Kohtute seadus (KS)

§ 1. Scope of application of Act

This Act provides the legal grounds for administration of the courts and court service.

§ 2. Administration of justice and independence of court

(1) Justice is administered solely by the courts.

(2) No one has the right to interfere with the administration of justice.

(3) Acts which are directed at disrupting the administration of justice are prohibited at courts and in the vicinity thereof.

§ 3. Main guarantees for independence of judges

(1) Judges are appointed for life.

(2) Judges may be removed from office only by a judgment.

(3) Criminal charges against a judge of a court of first or second instance may be brought during their term of office only on the proposal of the Supreme Court en banc, and with the consent of the President of the Republic.

(4) Criminal charges against a justice of the Supreme Court may be brought during their term of office only on the proposal of the Chancellor of Justice with the consent of the majority of all members of the Riigikogu.

§ 4. Jurisdiction of court

(1) Jurisdiction of a court is provided by law.

(2) A case may be transferred from the jurisdiction of one court to the jurisdiction of another court only on the grounds and in accordance with the rules provided by law.

§ 5. Working language of courts

(1) Judicial proceedings and clerical business in courts are conducted in Estonian.

(2) The use of another language in judicial proceedings is provided by the Acts of procedure.

§ 6. Working hours of court

(1) Judges organise their working hours independently. A judge must perform their duties within reasonable time, having regard to the procedural time limits prescribed by law.

(2) Trials or hearings are held between 9:00 and 18:00 on working days. A trial or hearing may continue after such time where the court finds it justified in the interests of administration of justice.

(3) For adjudication of a criminal case by fast-track procedure, disposing of a misdemeanour case, applying a compliance enforcement measure or granting permission to take an administrative measure, or in case the court finds it necessary in the interests of administration of justice, hearings may also be held at another time.

(4) On-call time is the time during which a judge must be available outside the independently organised working hours in order to perform unforeseen or urgent service duties provided by law.

§ 7. Judicial institution

(1) District Courts, Administrative Courts, Circuit Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court are judicial institutions.

(2) A judicial institution has its own budget and a seal bearing the small national coat of arms.

(3) Judicial institutions are registered in the state register of agencies of the State and local authorities pursuant to the procedure provided in the statutes of the register.

§ 8. Court service

(1) Court service is employment in a judicial institution. Judges and court officers are in court service.

(2) The Civil Service Act applies to judges only in the cases provided in this Act.

(3) The Civil Service Act applies to court officers unless otherwise prescribed by this Act.

(4) A probationary period may be disapplied upon appointment or transfer of a court officer to another judicial institution, unless otherwise provided by this Act.

§ 8¹. Access of judges to state secrets and classified information of foreign states

(1) Judges have the right by virtue of office to access state secrets and classified information of foreign states in order to perform duties assigned to them by the Constitution or Acts of the Republic of Estonia and by legislation issued on the basis thereof.

(2) Where conduct of a security vetting is a mandatory prerequisite for granting the right of access to classified information of foreign states pursuant to an international treaty, the security vetting is conducted also in respect to judges.

(3) To pass the security vetting specified in subsection 2 of this section, a judge completes the form to apply for a security clearance for access to state secrets and signs the consent which permits the authority conducting security vetting to obtain information concerning the person from natural and legal persons and agencies and bodies of the State and local authorities during the conduct of the security vetting, and submits these to the chief judge.

(4) The chief judge determines the agency conducting the security vetting in respect to the judge to which the chief judge forwards the documents specified in subsection 3 of this section.

(5) The security authority submits the information collected in respect to the judge in the course of the security vetting within three months after receipt of the documents specified in subsection 3 of this section to the chief judge. The chief judge submits a reasoned request for granting the judge the right of access to classified information of foreign states together with the data collected in the course of the security vetting to the Supreme Court en banc to decide whether the judge has passed the security vetting. A Personnel Security Clearance is issued pursuant to the procedure prescribed in the State Secrets and Classified Information of Foreign States Act.

§ 8². Registration of procedural documents in court

(1) Any procedural documents received in and sent from court are registered in the court information system and court file. A specified procedure for registration is prescribed in the internal rules of the court office.

(2) Procedural documents received in and sent from court are not registered in the register of documents in case the party to proceedings is provided with access to the procedural documents through a webpage or information system.

§ 9. District Courts

(1) District Courts as the courts of first instance deal with civil, criminal and misdemeanour cases. District Courts perform also other acts placed within their jurisdiction by law.

(2) The following are District Courts:

1) Harju District Court;

2) Viru District Court;

3) Pärnu District Court;

4) Tartu District Court.

(2¹) A District Court has one or several courthouses.

(3) Courthouses are located in the judicial district of a District Court. The minister in charge of the policy sector determines the exact locations of courthouses. The location of every courthouse is also the location of the District Court.

(4) The structure of District Courts and the composition of the staff of court officers are determined by the director of court, except to the extent related to the performance of the function of administration of justice. To this extent, the structure of the court and the composition of the staff of court officers are determined by the chief judge. The provisions of § 43 of this Act are taken into consideration in determination of the structure of a court and the composition of the staff of court officers.

§ 9¹. Civil department and offences department of District Court

(1) A District Court has a civil department and an offences department. There are at least six judges in each department. The chief judge of the court decides on the number of judges to be assigned to each department.

(2) To ensure the specialisation of judges, the full court may decide that the court has several civil or offences departments. In such case the department is named after the specialisation.

(3) Each judge belongs to one department. The full court decides to which department a judge belongs.

(4) The transfer of a judge from one department to another is decided by the chief judge of the court based on an application of the judge, after having heard the opinion of the full court.

§ 10. Judicial district of District Courts

(1) The judicial districts of District Courts are determined by the minister in charge of the policy sector.

(2) Courts which adjudicate cases of a particular type without considering the judicial district may be provided by law.

§ 11. Number of District Court judges

The number of judges in each District Court and their division among courthouses are determined by the minister in charge of the policy sector after having heard the opinions of the chief judge of the District Court and the chief judge of the Circuit Court of Appeal in whose judicial district the court is located.

§ 11¹. Permanent place of service of a District Court judge

(1) The permanent place of service of a District Court judge is in the courthouse to which they have been appointed by the Supreme Court en banc (subsection 3 of § 55) or by the chief judge of the court (§ 57).

(1¹) Where the appointed chief judge of a District Court is a judge who immediately before the appointment served in another court, they are to independently determine the courthouse of their permanent place of service for the duration of the chief judge’s term of office.

(2) A judge may not refuse to hear a case in another courthouse of the same District Court.

(3) If a judge hears a case in a courthouse which is not their permanent place of service, the travel and accommodation expenses, as well as other secondment expenses are reimbursed to the judge on the conditions and pursuant to the procedure established under subsection 5 of § 44 of the Civil Service Act.

§ 11². Pre-trial investigation judge

The pre-trial investigation judge is a judge of the offences department of a District Court, who, sitting alone, performs the duties assigned to them by the Code of Criminal Procedure in pre-trial proceedings.

§ 11³. Enforcement judge

The enforcement judge is a judge of the offences department of a District Court, who, sitting alone, performs the duties assigned to them by the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Code of Misdemeanour Procedure in relation to enforcement of judicial dispositions.

§ 12. Chief judges of District Courts

(1) The chief judge of a District Court is appointed from among the judges of courts of first and second instance for a term of seven years. The chief judge of a court is appointed by the minister in charge of the policy sector after having heard the opinion of the full court for which the chief judge is being appointed.

(1¹) Where the appointed chief judge of a District Court is a judge whose permanent place of service was at another court, the number of judges in the District Court may be larger than determined on the basis of § 11 of this Act.

(1²) Where the appointed chief judge of a District Court is a judge of a Circuit Court of Appeal, they continue to receive the salary of the judge of the Circuit Court of Appeal, to which additional remuneration for the performance of the chief judge’s duties is added.

(2) The chief judge of a District Court represents and directs the judicial institution within the limits of their competence. The chief judge of a court is responsible for administration of justice in the court pursuant to the established procedure.

(3) The chief judges of District Courts:

1) organise activities in the area of administration of justice;

2) approve the draft budget of the court prepared by the director of court;

3) exercise oversight prescribed by law;

3¹) decide on the transfer of a judge in accordance with the procedure provided in § 57 of this Act.

