News

The Supreme Court of Estonia hosted a delegation from the Constitutional Court of Ukraine between September 20 and 25 to introduce Estonia’s system of constitutional review, ongoing judicial reform and the digitalisation of the administration of justice, and to exchange experiences on the organisation of the work of the courts in the two countri

On September 7th and 8th, a delegation of the Supreme Court visited the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in Luxembourg. The visit included discussions on various legal issues, ranging from preliminary rulings to data protection in administrative and criminal proceedings.

The Supreme Court en banc has ruled that the amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act can be interpreted in a manner that does not lead to arbitrary compulsory dissolution of religious associations and therefore does not violate freedom of religion or freedom of association.

The Yearbook of Estonian Courts, published on 21 April, addresses issues that have attracted considerable public attention, including juvenile offending, diverse employment disputes, and the dilemmas surrounding the hunting of large carnivores and nature conservation.

From 20 to 22 May, representatives of the highest courts of the Baltic States met in Tallinn to discuss recent developments within their judicial systems as well as significant civil and criminal case law from recent years.

At a joint seminar members of the Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court of Estonia met with a delegation from the 5th Civil Senate of the Federal Court of Justice of Germany, with whom they discussed civil law issues important to both courts.

On January 21 and 22, 14 Supreme Court justices learned to know the work of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg and discussed current topics with colleagues, such as the harmonization of case law, heavy caseloads of courts, and judicial liability.

Judges from five countries paid a visit to Estonia’s courts and judicial authorities from 8-19 September. The specificities and bottlenecks of legal systems were discussed during the meetings, as were possibilities for the development of the law.

The main topics of the Yearbook of Estonian Courts, published in April, are the disciplinary proceedings of judges, the evaluation of their work and the provision of feedback.

Today the Network of the Presidents of the Supreme Judicial Courts of the European Union held a board meeting at the Supreme Court of Tartu to discuss issues concerning the work of the Network. Preparations were also made for a colloquium to be held in Hague on 13–14 November.

The Supreme Court, in cooperation with the Estonian Centre for International Development Cooperation (ESTDEV), organised a study visit to Estonia for a delegation of judges and advisers of the Constitutional Court of Moldova. From 17 to 20 February, the delegation had a comprehensive look at the Estonian judicial system and digital solutions.

A delegation from the Constitutional Court of Moldova is on a study visit to Estonia from 17 to 20 February to familiarise themselves with the Estonian judicial system and the work of the Supreme Court.

On 20–21 January, the Supreme Court of Estonia will host a 15-member delegation from the Supreme Court of Justice of the Republic of Moldova and the Council of Europe. The purpose of the visit is to get to know the structure of the Estonian judicial system and the organisation of the work of the Supreme Court.

The Venice Commission, in cooperation with the Constitutional Court of Armenia and the Directorate General for Human Rights and Rule of Law of the Council of Europe, organised an international conference in Yerevan, Armenia, on 14–15 November to discuss the role of constitutional courts in ensuring the rule of law and human rights.

Judges from five foreign countries visited Estonian courts and law enforcement authorities from 16 to 20 September. Judges from the Netherlands, France, Italy, Bulgaria and Romania participated in the exchange programme of the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN).

The Yearbook of Estonian Courts published in April is now also partly available in English. The yearbook is dedicated to the development of the judiciary, and includes reading on plans to change the judicial administration model and the need for a court development plan.

A 15-strong delegation of Ukrainian judges visited Estonia from 27-31 May to familiarise themselves with the Estonian court system and the work of the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the Chancellor of Justice, the county courts in Harju, Tartu and Pärnu counties and the Supreme Court.

On Thursday, 29 February, a trilateral cooperation meeting of the constitutional courts of the Baltic States took place in Riga, attended by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Villu Kõve, the Chairman of the Criminal Chamber Saale Laos, Judge of the Administrative Chamber Nele Siitam, Judge of the Civil Chamber Vahur-Peeter Liin and Legal Ad

The delegation of the Supreme Court, consisting of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Villu Kõve, Chairman of the Civil Chamber, Urmas Volens, Chairman of the Administrative Chamber Ivo Pilving and Judge of the Criminal Chamber Paavo Randma, visited the Supreme Court of Ukraine on 18-22 November, as well as the Court of Appeal in Kyiv and the di

On Monday, 2 October, the Supreme Court hosted Viktor Vadász, Director of Programmes of the Academy of European Law (ERA).