local Chapters of the Association in relation to the number of their members. The Board of the Association consists of the president, vice president and seven other members from different parts of the country.

The Disciplinary Board, which deals with matters concerning the supervision of advocates, consists of a chairman and eight members. Three of these members are appointed by the government on the proposal of the Ministry of Justice, issued after the ministry receives the favourable opinion of the Association concerning the suitability of the candidates. The Board appoints a number of committees to assist it.

The Bar Association has an independent position in relation to the government. Decisions on issues regarding membership, matters concerning professional supervision of lawyers and arbitration awards regarding disputes about fees are made by adjudicative responsibility.