4) prepare a draft of the training plan of judges and submit it for approval to the full court, organise and monitor compliance with the plan and present a review on compliance with the plan to the full court at least once a year;

4¹) approve the on-call schedule of judges;

5) perform other duties arising from law and the internal rules of the court.

(4) The minister in charge of the policy sector may release the chief judge of a court prematurely:

1) at the request of the chief judge of the court;

2) where the chief judge of the court has wrongfully failed to perform their duties to a material extent;

3) upon their election or appointment as a judge of the European Court of Human Rights, European Court of Justice or other international court institution (hereinafter international court institution) (§ 58⁴) or the European Chief Prosecutor, European Prosecutor or European Delegated Prosecutor of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.

(5) In the event specified in clause 2 of subsection 4 of this section, the minister in charge of the policy sector hears the opinion of the full court and the opinion of the chief judge of the Circuit Court of Appeal in whose judicial district the District Court is located.

(6) In the absence of the chief judge of a court, they are substituted by a judge designated by them. Where the chief judge of a court has not designated an acting chief judge, a judge who is the senior in office substitutes for them, and where there is equal seniority in office, a judge who is senior in age substitutes for them.

(7) Where the chief judge of a court is released from the office of judge, they are also released from the duties of the chief judge of the court.

(8) Upon release of the chief judge of a court from the duties of the chief judge of the court, they retain the powers of a judge.

(10) No one may be appointed as chief judge of the same court for two consecutive terms of office.

(11) Where the chief judge of a District Court is released from the duties of the chief judge before the expiry of the term of office, the judge returns to the court of their service prior to appointment as the chief judge of the District Court.

(12) Where the term of office of the chief judge of a District Court expires due to the expiry of the term of office, the judge may return to the court of their service prior to appointment as the chief judge of the District Court or continue service as a judge in the District Court where they were the chief judge. The chief judge of a District Court submits a respective application in writing to the minister in charge of the policy sector at least three months before the expiry of the term of office.

(13) Where subsections 11 and 12 of this section are applied, the number of judges in the District Court may be larger than determined on the basis of § 11 of this Act.

§ 12². Head of department of District Court

(1) The chief judge of a District Court appoints the head of a department from among the judges comprising the department for a term of four years after having heard the opinion of the judges of the given department.

(2) The head of a department supports the administration of justice pursuant to the requirements in their area of responsibility and organises the work of the officers of the department. The head of a department also performs the duties assigned to them by the chief judge of a District Court and prescribed in the internal rules of the court, and organises sectoral cooperation with the departments and chambers of other courts.

(3) The chief judge of a District Court may, by a directive, reduce the work load of the head of a department in the administration of justice to the extent necessary for performing the duties of the head of department.

(4) The chief judge of a District Court may release a head of department prematurely from the duties of the head of department:

1) at the request of the head of department;

2) due to failure of co-operation with the chief judge of the District Court.

§ 14. Lay judges

The number of lay judges in each District Court is determined by the minister in charge of the policy sector with the approval of the Council for Administration of Courts after having heard the opinion of the full court of the District Court.

§ 15. Land registry department

(1) Tartu District Court comprises the land registry department.

(2) The land register and ship register are maintained in the land registry department.

(4) The land registry department is comprised of assistant judges and other court officers. The director of court appoints the head of the land registry department from among the assistant judges of the land registry department.

§ 16. Registration department

(1) Tartu District Court comprises the registration department.

(2) The commercial register, non-profit associations and foundations register and commercial pledge register are maintained in the registration department.

(2¹) In addition to the registers specified in subsection 2 of this section, Tartu District Court registration department maintains the informative state register of agencies of the State and local authorities with the objective of keeping record, within the public sector, of the agencies of the State and local authorities as well as legal persons in public law and making the register data available. The procedure for maintaining the register is established by the minister in charge of the policy sector.

(4) The registration department is comprised of assistant judges, registry secretaries and other court officers. The director of court appoints the head of the registration department from among the assistant judges of the registration department.

§ 16¹. Order for payment department

(1) Pärnu District Court comprises the order for payment department.

(2) The order for payment department deals with petitions for order for payment procedure.

(3) The order for payment department is comprised of assistant judges and other court officers. The director of court appoints the head of the order for payment department from among the assistant judges of the order for payment department.

§ 16². Guardianship supervision department

(1) The guardianship supervision department performs the supervisory functions referred to in § 193 and the functions provided in § 194 of the Family Act.

(2) Pärnu District Court has the guardianship supervision department.

(3) The chief judge of Pärnu District Court appoints the head of the guardianship supervision department for a term of four years from among the judges comprising the civil department of Pärnu District Court. The provisions of subsections 3 and 4 of § 12² of this Act apply to the head of department.

(4) The internal rules of the guardianship supervision department are approved by the chief judge of Pärnu District Court after having heard the opinion of the chief judges of District Courts.

§ 18. Administrative Courts

(1) Administrative Courts as the courts of first instance deal with administrative cases placed within their jurisdiction. Administrative Courts perform also other acts placed within their jurisdiction by law.

(2) The following are Administrative Courts:

1) Tallinn Administrative Court;

2) Tartu Administrative Court.

(2¹) An Administrative Court has one or several courthouses.

(3) Courthouses are located in the judicial district of an Administrative Court determined by the minister in charge of the policy sector. The minister in charge of the policy sector determines the exact locations of the courthouses. The location of every courthouse is also the location of the Administrative Court.

(4) The structure of Administrative Courts and the composition of the staff of court officers are determined by the director of court, except in the field related to the performance of the function of administration of justice. In such field, the structure of the court and the composition of the staff of court officers are determined by the chief judge of the court. The provisions of § 43 of this Act are taken into consideration in determination of the structure of a court and the composition of the staff of court officers.

§ 19. Number of Administrative Court judges

The number of judges in each Administrative Court and their division among courthouses are determined by the minister in charge of the policy sector after having heard the opinions of the chief judge of the Administrative Court and the chief judge of the Circuit Court of Appeal in whose judicial district the court is located.

§ 19¹. Permanent place of service of Administrative Court judge

(1) The permanent place of service of an Administrative Court judge is in the courthouse to which they have been appointed by the Supreme Court en banc (subsection 3 of § 55) or by the chief judge of the court (§ 57).

(1¹) Where the appointed chief judge of an Administrative Court is a judge who immediately before the appointment as the judge served in another court, they independently determine the courthouse of their permanent place of service for the duration of the chief judge’s term of office.

(2) A judge may not refuse to hear a case in another courthouse of the same Administrative Court.

(3) Where a judge hears a case in a courthouse which is not their permanent place of service, travel and accommodation expenses, as well as other secondment expenses are reimbursed to them on the conditions and pursuant to the procedure established under subsection 5 of § 44 of the Civil Service Act.

§ 20. Chief judges of Administrative Courts

(1) The chief judge of an Administrative Court is appointed from among the judges of courts of first and second instance for a term of seven years. The provisions of § 12 of this Act apply in other aspects to the chief judge of an Administrative Court.

§ 22. Circuit Courts of Appeal

(1) Circuit Courts of Appeal are the courts of second instance and review the decisions of District and Administrative Courts by way of appeal proceedings.

(2) Court of Appeal for the Circuit of Tallinn and Court of Appeal for the Circuit of Tartu Court are Circuit Courts of Appeal.

(3) Harju District Court and Pärnu District Court and Tallinn Administrative Court are in the judicial district of Court of Appeal for the Circuit of Tallinn.

(4) Tartu District Court and Viru District Court and Tartu Administrative Court are in the judicial district of Court of Appeal for the Circuit of Tartu.

(6) Court of Appeal for the Circuit of Tallinn is located in Tallinn and Court of Appeal for the Circuit of Tartu is located in Tartu. The minister in charge of the policy sector determines the exact location of Circuit Courts of Appeal.

(7) The structure of Circuit Courts of Appeal and the composition of the staff of court officers are determined by the director of court, except in the field related to the performance of the function of administration of justice. In such field, the structure of the court and the composition of the staff of court officers are determined by the chief judge of the court. The provisions of § 43 of this Act are taken into consideration in determination of the structure of a court and the composition of the staff of court officers.

§ 23. Number of Circuit Court judges

The minister in charge of the policy sector determines the number of judges in each Circuit Court of Appeal after having heard the opinion of the chief judge of the Circuit Court of Appeal.

