Since 1 October 2026, Estonian courts of first and second instance have been administered by the Judicial Council.

The Judicial Council comprises:

  • the President of the Supreme Court;
  • three first-instance judges and two second-instance judges elected by the General Assembly of Estonian Judges;
  • two members of the Riigikogu;
  • a sworn advocate appointed by the Board of the Bar Association;
  • the Chancellor of Justice or a representative appointed by the Chancellor;
  • the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs or a representative appointed by the Minister.

The President of the Supreme Court convenes the Council’s sessions. The chief judges of the courts of first and second instance are entitled to attend the sessions and speak.

Kohtute nõukogu

Members of the first composition of the Judicial Council.

Main responsibilities of the Council:

  • Directing and coordinating the administration and development of the courts;
  • Determining the functions and organisational structure of the Court Administration Service (CAS), adopting its statutes, and appointing and dismissing its Director;
  • Making proposals on the draft budget for the court system prepared by the CAS, approving the budget, allocating funds among the courts of first and second instance and the CAS, and overseeing the use of the budget;
  • Approving the principles governing the organisation of work of the courts and the CAS, as well as their cooperation;
  • Establishing the methodology for calculating court caseloads;
  • Establishing the principles for drawing up judges’ work allocation plans;
  • Approving the development plan for the courts of first and second instance;
  • Appointing and dismissing chief judges and exercising supervision over them;
  • Determines the exact locations of the courthouses of district courts, administrative courts and circuit courts, as well as the allocation of judges among courts and courthouses;
  • Approving the description of judges’ robes;
  • Making proposals for legislation governing court administration, the judicial service and court proceedings, and providing opinions on draft legislation in these areas;
  • Establishing the procedure for calculating additional remuneration for on-call duty and determining the number of judges assigned to such duty.

Before 1 October 2026, the courts of first and second instance were administered by the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs in cooperation with the Council for Administration of Courts.