Judgment Reviews Law at Estonia
In Estonia, the judicial system provides structured mechanisms for reviewing judgments, ensuring fairness and the correction of errors. Here's an overview of how judgment reviews are conducted:
⚖️ Judicial Review Mechanisms in Estonia
1. Supreme Court (Riigikohus)
The Supreme Court is the highest court in Estonia and serves as both the court of cassation and the court of constitutional review. It reviews court judgments through cassation proceedings and hears petitions for constitutional review. The Court is composed of 19 justices and is divided into the Civil Chamber, Criminal Chamber, Administrative Law Chamber, and the Constitutional Review Chamber. The Supreme Court does not accept all filed appeals; it accepts a matter for proceedings if:
The circuit court has evidently applied a provision of substantive law incorrectly or has materially violated a provision of procedural law, and this could have resulted in an incorrect judgment.
The adjudication of the appeal in cassation has fundamental importance with respect to guaranteeing legal certainty and developing a uniform judicial practice.
No pre-trial proceedings are required when appeals are filed with the Constitutional Review Chamber. Appeals may also be heard by Special (ad hoc) Panels or by the Supreme Court en banc. The Supreme Court en banc, comprised of all justices of the Supreme Court, is the highest body of the Court.
2. Court of Appeal (Ringkonnakohus)
The Court of Appeal reviews decisions made in civil matters by the county courts within its territorial jurisdiction, on the basis of appeals against decisions and rulings. It also adjudicates other matters placed within its jurisdiction by law. The Court of Appeal serves as the second instance in the Estonian court system.
3. County and Administrative Courts
County and administrative courts are the first instance courts in Estonia. They handle civil, criminal, and administrative cases. Decisions made by these courts can be appealed to the Court of Appeal. If a party is dissatisfied with a judgment, they have the right to appeal to higher courts, following the established appeal process.
✅ Summary Table
| Court Level | Function | Appeal to Next Level |
|---|---|---|
| County and Administrative Courts | Handle initial cases in civil, criminal, and administrative matters | Court of Appeal |
| Court of Appeal | Reviews decisions from lower courts | Supreme Court |
| Supreme Court | Final appellate court; ensures correct application of the law | None (final decision) |
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