Along with the Chancellor of Justice, the actions of Government Ministers and public officials are also supervised by another authority established in connection with the Government, namely the Deputy Chancellor of Justice. Whenever the Chancellor of Justice is prevented from attending to his duties, the Deputy Chancellor of Justice stands in on his behalf. The legal provisions applicable to the Chancellor of Justice also apply to the Deputy Chancellor of Justice.

In practice, the Deputy Chancellor of Justice deals with and decides most of the complaints submitted to the Chancellor of Justice. Other matters dealt with by the Deputy Chancellor include supervising the courts of law. The Deputy Chancellor of Justice can order charges to be brought against a public official in cases where serious misconduct in office is suspected. The Deputy Chancellor of Justice decides matters within his purview with the same authority as the Chancellor of Justice.

The Deputy Chancellor of Justice is appointed by the President of the Republic. Mr. Mikko Puumalainen (LL.Lic) has held the office since 1.9.2007. 

The Deputy Chancellor of Justice has a substitute who stands in for him on request of the Chancellor of Justice when the Deputy Chancellor is prevented from attending to his duties. The President of the Republic has appointed Mr. Risto Hiekkataipale (LL.M.), the head of the Departmet for Government Affairs of the Office of the Chancellor of Justice, as substitute Deputy Chancellor of Justice for the period 1st Oct. 2007 - 30th Sept. 2012.