Finland is an enviable destination for depositions.  First of all, there is plenty of coffee! Finns drink more coffee than any other nation in the world. No one will have any issues remaining alert through a deposition in this country. In seriousness, though, Finland makes scheduling depositions easy, and it is a unique and gorgeous country to visit, should you be attending the depositions in person.

Finland is a party to The Hague Evidence Convention, but permits the taking of depositions regardless of the witness’ nationality, with no restrictions or troublesome requirements. This makes it an ideal location to depose a Russian witness who is willing to travel, incidentally, as Russia does not permit depositions at all. Further simplifying matters, Finland requires no visa for U.S. citizens visiting, so you can attend in person with ease. Should you prefer to attend via videoconference (or mobile videoconference), hotels in Helsinki and elsewhere can easily accommodate this request. Also worth mentioning, English is widely spoken and Finns are by nature a hospitable people.

Working with a court reporting agency with local reporters will really make scheduling in Finland a breeze, first by drastically cutting travel costs related to the deposition. The agency can schedule the reporter, videographer, and interpreter if one is needed, so you don’t have to scramble to find a qualified team. A local reporter and videographer can assist with printing of exhibits, as well as the myriad of other logistical details involved in depositions abroad. They can even offer suggestions for how to make the most of any free time you have while in Finland, whether you like museums, music, or nature.

On that topic, the time of year will affect the amount of free time you have. Winter days in Finland are short and cold, and the winter is long! If the winter is cold enough, the Northern Lights can be seen in Helsinki, though, so maybe the bite of frigid temperatures isn’t so dreadful. Spring, when it finally arrives, is brief and still chilly, but can be quite pretty, with flowers peeking out of the snow and everything gradually turning lush and green. Helsinki becomes more bustling as spring creeps rapidly to summer and people get out and about. Summer days are long (19 hours of sunlight in Helsinki!) and warm — but not hot — and Finns take advantage by getting outside for hiking, sailing, and festivals. 2017 promises some especially appealing festivals, as Finland celebrates 100 years of independence. Autumn is a short season as well, packed with gorgeous colors, and more outdoor activities before winter comes and brings back the cold temperatures.

Lastly, a few things to remember for your depositions in Finland:

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months past your departure from the Schengen Area.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
• If taking the deposition via videoconference, conduct a test call prior to the deposition!
• Sample the coffee and enjoy Finland!

Finland has much to offer as a deposition destination.  For more information, visit U.S. State Department – Finland Travel or U.S. Embassy – Finland.