Abstract

This article examines the Finnish enforcement system, focusing on the interplay between rehabilitative and social objectives, and the necessity of stringent measures to combat fraudulent debtors. It explores the challenges of designing enforcement policies that simultaneously protect honest, over-indebted individuals while effectively addressing artificial arrangements intended to evade financial obligations. Through an analysis of the psychological dimensions of enforcement, the study underscores the critical role of perceived fairness in fostering voluntary compliance and sustaining trust in the system. The findings suggest that a rehabilitative approach not only benefits debtors by facilitating financial recovery, but also serves the long-term interests of creditors by promoting higher repayment rates and economic stability. Ultimately, the study argues that rather than being inherently contradictory, rehabilitative and punitive measures can be strategically integrated to enhance the overall efficiency and legitimacy of enforcement legislation.

Keywords: over-indebtedness, rehabilitative enforcement, Finnish enforcement system, perceived fairness, voluntary compliance, fraudulent debtors, psychology of enforcement

How to Cite:

Ervo, L., (2025) “Moral and Economic Costs of Enforcement ”, Law & Criminology Journal 2(2), 45-57. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/lcj.94102