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Title:
KKO:2001:61
Party:
Finland
Region:
Europe
Type of document:
National - higher court
Date of text:
March 22, 2001
Data source:
InforMEA
Court name:
Korkein oikeus
Seat of court:
Helsinki
Reference number:
KKO:2001:61
ECOLEX subject(s):
Land & soil
Legal questions
Abstract:

The case concerned the criminal liability in environmental cases for actions outsourced to a contractor by the government.  An important issue was who would be seen as the party whose activity caused the damage or a comparable party.

 

Tremors from the foundation work for the construction of a road caused cracks in the walls of a nearby building. The city had the legal responsibility for constructing the road and in this case it was considered to be the party responsible for the activity.

 

In accordance with the Section 7 of the Act on Compensation for Environmental Damage, which applies strict liability, it was therefore liable for damages to the other property. This was the case regardless of the construction work having been performed by an independent operator.