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

Main publications

  • Kansallisen ja Euroopan unionin ohjelmaperusteisen aluepolitikan yhteensovittaminen (1995). Book based on the LL.M. thesis.
  • Tietoturvallisuus ja laki (1997). Joint work with Ahti Saarenpää, Tuomas Pöysti, Viveca Still and Ruxandra Balboa-Alcoreza.
  • Tilintarkastajan riippumattomuus (1999). Book based on the licentiate thesis.
  • Valtion omistajavalta (1999). Joint work with Pertti Eilavaara.
  • Ylimmän laillisuusvalvonnan rajanvetoja. Article, Edilex series 2001
  • Euroopan unionin erillisvirastojärjestelmän oikeudelliset perusteet. Article, Edilex series April 24, 2002
  • Perusoikeudet edunvalvonnan laillisuusvalvonnassa. Article, Lakimies 3/2007
  • Vapaaehtoinen maanpuolustus julkisena hallintotehtävänä ja sen laillisuusvalvonta. Article, Edilex Series 2008/5, 14 April 2008
  • Yksityisyys ja julkisuus holhoustoimessa. Article, Defensor Legis 2008/5
  • Kuuluuko vai eikö kuulu? – Havaintoja oikeusasiamiehen toimivallasta. In publication Eduskunnan oikeusasiamies 90 vuotta (2010)
  • Hyvä edunvalvontatapa holhoustoimessa. Article, Defensor Legis 2011/2
  • Hyvä holhousoikeudellinen lupamenettely. Article, Edilex series 2012/22, 15 May 2012
  • Onko eduskunnan oikeusasiamiehellä sijaa oikeudenkäyntiavustajakunnan valvonnassa? Article, Defensor Legis No 1/2013
  • Kielellisten oikeuksien toteutumisen haasteita eduskunnan oikeusasiamiehen laillisuusvalvonnan näkökulmasta. Article, Edilex series 2015/32, 24 August 2015
  • Yleisessä edunvalvonnassa päämiehelle aiheutettujen vahinkojen hyvittäminen. Article, Edilex series 2016/22, 16 August 2016
  • Edunvalvonta ja läheiset. Article, Edilex series 2017/28, 19 June 2017
  • Eduskunnan oikeusasiamies yleispalveluiden ja julkisten palveluiden valvojana. Article, Edilex series 2019/43, 13 November 2019
  • Yleinen edunvalvonta eduskunnan oikeusasiamiehen laillisuusvalvonnassa – Havaintoja perusoikeuksista ja kanteluteemoista. Article, Edilex series 2021/14, 8 March 2021
  • Eduskunnan oikeusasiamies holhousviranomaisen valvojana. Article, Edilex 2023/12, 19 April 2023
  • Mikä on oikeusasiamiehen valvoma julkinen tehtävä? Deputy-Ombudsman's general comment in the Annual Report 2023 of the Parliamentary Ombudsman of Finland (K 15/2024 vp)
  • Hallinnon yleislakien äärellä. Deputy-Ombudsman's general comment in the Annual Report 2024 of the Parliamentary Ombudsman of Finland (K 17/2025 vp)