§ 24. Chief judges of Circuit Courts of Appeal

(1) The chief judge of a Circuit Court of Appeal is appointed from among the judges of courts of second instance for a term of seven years. The provisions of § 12 of this Act apply in other aspects to the chief judge of a Circuit Court of Appeal.

(3¹) The chief judge of the Court of Appeal for the Circuit of Tallinn grants their consent at the request of the Chief Public Prosecutor for performance of procedural operations specified in subsection 1 of § 382² of the Code of Criminal Procedure with respect to a member of the Riigikogu before obtaining consent for preparation of a statement of charges.

(3²) The chief judges of Circuit Courts of Appeal decide on referral of a case to another court for judgment pursuant to the procedure provided in § 45¹ of this Act, and on temporary involvement of a judge of a District Court and Circuit Court of Appeal in the composition of an Administrative Court pursuant to the procedure provided in § 45².

(3³) The chief judges of Circuit Courts of Appeal organise the participation of law clerks in the prospective judicial candidates training programme.

(4) The minister in charge of the policy sector may, with the approval of the Supreme Court en banc, release the chief judge of a court from office prematurely:

1) at the request of the chief judge of the court;

2) if the chief judge of the court has wrongfully failed to perform their duties to a material extent;

3) upon their election or appointment as a judge of an international court institution (§ 58⁴) or the European Chief Prosecutor, European Prosecutor or European Delegated Prosecutor of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.

(5) In the event provided in clause 2 of subsection 4 of this section, the minister in charge of the policy sector hears the opinion of the full court.

§ 24¹. Chambers of Circuit Courts of Appeal

(1) A Circuit Court of Appeal has a civil chamber, a criminal chamber and an administrative chamber. Each Circuit Court judge belongs to one of the chambers.

(2) The chief judge of a Circuit Court of Appeal decides on the number of judges to be assigned to each chamber after having heard the opinion of the full court.

(3) The transfer of a judge from one chamber to another is decided by the chief judge of the Circuit Court of Appeal on the basis of the application of the judge, after having heard the opinion of the chairs of the chambers.

§ 24². Chair of chamber of Circuit Court of Appeal

(1) The members of a chamber elect the chair of the chamber from among themselves for a term of five years. The chair may be released prematurely based on the decision of the chamber or at the request of the chair.

(2) The chair of a chamber:

1) supports the administration of justice pursuant to the requirements in their area of responsibility and organises the work of the officers of the chamber;

2) performs the duties assigned to them by the chief judge of the Circuit Court of Appeal and prescribed in the internal rules of the court;

3) organises sectoral cooperation with other courts.

(3) The chief judge of a Circuit Court of Appeal may, by a directive, reduce the work load of the chair of a chamber in the administration of justice to the extent necessary for performing the duties of the chair of the chamber.

§ 25. Supreme Court

(1) The Supreme Court is the highest court in the state.

(2) The Supreme Court is located in Tartu.

(3) The number of justices in the Supreme Court is 19.

§ 26. Jurisdiction of Supreme Court

(1) The Supreme Court reviews decisions by way of cassation proceedings. In the cases and pursuant to the procedure provided by law, the Supreme Court reviews decisions by way of proceedings for review of judicial dispositions that have entered into effector proceedings for the correction of court errors, and performs other duties arising from law.

(2) Acceptance of cases which fall within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is decided by a panel of at least three members of the Supreme Court on the basis provided in the Acts of procedure. A case is accepted if the hearing thereof is demanded by at least one justice of the Supreme Court.

(3) The Supreme Court is also the constitutional review court.

§ 27. Chief Justice of Supreme Court

(1) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is appointed to office for nine years by the Riigikogu on the proposal of the President of the Republic.

(2) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court:

1) directs and represents the Supreme Court;

2) makes a proposal to the Riigikogu to appoint the justices of the Supreme Court to office;

3) exercises oversight prescribed by law;

4) performs other duties arising from law and the internal rules of the court.

(3) Once a year, at the spring session of the Riigikogu, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presents an overview to the Riigikogu concerning administration of courts, administration of justice and uniform application of law.

(4) In the absence of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or upon the termination of their term of authority, a justice of the Supreme Court designated by the Chief Justice performs the duties of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Where the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has not designated an acting Chief Justice, the Chief Justice is substituted by the chair of the Chamber specified in § 28 of this Act who is senior in the office of judge or, where there is equal seniority in office, by the chair of a Chamber who is senior in age. In the absence of the chairs of the Chambers, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is substituted by the justice of the Supreme Court who is senior in the office of judge or, where there is equal seniority in office, by the justice of the Supreme Court who is senior in age.

(5) On the proposal of the President of the Republic, the Riigikogu may release the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court prematurely at the request of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court notifies the President of the Republic of their resignation from office at least four months in advance.

(5¹) The Riigikogu releases the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from service on the proposal of the President of the Republic upon the election or appointment of the Chief Justice as a judge of an international court institution (§ 58⁴) or as the European Chief Prosecutor, European Prosecutor or European Delegated Prosecutor of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.

(6) Where the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is unable to perform their duties for six consecutive months due to illness or for any other reason, the President of the Republic submits a reasoned request to the Supreme Court to declare by a judgment that the Justice of the Supreme Court is unable to perform their duties. A judgment of the Supreme Court en banc releases the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from office.

(7) If the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is released from the office of judge, they are also released from the duties of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

(8) Upon release of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from the duties of the Chief Justice of the Court, they retain the powers of a justice of the Supreme Court.

(9) No one is appointed as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for two consecutive terms.

§ 28. Civil Chamber, Criminal Chamber and Administrative Chamber of Supreme Court

(1) The Supreme Court comprises the Civil Chamber, Criminal Chamber and Administrative Chamber.

(2) Each justice of the Supreme Court is a member of one Chamber. The Supreme Court en banc decides to which Chamber a justice of the Supreme Court belongs, as well as the procedure and terms for rotation between the Chambers.

(3) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has the right to involve, pursuant to the procedure prescribed by the internal rules of the Supreme Court, justices from different Chambers in the panel of the Court which hears a case.

(4) The Supreme Court en banc appoints the chair of a Chamber from among the members of the Chamber for the term of five years.

(5) The chair of a Chamber performs duties arising from the internal rules of the Supreme Court.

§ 29. Constitutional Review Chamber

(1) The Supreme Court comprises the Constitutional Review Chamber which is comprised of nine justices of the Supreme Court.

(2) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is the chair of the Constitutional Review Chamber. Other members of the Chamber are appointed by the Supreme Court en banc.

(3) The term of authority of the members of the Constitutional Review Chamber and the procedure for the substitution of members of the Constitutional Review Chamber are provided in the internal rules of the Supreme Court.

§ 30. Supreme Court en banc

(1) The Supreme Court comprises the Supreme Court en banc which is comprised of all justices of the Supreme Court.

(2) The Supreme Court en banc:

1) reviews judgments on the grounds provided by law;

2) makes a proposal to the President of the Republic to appoint a judge to office or release a judge from office;

3) resolves appeals filed against the decisions of the judgeship examination committee;

4) resolves appeals filed against the decisions of the Disciplinary Chamber;

5) decides on the institution of disciplinary proceedings against the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and notifies the Riigikogu thereof;

6) performs other duties arising from law and the internal rules of the Supreme Court.

(3) The Supreme Court en banc is convened and chaired by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In order to institute disciplinary proceedings against the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, a justice who is senior in office convenes and chairs the Supreme Court en banc, and where there is equal seniority in office, a justice who is senior in age convenes and chairs the Supreme Court en banc.

(4) The Supreme Court en banc has a quorum if at least 11 justices are present. The judgments of the Supreme Court en banc are adopted by the majority vote of the justices of the Supreme Court who are present. Where the votes are divided equally, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court casts the deciding vote.

(5) The minister in charge of the policy sector has the right to participate in the Supreme Court en banc, except in cases where judgments are being reviewed. The minister in charge of the policy sector has the right to speak in the Supreme Court en banc. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may invite to the Supreme Court en banc also other persons to whom the Supreme Court en banc may grant the right to speak.

§ 30¹. Director of Supreme Court

(1) The director of the Supreme Court:

1) organises the clerical business of the Supreme Court and use of the assets of the Supreme Court;

2) is responsible for arrangement of the accounting of the Supreme Court;

3) manages and organises the work of the structural units and officers serving the administration of justice;

4) appoints and releases court officers who are not appointed to office by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court pursuant to the internal rules of the Supreme Court;

5) performs other duties assigned pursuant to the internal rules of the Supreme Court.

