Deputy-Ombudsman Mikko Sarja

The Deputy Parliamentary Ombudsman is Mikko Sarja, a Licentiate of Laws, and a Deputy Judge.

Sarja stepped into his position as Deputy Parliamentary Ombudsman on 1 June 2023.

Before this, Sarja acted as the substitute Deputy Parliamentary Ombudsman in 2017–2023 and served as Principal Legal Adviser as of 2016.
Sarja has worked at the office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman since 2003. Before that, Sarja served as a presenting official at the Office of the Chancellor of Justice and conducted research at the University of Lapland.

Sarja has written and participated in the writing of several publications, the key themes of which have been regional policy legislation, the independence of financial audits, the use of state ownership, information security, public guardianship and guardianship services as well as topics related to the Ombudsman's competence and oversight of legality.

Curriculum vitae

Education

  • Graduate, Nivala Upper Secondary School 1989
  • Bachelor of Laws, University of Lapland 1997
  • Licentiate of Law, University of Lapland 1998
  • Deputy Judge 2003

Career

  • Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman
    • Deputy Parliamentary Ombudsman 1 June 2023 –
    • Substitute Deputy Parliamentary Ombudsman 1 October 2017–31 May 2023
    • Principal Legal Adviser 1 December 2016 –
    • Secretary of the Parliamentary Ombudsman and Senior Secretary of the Parliamentary Ombudsman 1 August 2003 - 30 November 2016
  • Helsinki District Court
    • Notary 1 February 2002 - 31 January 2003
  • Office of the Chancellor of Justice
    • EU assistant, Legal Adviser and junior Secretary of the Chancellor of Justice 1 September 1998 - 31 December 2005
  • University of Lapland
    • Research assistant, amanuensis and assistant 1997–1998

Publications

Numerous articles from the perspective of the Ombudsman's oversight of legality, particularly on matters concerning the right of guardianship and Ombudsman´s competence; works on regional policy legislation and the independence of the auditor; in addition, he was involved in writing works on information security and the use of state ownership.