Contracts and agreements form the backbone of legal transactions around the world, and understanding the terminology used within them can be crucial for anyone dealing with such documents in a foreign language. Finnish, like any language, has its own set of legal vocabulary that can be complex and specific. In this article, we’ll explore some of the essential legal vocabulary related to contracts and agreements in Finnish.

Sopimus
The Finnish word for “contract” or “agreement” is sopimus. This term refers to a mutually binding legal document that specifies and regulates the rights and duties of the parties involved.
Kun teet työsopimuksen, muista lukea koko sopimus huolella läpi.

Velvoite
The term velvoite translates to “obligation” in English. It signifies a duty or a commitment that a party must fulfill as per the terms of the contract.
Myyjällä on velvoite toimittaa tuotteet sovitussa aikataulussa.

Oikeus
In Finnish, oikeus means “right.” This word denotes a legal entitlement or privilege granted to a party under the terms of an agreement or by law.
Ostajalla on oikeus palauttaa tuote, jos se ei vastaa sovittua laatua.

Soveltaminen
The word soveltaminen refers to “application” in the context of contracts. It indicates the manner in which the terms of the contract are to be executed or enforced.
Sopimuksen soveltaminen käytännössä voi vaatia joustavuutta molemmilta osapuolilta.

Yleiset ehdot
Yleiset ehdot or “general conditions” are standardized terms and conditions that are commonly included in contracts to provide a framework for the agreement.
Ennen sopimuksen allekirjoittamista, on tärkeää ymmärtää kaikki yleiset ehdot.

Erityisehdot
Contrasting with general conditions, erityisehdot means “special conditions” or “particular conditions.” These are terms and conditions that are specifically tailored to the unique aspects of the agreement.
Projektin erityisehdot on listattu sopimuksen liitteessä.

Vastuu
The Finnish term vastuu translates to “liability” or “responsibility.” It describes the legal obligation of a party to compensate for any loss caused through the execution of the contract.
Rakennusvirheiden osalta urakoitsija kantaa täyden vastuun.

Sanktio
Sanktio, meaning “sanction” or “penalty,” refers to a punitive measure that can be enacted if one of the parties fails to comply with the contract terms.
Jos toimitukset viivästyvät, sopimus voi määrätä taloudellisen sanktion.

Määräaika
A määräaika is a “deadline” or “time limit” for the fulfillment of an obligation or the exercise of a right within a contract.
Määräaika laskun maksamiselle on 30 päivää laskun päiväyksestä.

Immateriaalioikeudet
The term immateriaalioikeudet translates to “intellectual property rights.” These are legal entitlements related to creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, and symbols.
Sopimuksen mukaan kaikki immateriaalioikeudet siirtyvät ostajalle.

Pätevyys
The word pätevyys in the context of contracts means “validity.” It refers to whether the contract is legally binding and enforceable.
Sopimuksen pätevyys riippuu siitä, ovatko kaikki osapuolet allekirjoittaneet sen.

Sopimusrikkomus
Sopimusrikkomus corresponds to “breach of contract.” It occurs when one party fails to fulfill their obligations as specified in the contract.
Jos ilmenee sopimusrikkomus, osapuolet voivat joutua oikeuteen sopimuksen ehdoista.

Lunastuslauseke
A lunastuslauseke, or “redemption clause,” is a contract provision that allows one party to purchase something back from another party.
Sopimukseen sisältyvä lunastuslauseke antaa yritykselle mahdollisuuden ostaa omat osakkeensa takaisin.

Neuvotteluoikeus
Finally, neuvotteluoikeus is “bargaining power” or “negotiation right.” It gives a party the ability to discuss and modify the terms of a contract before agreeing to it.
Työntekijöillä on neuvotteluoikeus heidän työehtosopimustensa osalta.

Understanding these words is key to navigating legal documents in Finnish. They provide the basis for clear communication about rights, responsibilities, and expectations in business dealings, and expert knowledge of them can prevent misunderstandings and disputes. Keep this vocabulary in mind when dealing with contracts and agreements to ensure a better grasp of the legal implications and requirements.