(2) The director of the Supreme Court must have higher education. The director is appointed to office for five years by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on the basis of a public competition.

(3) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may release the director of the Supreme Court prematurely also due to failure of co-operation with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in addition to other grounds provided in the Civil Service Act. Where the director of the Supreme Court is released on the basis specified in this subsection, their basic salary is paid to them as compensation for the months falling short of their term of office, but not for more than six months.

§ 31. Supreme Court law clerk

(1) A Supreme Court law clerk is an official of the Supreme Court who generalises judicial practice and participates in the preparation of cases for proceeding.

(2) Specified duties of a Supreme Court law clerk are determined in the internal rules of the Supreme Court.

(3) A person who complies with the educational requirements set for judges may be appointed as a Supreme Court law clerk.

(4) A Supreme Court law clerk is appointed to office for a term of three years. By agreement of the parties, the service relationship of a Supreme Court law clerk may be extended.

(5) Where the service relationship of a Supreme Court law clerk is extended or they are appointed to the same position consecutively more than twice, excluding the case specified in clause 1 of subsection 2 of § 23 of the Civil Service Act, the Supreme Court law clerk is deemed to be appointed to the position for an unspecified term.

(6) Where a Supreme Court law clerk is transferred for a fixed term to an agency located in another local authority, the Supreme Court compensates for their travel and accommodation expenses to the extent and pursuant to the procedure established by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

§ 32. Remuneration for work performed by officers of Supreme Court

The salaries of the court officers of the Supreme Court, the procedure for payment of additional remuneration, bonuses and benefits are determined by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court within the limits of the budget of the Supreme Court.

§ 33. Internal rules of Supreme Court

(1) The organisation of work of the Supreme Court is prescribed in the internal rules of the Supreme Court approved by the Supreme Court en banc.

(2) The internal rules may not include provisions concerning rules of court procedure.

(3) The internal procedure rules of the Supreme Court are established pursuant to the Civil Service Act.

§ 34. Court information system

(1) Court information system is a state agency database founded by the minister in charge of the policy sector the purpose of which is the organisation of the work of courts, collection of statistics, collection and systematisation of court decisions and making these available to courts and the public.

(2) The controller of the database is the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs. The processors of the database are the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs and courts of the Republic of Estonia.

(3) The content of the register data, the procedure for submission of the data and specific procedure for applying for the right of access to the data are established by the minister in charge of the policy sector with the approval of the Council for Administration of Courts.

(4) The right of access to the data in the court information system is vested in:

1) agencies of the State and local authorities and legal or natural persons for performance of the duties provided by law;

2) foreign authorities and persons if this right is provided in an international treaty.

(5) The controller of the court information system, the processors and the data recipients specified in subsection 4 of this section are required to maintain the confidentiality of the data which become known to them in the performance of their duties also after the completion of the duties related to the processing of the data or after the expiry of the service relationship. It is prohibited to disclose the received data to any third parties unless it is prescribed by law. Data recipients are required to use data only for the purpose applied for and comply with the conditions provided in this Act and the Personal Data Protection Act and the conditions arising from restrictions on the use of data established with regard to them when data were transferred to the data recipient, and ensure that the data are not accessible by persons who have no right to process the data.

(6) Data recipients who use data for performing the duties prescribed by law are required to immediately notify the controller and the processor of any inaccurate, questionable or incomplete data discovered.

§ 35. Full court

(1) Every court comprises a full court which is comprised of all the judges of the court.

(2) A full court has a quorum if the majority of the judges are present.

(3) A full court is convened by the chief judge of the court either independently or at the request of at least 2/3 of the judges of the court. The chief judge of the court is the presiding judge of the full court.

(4) The decisions of the full court are adopted by the majority vote of judges who are present. Where the votes are divided equally, the chief judge of the court has the casting vote.

(5) The activities of the Supreme Court en banc are regulated by § 30 of this Act.

§ 36. Jurisdiction of full court

A full court:

1) approves the task distribution plan of judges;

2) provides an opinion to the minister in charge of the policy sector on the appointment to office, and in cases provided by law, also on the release from office of the chief judge of the court;

3) makes recommendations to the chief judge of the court concerning issues related to the organisation of work;

4) performs other duties arising from law and the internal rules of the court.

§ 37. Distribution of tasks among judges

(1) The distribution of tasks among judges of courts of first and second instance is prescribed in the task distribution plan.

(1¹) A chief judge of a court may, by a directive, reduce their work load in the administration of justice to the extent necessary for performing the duties of the chief judge.

(1²) Upon the assumption of office by a judge of a court of first instance, their workload in the administration of justice is 90% in the first six months.

(2) Tasks are distributed among judges in accordance with the following principles:

1) all cases received by the court for hearing are distributed among judges in accordance with the task distribution plan;

2) cases are distributed among judges in a random manner on the grounds determined in the task distribution plan;

3¹) the distribution of cases must ensure the specialisation of judges;

4) the distribution of cases must ensure equal work load of judges within a court;

4¹) the distribution of cases to a chief judge of a court, chair of a chamber and head of a department takes into account the reduced work load in the administration of justice;

(3) The task distribution plan prescribes the procedure for formation of court panels and for the substitution of judges.

(4) The task distribution plan is approved for one calendar year. During a working year, the full court may amend the task distribution plan only with good reason.

(4¹) The Council for Administration of Courts establishes the specific grounds for preparing the task distribution plan of judges, including the principles of specialisation of judges. The task distribution plan must ensure specialisation of judges to cases involving minors and cases relating to insolvency. Courts approve the task distribution plans having regard to this Act and the grounds established by the Council for Administration of Courts.

(5) The task distribution plan is published on the website of the court.

§ 37¹. Employment of judges with partial work load

(1) The chief judge of a court provides a judge with an opportunity to work with partial work load due to:

1) necessity to raise a child under three years of age;

2) partial capacity for work.

(2) The chief judge of a court may permit a judge to work with partial work load for up to one year also in an event not specified in subsection 1 of this section. Said term of one year may be extended for up to one year at a time at the reasoned request of the judge. Before deciding on the reduction of a judge’s work load, the chief judge of the court hears the opinion of the full court.

(3) An application for employment with partial work load is submitted to the chief judge of the court at least two weeks before the requested commencement of employment with partial work load. The reason for and time of employment with partial work load are specified in the application. Documents certifying the facts pertaining to the application are enclosed to the application.

(4) Upon employment with partial work load on the grounds specified in this section, a judge’s salary is reduced in proportion to the work load.

(5) A judge’s employment with partial work load is formalised by a directive of the chief judge of the court. The directive must contain the information on a judge’s work load, the period during which a judge is employed with partial work load and the amount of their salary upon employment with partial work load.

§ 38. Court en banc

(1) The Court en banc is comprised of all judges of Estonia.

(2) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court convenes the Court en banc at least once a year. The extraordinary Court en banc may be convened by the minister in charge of the policy sector or by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

(2¹) The Court en banc may be held also partially or fully by electronic means.

(3) The Court en banc:

1) hears reports by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the minister in charge of the policy sector concerning the development of the legal and court system;

2) discusses problems of administration of justice and other issues concerning courts and the work of judges;

3) elects, pursuant to subsections 1– 4 of § 40¹ of this Act, members of the Judicial Council who are judges;

4) elects five circuit court judges and five judges of courts of first instance to participate in the adjudication of disciplinary cases in the Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court;

5) elects members of the judgeship examination committee who are judges of courts of first and second instance;

7) elects members and alternate members of the training committee who are judges;

8) elects members and alternate members of the Ethics Tribunal and the Admissions and Aptitude Assessment Committee of the Estonian Bar Association, the Prosecutors’ Competition and Disciplinary Committee, the Court of Honour of the Chamber of Notaries and the Methodology Committee of the Chamber of Enforcement Agents and Trustees in Bankruptcy;

9) approves the code of ethics of judges.

(4) The Court en banc is chaired by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court unless the Court en banc decides otherwise.

(4¹) Voting and election by the Court en banc may take place by ballot papers, by electronic means, in writing or in any other manner provided in the procedure of the Court en banc.

(5) The procedure of the Court en banc is established by the majority vote of the judges participating in the Court en banc.

(6) The Supreme Court organises the clerical support to the Court en banc.

