From the beginning of 2016 Finns testifying in court cases will no longer be required to swear in the name of God before giving evidence, the regional Savon Sanomat paper reported on Sunday.
Until the custom changes people testifying in court cases will still be given the choice between what is called a todistajan vala ("witness's oath") and a todistajan vakuutus ("witness's affirmation"). The oath includes an invocation to an "omnipotent and omniscient God", whereas the corresponding affirmation is sworn "on one's honour and conscience".
Once the change takes place the religious-sounding oath will become obsolete and only the corresponding personal pledge will be used, Savon Sanomat reports.
Bibles will also no longer be needed in courts as witnesses will repeat their secular pledge after the judge. All witnesses say the same affirmation, by which they promise to tell the truth in their testimony or be found guilty of perjury.
Common-law partners, confidentiality extended
Court etiquette will also change in that a concerned party's unmarried or common-law partner will henceforth also be equated to one's married partner.
Common-law partners will in future have the right to refrain from testifying in the case of a loved-one or ex-partner, a right that only married or divorced parties have had until now.
Healthcare professionals such as doctors, pharmacists and midwives are not allowed to testify against their clients or patients. The same proscription will also include professions such as psychotherapists and nurses starting January 1.
Anonymous testimonies
Another addition to witness procedure is anonymous testifying. A court can decide to conceal the identity of a witness in serious offences such as homicides, aggravated drug crimes and aggravated robbery.
Anonymous testimonies can only be ruled upon if the witness cannot otherwise be sufficiently protected against potential retribution.
Anonymous testifying may also be extended to police working undercover operations to keep the officers' identities hidden.
