Finland. Where the Lugano Convention does not apply the Finnish courts will have jurisdiction over cases involving foreigners if the foreigner has a residence and domicile in Finland. The main rule,with regard to individuals, is that the defendant may be sued where he is domiciled and, with regard to an incorporated business,where it is registered. In addition, a non-resident foreigner may be sued in Finland in the place where he is apprehended or where he has property.
Jurisdiction in matters where the defendant is incorporated, may also rest with the court for the district where the business is carried on. Actions on respect of interest in real estate are heard by the local court for the district where the property is situated. In inheritance matters jurisdiction rests with the court for the district in which the deceased person was last domiciled.
The parties may in most cases agree on the court to have jurisdiction. Such an agreement must be in writing. If the action has already commenced in another court than that which should have jurisdiction then, subject to the defendant's consent, the action may be heard in that court.