(8) Where the term of office of a member of a local government body who is a judge and has been elected by the Court en banc ends due to the expiry of the term before the next Court en banc is held, their term of office is deemed extended until the election of the new member by the Court en banc.

§ 38¹. Competence of chief judge of court to change task distribution plan of court and internal rules of court

The chief judge of a court may, by a directive, change the task distribution plan of the court and internal rules of the court during a state of emergency or state of war where it is ineluctably necessary for ensuring the administration of justice pursuant to the requirements.

§ 38². Instructions of chief judge of court for priority hearing of case

(1) During a state of emergency or state of war, the chief judge of a court may issue instructions to a judge for priority hearing of a case which can be determined on the basis of general elements.

(2) The instructions specified in subsection 1 of this section must not prevent the judge from disposing of the case independently and in accordance with their own conscience.

§ 38⁴. Temporary secondment of judge to composition of another court

(1) During a state of emergency or state of war, the Supreme Court en banc may send a judge of a District Court, Administrative Court or Circuit Court of Appeal, without the consent of the judge, to hear cases in another court of the same or lower instance if it is not possible to ensure the administration of justice pursuant to the requirements in any other manner. The judge retains their powers of administration of justice during the secondment also in the court of their permanent place of service.

(2) Where the Supreme Court en banc does not have a quorum, the decision specified in subsection 1 of this section is made by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

(3) At the end of the state of emergency or state of war, the judge finalises the proceedings of the cases for which the chief judge of the court of the permanent place of service of the judge has ordered finalising the proceedings. The proposal for finalising the proceedings of a case is made by the chief judge of the court to which the judge was sent on secondment.

(4) Upon the secondment of a judge to another court on the basis specified in subsection 1 of this section, the judge’s salary is retained.

(5) Where a judge hears a case in a court in the judicial district in which the judge does not have their permanent place of service, travel and accommodation expenses, as well as other secondment expenses are reimbursed to them on the conditions and pursuant to the procedure established under subsection 5 of § 44 of the Civil Service Act.

§ 38⁵. Special rules for participation of lay judges

Lay judges do not participate in the administration of justice during a state of emergency or state of war. During that time, a judge of the District Court alone administers justice in the District Court.

§ 38⁶. Special rules for court en banc and elected local government bodies

(1) During a state of emergency or state of war, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may decide not to convene the court en banc.

(2) The term of office of a member of a local government body who is a judge and has been elected by the court en banc is extended in accordance with subsection 8 of § 38 of this Act.

(3) If the quorum of a local government body would be lost due to the exclusion of the member elected by the court en banc, a new substitute member who is a judge may be elected by the Supreme Court en banc instead of the court en banc. The term of office of the substitute member is valid until the court en banc elects a new member.

§ 38⁷. Extension of term of office of chief judge of court

Where the term of office of the chief judge of a court ends during a state of emergency or state of war, the minister in charge of the policy sector may extend the term of office of the chief judge, subject to the consent of the chief judge of the court and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The term of authority of the chief judge of the court is valid up to six months after the end of the state of emergency or state of war.

§ 39. Administration of courts

(1) Judicial institutions of first and second instance are administered in co-operation between the Council for Administration of Courts and the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs. Courts perform court administration duties where so provided by law.

(2) The minister in charge of the policy sector may transfer the court administration duties within their competence to a court.

(3) The minister in charge of the policy sector has no right of command or disciplinary power over the judges.

(4) Administration of courts must ensure:

1) possibility for independent administration of justice;

2) working conditions necessary for administration of justice;

3) adequate training of court officers;

4) availability of administration of justice.

§ 40¹. Composition and organisation of work of Judicial Council

(1) The Judicial Council is comprised on:

1) the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court;

2) two Circuit Court judges;

3) three judges of courts of first instance;

4) two members of the Riigikogu;

5) an attorney-at-law appointed by the Board of the Estonian Bar Association;

6) the Chancellor of Justice or a representative appointed by the;

7) the minister in charge of the policy sector or a representative appointed by them.

(2) The members of the Council who are judges, except the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, are elected for three years by the Court en banc. One of the judges of courts of first instance must be a civil judge, one an offence matters judge and one an administrative judge. No more than one judge from any one court may belong to the Council. A chief judge may not belong to the Council.

(3) The term of authority of a member of the Council who is a judge end if they are released from the office of judge, appointed as a chief judge, or if their term of authority as a judge is suspended pursuant to subsection 3 of § 58⁴ of this Act.

(4) The procedure for electing members of the Council who are judges is established by the Court en banc.

(5) Members of the Riigikogu are appointed to the Council by a resolution of the Riigikogu, on the recommendation of the Constitutional Committee. Upon the expiry of the term of authority of the current members of the Riigikogu, a member of the Council who is a member of the Riigikogu remains on the Council until the resolution on appointing the new members of the Riigikogu to the Council enters into force. Appointment to the Council requires the written consent of the person to be appointed.

(6) The chief judges of the courts of first and second instance may participate in the work of the Council with the right to speak.

(7) The Council is led and represented by the chair of the Council, who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The procedure for replacing the chair is laid down in the internal rules of the Council.

(8) The Council has a quorum if more than half of its members are present at a meeting. The Council adopts decisions by a majority of those present. The detailed organisation of work of the Council is set out in the internal rules which are approved by the Council by a majority of two-thirds of its members.

(9) A member of the Council is reimbursed for the expenses incurred in connection with their participation in the work of the Council.

(10) The funds required for the activities of the Council are provided in the budget of the Court Administration Service.

§ 41. Competence of Council for Administration of Courts

(1) The Council grants approval for:

1) determination of the judicial district of courts (subsection 1 of § 10, subsection 3 of § 18);

3) determination of the exact location of courts and courthouses (subsection 3 of § 9; subsection 3 of § 18; subsection 6 of § 22);

4) determination of the number of judges in courts and judges in permanent service in a courthouse (§ 11; § 19; § 23);

5) appointment to office and premature release of chief judges of courts (subsection 1 and clause 2 of subsection 4 of § 12, § 20, subsection 1 and clause 2 of subsection 4 of § 24);

5¹) increase of the maximum age limit of a judge (subsection 2 of § 99¹);

6) determination of the number of lay judges (§14);

11) establishment of the composition of the register data of the court information system and the procedure for submission of the register data (subsection 3 of § 34).

13) determination of the amount of remuneration paid to lay judges and payment procedure (subsection 1 of § 112);

14) determination of the procedure for determining the additional remuneration paid to judges for on-call time and of the number of judges eligible for payment of additional remuneration for on-call time (subsection 8 of § 76).

(2) The Council provides a preliminary opinion on the principles of the formation and amendment of annual budgets of courts.

(3) The Council:

1) provides an opinion on the candidates for a vacant position of a justice of the Supreme Court (subsection 4 of § 55);

2) provides an opinion on the release of a judge (clauses 5–8 of subsection 1 of § 99);

3) deliberates, in advance, the overview to be presented to the Riigikogu by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court concerning administration of courts, administration of justice and uniform application of law (subsection 3 of § 27);

4) discusses other issues at the initiative of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or the minister in charge of the policy sector.

(4) The Council establishes the grounds for preparing the task distribution plan of judges.

§ 42. Internal rules of courts

(1) The internal organisation of work of courts of first and second instance is prescribed in the internal rules of the courts. The internal rules of a court are established by the chief judge of the court with the approval of the full court. The internal rules of land registry departments and registration departments of District Courts, and offices of District Courts, Administrative Courts and Circuit Courts of Appeal are established by the minister in charge of the policy sector.

(2) The internal rules of the court set out the duties of the chief judge of the court, chairs of chambers, heads of departments and other judges arising from the organisation of work of the court and the duties of court officers subordinate to the chief judge of the court.

(2¹) The duties of court officers, the clerical business rules of the court and other issues concerning the organisation of work of the court are prescribed in the internal rules of the court office.

(3) The internal rules may not include provisions concerning rules of court procedure.

(4) The internal procedure rules and job descriptions of judicial institutions are established pursuant to the Civil Service Act.

§ 43. Budget of court

(1) The minister in charge of the policy sector approves the budgets of courts of first and second instance within two months after the state budget enters into force as an Act, considering the opinion formulated by the Council for Administration of Courts (subsection 2 of § 41).

(2) The budget of a court sets out the expenditure for the performance of the function of administration of justice separately from the expenditure of the land registry department, registration department, order for payment department, guardianship supervision department, and centralised support services.

(3) During a budgetary year, the minister in charge of the policy sector may amend the budget expenditure of a court only with good reason after having heard the opinion of the chief judge of the court and the director of the court and pursuant to the principles formulated by the Council for Administration of Courts.

(4) The budget of the Supreme Court is passed pursuant to the procedure provided in the State Budget Act.

§ 44. Training of judges

(1) The Training Council is responsible for the training of judges. The term of authority of members of the Training Council is three years. The Training Council is comprised of two judges of a court of first instance, two judges of a court of second instance, two justices of the Supreme Court, and a representative of the Prosecutor’s Office, a representative of the minister in charge of the policy sector and a representative of the University of Tartu. The Training Council approves its rules of procedure and elects the chair. Support services to the Training Council are provided by the Supreme Court.

(2) Training of judges is based on the strategies for training of judges, annual training programs and the program for judgeship examination. The strategies for the training of judges, training programs and the program for judgeship examination are prepared by the Supreme Court and approved by the Training Council. The Supreme Court submits the training program for the next year to the Training Council not later than by 15 August. Taking into consideration the training needs of judges and the state budget funds allocated for the training of judges, the Training Council approves the training program not later than by 1 October. The instructional and methodological materials necessary for the training of judges are prepared and the agreements with the trainers are entered into by the Supreme Court.

(3) The strategy for the training of judges and the training programs are prepared based on the training needs of judges and the analysis of the training results. The training needs of judges are determined and the training results are analysed by the Supreme Court. The methodology for determining the training needs of judges and analysing the training results is developed by the Supreme Court and approved by the Training Council. The Training Council provides an assessment of the training results of judges on the basis of the annual overview submitted by the Supreme Court.

(4) The Supreme Court may, by an administrative contract, authorise another person or agency to partially or completely fulfil the duties imposed on the Supreme Court in this section if the Training Council has previously approved it.

(5) The Training Council annually determines a part of the training program, the completion of which is mandatory for judges.

(6) Judges participate in training on the basis of an annual training plan. The full court of a court approves the training plan for the court. Records of participation in training are kept concerning each judge in a court pursuant to the internal rules of the court. The chief judge of a court monitors compliance with the training plan.

(7) The necessary funds for the specific purpose of preparation of the training program of judges and organisation of training are allocated in the budget of the Supreme Court.

§ 45. Oversight and regulatory enforcement

(1) Oversight over the administration of justice pursuant to the requirements, over the performance of duties by judges and over the forwarding of the data of the court information system pursuant to the established procedure is exercised by the chief judge of the court. Oversight over a judge who has been sent on a temporary secondment to the composition of another court pursuant to § 38⁴ of this Act, who hears a case referred to another court for judgment pursuant to the procedure provided in § 45¹ of this Act, who has been temporarily involved in the composition of an Administrative Court pursuant to the procedure provided in § 45², or who is on procedural secondment pursuant to the procedure provided in § 58³ is exercised by the chief judge of the court where the judge is in permanent service. The chief judge of the court has the right to demand explanations from judges, inspect compliance with the clerical business rules and collect other necessary information. The head of a department may, on the order of the chief judge of a court of first instance or on their own initiative, demand explanations from the judges and other officers of the department, and collect other necessary information to ensure the administration of justice pursuant to the requirements. The chief judges of Circuit Courts of Appeal also exercise oversight over judges of the courts of first instance.

(1¹) Where a judge fails to perform a necessary procedural operation without good reason, among other things fails to schedule a trial or hearing in due time to ensure the conduct of judicial proceedings within a reasonable period of time, or where it is evident that the time planned by the judge for performing the procedural operation or other organisation of proceedings does not ensure the conduct of proceedings within a reasonable period of time, the chief judge of the court decides on the implementation of such measure to organise the administration of justice, which will presumably enable to finalise the proceedings within a reasonable period of time. The chief judge of the court may, among other things:

1) establish a reasonable time limit for the judge to perform the procedural operation or finalise the proceedings depending on the circumstances;

2) provide the judge with other organisational guidelines for conducting the proceedings and organising the work and working time;

3) redistribute the court cases among the judges taking account of the task distribution plan;

4) in an exceptional case, also deviate from the task distribution plan in the distribution of work, primarily taking into account the peculiarities of the case, the specialisation of the judge and different work load of the judges.

(2) The minister in charge of the policy sector exercises regulatory enforcement over the performance of the duties by the chief judges of courts of first and second instance. The minister in charge of the policy sector may demand explanations from the chief judge of a court concerning the administration of justice in the court pursuant to the requirements.

(3) Oversight in the area of activity of land registry departments, registration departments and order for payment departments is exercised by the directors of court. Oversight over assistant judges of civil departments, offences departments and guardianship supervision departments is exercised by the chief judges of the courts.

§ 45¹. Referral of case to another court for judgment without changing jurisdiction

(1) At the request of the chief judge of a District Court or Administrative Court, the chief judges of Circuit Courts of Appeal may, by their joint decision, refer a case which can be determined on the basis of general elements to another court of the same instance for judgment where this is required for administration of justice pursuant to the requirements, in particular where it is evident that it is not possible to ensure administration of justice pursuant to the requirements in the court the chief judge of which filed the request, by the measures provided in subsection 1¹ of § 45 of this Act. Referral of a case from a District Court is allowed only to another District Court and from an Administrative Court only to another Administrative Court. The distribution of cases referred to another court for judgment takes place in accordance with the task distribution plan of the other court, on a random basis.

(2) The jurisdiction of a case or the location of hearing a case does not change upon referral of the case to another court for judgment. Where a judge of the other court hears a case referred to such other court for judgment in the name of the court that has jurisdiction outside the judicial district of the court which is the judge’s permanent place of service, travel and accommodation expenses, as well as other secondment expenses are reimbursed to them on the conditions and pursuant to the procedure established under subsection 5 of § 44 of the Civil Service Act.

(3) The Council for Administration of Courts may establish specified principles for referral of cases to another court for judgment.

§ 45². Temporary involvement of judge of District Court and Circuit Court of Appeal in composition of Administrative Court

(1) On the basis of information received pursuant to subsection 4 of § 23³ of the Obligation to Leave and Prohibition on Entry Act or subsections 2 of § 72 or 6 or § 73 of the Act on Granting International Protection to Foreign Nationals, the chief judges of Circuit Courts of Appeal may, by their joint decision, temporarily send a judge of a District Court or Circuit Court of Appeal without their consent to an Administrative Court for review of the applications for detention of foreign nationals where this is required for administration of justice pursuant to the requirements.

(1¹) During a state of emergency or state of war, a judge is involved in an Administrative Court in accordance with the procedure provided in § 38⁴ of this Act.

(2) Where a judge who has been temporarily involved in the composition of an Administrative Court hears a case outside the judicial district of the court which is their permanent place of service, travel and accommodation expenses, as well as other secondment expenses are reimbursed to them on the conditions and pursuant to the procedure established under subsection 5 of § 44 of the Civil Service Act.

(3) The Council for Administration of Courts may establish specified principles for temporary involvement of a judge of a District Court and Circuit Court of Appeal in the composition of an Administrative Court.

§ 45³. Continuation of proceedings of cases upon transfer of judge to another court

(1) Where a judge is transferred to serve as a judge of another District Court or Administrative Court or Circuit Court of Appeal of the same instance, they must finalise the proceedings of the cases for which the chief judge of the court to which they have been transferred has ordered finalising the hearing. The proposal for finalising the proceedings of a case is made by the chief judge of the court from which the judge was transferred. The jurisdiction of a case or the location of hearing a case does not change.

(2) In order to deal with the proceedings of the cases provided in subsection 1 of this section, the workload of a judge may be reduced to the necessary extent by the chief of the court to which the judge has been transferred.

§ 46. Reporting of courts

Courts of first and second instance submit a statistical report on cases to the minister in charge of the policy sector. The minister in charge of the policy sector approves the standard form for the report and the due date for submission thereof.

§ 47. Requirements for judges

(1) A citizen of the Republic of Estonia may be appointed a judge if they:

1) have acquired at least an officially certified Master’s degree, a corresponding qualification for the purposes of subsection 2² of § 28 of the Republic of Estonia Education Act or a corresponding foreign qualification, in the field of law;

2) has proficiency in the Estonian language at the level C1 provided in the Language Act or a corresponding level;

3) is of high moral character;

4) has the abilities and personal characteristics necessary for working as a judge.

(2) The following may not be appointed as a judge:

1) persons who have been convicted of a criminal offence;

2) persons who have been removed from the office of judge, notary or enforcement agent;

3) persons who have been disbarred;

4) persons who have been released from the civil service due to a disciplinary offence;

5) persons who are bankrupt;

6) persons whose professional practice as an auditor has been terminated except termination on the basis of the application of an auditor;

7) persons who have been deprived of the profession of a patent attorney, except deprivation of profession on the basis of the application of a patent attorney.

8) who have been deprived of the profession of a sworn translator on the basis of clause 3 of subsection 3 of § 28 of the Sworn Translators Act.

§ 48. Judge’s age

The maximum age limit of a judge is 67 years, unless otherwise provided in this Act.

§ 49. Restrictions on holding office of judge

(1) Judges may not be employed elsewhere than in the office of judge, except in teaching or research. A judge may perform also other duties set out in the Courts Act. A judge must notify the chief judge of the court about their employment elsewhere than in the office of judge. Employment elsewhere than in the office of judge may not harm the performance of official duties of a judge or the independence of a judge upon administration of justice.

(2) A judge may not be:

1) a member of the Riigikogu or member of a rural municipality or city council;

2) a member of a political party;

3) a founder, managing partner, member of the management board or supervisory board of a company, or director of a branch of a foreign company;

4) a trustee in bankruptcy, member of a bankruptcy committee or compulsory administrator of immovable;

5) an arbitrator chosen by the parties to a dispute.

§ 50. Judge of court of first instance

(1) The following person may be appointed a judge of a District or Administrative Court (District Court judge or Administrative Court judge):

1) who has, after having acquired the qualification specified in clause 1 of subsection 1 of § 47 of this Act, at least five years of law work experience or who has worked as a Supreme Court law clerk or law clerk for at least three years, and

2) who has passed the judgeship examination or who has been exempted therefrom.

(2) The compliance of a judicial candidate with the requirements specified in subsection 1 of this section is evaluated by the judgeship examination committee.

§ 51. Judge of Circuit Court of Appeal

(1) The following person may be appointed a judge of a Circuit Court of Appeal (Circuit Court judge):

1) who is an experienced and recognised lawyer, and

2) who has passed a judgeship examination or who has been exempted therefrom.

(2) The compliance of the judicial candidate with the requirements specified in subsection 1 of this section is evaluated by the judgeship examination committee.

§ 52. Justice of Supreme Court

A person who is an experienced and recognised lawyer may be appointed a justice of the Supreme Court (Supreme Court justice).

§ 53. Public competition

(1) Judges are appointed to office on the basis of a public competition.

(2) The minister in charge of the policy sector announces a public competition for a vacant position of judge of an Administrative Court, the civil or offences department of a District Court, and the administrative, criminal or civil chamber of a Circuit Court of Appeal. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court announces a public competition for a vacant position of justice of the Supreme Court.

(3) A competition for a vacant position of judge is announced in the official publication Ametlikud Teadaanded. An application is submitted to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court within one month after the publication of the notice concerning the competition.

(3¹) The notice concerning the competition referred to in subsection 3 of this section states also the permanent place of service.

(4) Where the vacant position of judge is filled pursuant to the procedure provided in § 57 or § 58 of this Act, a competition is not announced.

§ 54. Assessment of suitability of personal characteristics of judicial candidates

(1) The suitability of the personal characteristics of a judicial candidate is evaluated by the judgeship examination committee. In the evaluation of the personal characteristics of a judicial candidate, the judgeship examination committee takes into account the information which is important for the performance of the duties of a judge, and may make inquiries.

(1¹) The forms and procedure for the evaluation of the personal characteristics are provided in the rules of procedure of the judgeship examination committee.

(2) A judicial candidate has to pass a security vetting before being appointed as judge, unless they hold a valid security clearance for access to state secrets classified as ‘top secret’ or unless at the time of becoming a candidate they hold a position which provides the right of access to any level of state secret by virtue of office.

(3) To pass the security vetting, a judicial candidate completes the form to apply for a security clearance to state secrets and signs the consent which permits the agency which performs security vettings to obtain information concerning the person from natural and legal persons and agencies and bodies of the State and of local authorities during the performance of the security vetting, and submits these through the judgeship examination committee to the Estonian Internal Security Service.

(4) The Estonian Internal Security Service performs the security vetting of a judicial candidate pursuant to the procedure prescribed in the Security Authorities Act.

(5) The Estonian Internal Security Service presents, within three months after receipt of the documents specified in subsection 3 of this section, the data collected as a result of the security vetting to the judgeship examination committee and provides an opinion on whether a person who submitted the application meets the conditions for the issue of a personnel security clearance.

(6) Relying on the data collected in the course of the security vetting, a judicial candidate may be appointed a judge within three years after the time when the Estonian Internal Security Service forwarded the data collected in the course of the security vetting to the judgeship examination committee. A person may be appointed a judge later than the above term after passing a new security vetting.

(6¹) The examination committee may apply for:

1) specification and modification of the data collected in the course of the security vetting;

2) verification of the existence of individual circumstances specified in § 32 of the State Secrets and Classified Information of Foreign States Act within the term specified in subsection 6 of this section.

(6²) To specify and modify the information specified in subsection 6¹ of this section and verify the existence of circumstances specified in § 32 of the State Secrets and Classified Information of Foreign States Act, a judicial candidate signs the consent specified in subsection 3 of this section.

(7) The judgeship examination committee forwards its decision and the documents specified in subsections 3 and 5 of this section to the Supreme Court en banc and notifies the examinee about the decision.

§ 55. Appointment of judge

(1) Judges of courts of first and second instance are appointed by the President of the Republic on the proposal of the Supreme Court en banc. The Supreme Court en banc first hears the opinion of the full court of the court to which the person stands as a candidate.

(2) Where several persons stand as candidates for a vacant position of judge, the Supreme Court en banc decides on who to propose to the President of the Republic to be appointed to the office of judge. The judgment of the Supreme Court en banc is communicated to the candidate.

(3) Judges of courts of first and second instance appointed to office by the President of the Republic are appointed to court service by the Supreme Court en banc. Upon appointing a judge of a court of first instance to service the Supreme Court en banc determines also the courthouse which will be the permanent place of service of the judge.

(3¹) A judge in the service of a court of first instance is transferred to the position of a judge of a court of second instance by a resolution of the Supreme Court en banc. The term of authority of a judge in a court of second instance commences from the date specified in a resolution of the Supreme Court en banc.

(4) Justices of the Supreme Court are appointed to office by the Riigikogu on the proposal of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court first hears the opinion of the Supreme Court en banc and the Council for Administration of Courts concerning a candidate.

(5) Upon the appointment of a judge of a court of first instance as a judge of a court of second instance, they are paid no compensation for unexpired unused annual holiday, and the calculation of the holiday continues in the court of second instance.

§ 56. Judge’s oath of office

(1) Upon appointment to office, a judge takes the following oath:

“I swear to remain faithful to the Republic of Estonia and its constitutional order. I swear to administer justice according to my conscience and in conformity with the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Estonia.”

(2) The justices of the Supreme Court take the oath before the Riigikogu, and other judges take the oath before the President of the Republic.

(3) The text of the judge’s oath of office is maintained in the personal file of the judge at the Supreme Court.

§ 57. Transfer of judges

(1) The Supreme Court en banc may appoint a judge to the office of judge to another court of the same or a lower instance with the consent of the judge and on the proposal of the minister in charge of the policy sector. The chief judge of a court may appoint a judge of the court of first instance with their consent to permanent service in another courthouse after having heard the opinion of the full court.

(1¹) Where a vacant position of the chief judge of a court is filled pursuant to the procedure provided in §§ 12, 20 and 24 of this Act, subsection 1 of this section does not apply. The transfer of a judge is documented by a decree of the minister in charge of the policy sector.

(3) Upon the transfer of a judge to another court of the same or a lower instance, except the transfer of a justice of the Supreme Court to a court of a lower instance, they are paid no compensation for unexpired unused annual holiday, and the calculation of the holiday continues in the court where the judge is transferred.

§ 58². Secondment of judge

Upon secondment of a judge, § 44 of the Civil Service Act applies insofar as this is not regulated by the provisions of this Act.

§ 58³. Procedural secondment of judge

(1) The chief judge of a court may send a judge, subject to their consent and at the request of the chief judge of another court, to hear a case in another court of the same or lower instance if this is required for administration of justice pursuant to the requirements. The judge retains their powers of administration of justice during the secondment also in the court in the judicial district of which the judge has their permanent place of service.

(2) Where a judge hears a case in a court in the judicial district the judge does not have their permanent place of service, travel and accommodation expenses, as well as other secondment expenses are reimbursed to them on the conditions and pursuant to the procedure established under subsection 5 of § 44 of the Civil Service Act.

§ 58⁴. Judge working outside court

(1) A judge may be transferred for a specified term, at their request and with the consent of the chief judge of the court, to perform legal work at a state authority or to the position of a member of the teaching staff of the department of law at a university in public law. A judge may be appointed the Chief Public Prosecutor, the Chancellor of Justice or the Auditor General.

(2) With the consent of the chief judge of the court, a judge may, for a specified term, perform legal work at an international organisation or as a member of the teaching staff of the department of law at a university in public law of a Member State of the European Union. A judge may be elected or appointed to a position at an international court institution or to the position of the European Chief Prosecutor, European Prosecutor or European Delegated Prosecutor of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.

(3) While working outside court in accordance with the procedure provided in subsections 1 and 2 of this section, the powers of the judge are suspended, but other guarantees of the judge are preserved.

(4) Upon the transfer of a judge to a position specified in subsection 1 of this section, the judge’s salary is retained. Where the salary payable for the work specified in subsection 1 of this section is higher than the judge’s salary, the judge is paid the higher salary.

(5) A judge may return to the civil department or offences department of a District Court, to an Administrative Court or to a chamber of a Circuit Court of Appeal or of the Supreme Court during or upon expiry of the term of working outside court, by giving at least two months’ advance notice thereof to the chief judge of the corresponding court.

(6) After the return of a judge, the number of judges of the respective court may temporarily, until a position of judge becomes vacant at an Administrative Court or at a department or chamber specified in subsection 5 of this section, be higher than the number specified pursuant to §§ 11, 19 and 23 and in subsection 3 of § 25 of this Act.

§ 59. Service record of judge

(1) A service record is maintained with regard to a judge which sets out:

1) the name and personal identification code of the judge;

2) their date and place of birth;

5) information concerning their education in law and academic degree;

6) the date on which they took the oath of office;

7) their career;

9) decisions of the Disciplinary Chamber and date of deletion of a sanction.

(2) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court organises the maintenance of service records of judges.

(4) A copy of their service record is given to a judge who is leaving the service, at their request.

§ 60. Personal file of judge

(1) A personal file is maintained with regard to a judge which contains:

1) a copy of the document certifying education in law and an academic degree;

2) the decision of the judgeship examination committee;

3) a copy of the identity card;

4) the decision on appointment as a judge;

5) decisions of the Disciplinary Chamber;

6) the decision on the release or removal of judge from office.

(2) Other documents which reflect the professional activity of the judge may be added to the personal file.

(3) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court organises the maintenance of the personal files of judges.

§ 61

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§ 66. Judgeship examination

(1) The judgeship examination evaluates the legal knowledge of a judicial candidate and the ability to use it.

(2) The judgeship examination consists of a written and oral part.

(3) The judgeship examination is organised as necessary but at least once a year. The judgeship examination committee determines the time and place of the judgeship examination.

(4) More specific organisation of the judgeship examination is stipulated in the rules of procedure of the judgeship examination committee.

(5) The result of a judgeship examination is valid for five years after it was passed.

(6) A person who has worked for at least three years as an attorney-at-law or prosecutor, excluding an assistant prosecutor, and stands as a judicial candidate within three years after the end of their practice of an attorney-at-law or prosecutor is exempted from passing a judgeship examination. The judgeship examination committee may exempt from the judgeship examination also a person who has worked in another office or position, if the complexity and responsibility of the office or position correspond to the complexity and responsibility of judicial office.

§ 67. Re-examination

(1) If a judicial candidate does not pass a judgeship examination, they may retake the examination after six months have passed since the judgeship examination that was failed.

(2) A judgeship examination may be taken for a third time or more after three years have passed since the last judgeship examination that was failed.

§ 69. Judgeship examination committee

(1) The judgeship examination committee has 16 members and is formed for three years.

(2) The judgeship examination committee is comprised of four judges of a court of first instance and four judges of a court of second instance elected by the Court en banc, four justices of the Supreme Court elected by the Supreme Court en banc, a jurist designated by the council of the Law Faculty of the University of Tartu, a representative of the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs designated by the minister in charge of the policy sector, an attorney-at-law designated by the Board of the Bar Association and the State Prosecutor designated by the Chief Public Prosecutor. The judgeship examination committee elects the chair of the judgeship examination committee from among its members.

(3) In order to resolve issues within the competence of the judgeship examination committee, the chair of the committee forms committee panels comprising at least five members, and at least three of the members must be judges. The principles of formation of the panels are established in the rules of procedure of the judgeship examination committee.

(3¹) A person affected by a decision of the judgeship examination committee may file an appeal against the decision with the Supreme Court en banc within 14 days after the day when they received the decision.

(4) The judgeship examination committee approves the rules of procedure of the judgeship examination committee.

(5) The Supreme Court organises the clerical support to the judgeship examination committee.

§ 70. General duties

(1) A judge must perform their official duties in an impartial manner and without self-interest and comply with the interests of the service also outside the service.

(2) A judge must behave impeccably in the service and outside the service and refrain from acts which may harm the reputation of court.

(3) Judges must follow §§ 55 and 56, subsection 1 of § 58 and § 59 of the Civil Service Act in the performance of their service duties.

§ 71. Duty of confidentiality

(1) A judge may not disclose information which becomes known to them at a trial or hearing declared closed to the public.

(2) A judge may disclose facts to which the duty of confidentiality applies in judicial proceedings or pre-trial proceedings in criminal cases only with the permission of the Supreme Court en banc.

(3) In order to obtain the permission specified in subsection 2 of this section, the court or investigative body conducting the proceedings or a judge bound by the duty of confidentiality may address the Supreme Court en banc.

(4) The duty of confidentiality applies for an unspecified term and remains in force also after termination of the service relationship.

§ 72. Duty of confidentiality of deliberations

(1) A judge may not disclose discussions which take place at the time the decision is made.

(2) The duty of confidentiality of deliberations applies for an unspecified term and remains in force also after termination of the service relationship.

§ 73. Duty to supervise

(1) A judge must supervise judges of courts of first instance with less than three years’ length of service and persons completing the preparatory service plan of an assistant judge. The chief judge of a court appoints a judge’s supervisor for one year upon assumption of office by the judge. A judge may not have more than two supervised judges at the same time.

(2) A judge supervising a judge with less than three years’ length of service submits a report regarding the supervised judge, assessing their suitability for the office of judge and development of their skills of managing procedures, and, where necessary, provides other information to the chief judge of the court once a quarter until the expiry of the term of supervision.

(3) The judgeship examination committee establishes the form of the report specified in subsection 2 of this section.

§ 74. Professional development

(1) A judge is required to develop their professional knowledge and skills on a regular basis, and participate in training.

(2) A judge of a court of first or second instance who assumes office is required to undergo the professional skills training program approved by the Training Council at the time determined by the Training Council.

§ 75. Judge’s salary

(1) A judge’s salary is provided by the Salaries of Higher State Servants Act.

(2) The salary of a judge of a court of first instance with less than three years’ length of service during the first six months after the assumption of the office is 90% of the salary determined by the Salaries of Higher State Servants Act.

(3) The salary and additional remuneration of a judge, the chair of a chamber and the head of a department are paid on the basis of a directive of the chief judge of a court. The salary and additional remuneration of the chief judge of a court are paid are paid on the basis of a decree of the minister in charge of the policy sector or an official authorised by the minister in charge of the policy sector.

§ 76. Additional remuneration of judges

(1) The chief judge of a court of first instance or court of second instance receives additional remuneration for the performance of the duties of chief judge of the court in the amount of:

1) 25% of their salary where the number of judges in the court is up to 29;

2) 35% of their salary where the number of judges in the court is from 30 to 44;

3) 45% of their salary where the number of judges in the court is higher than 44;

(1¹) The chief judge of Viru District Court is paid additional remuneration at double rate provided in subsection 1 of this section.

(2) The chair of a chamber of the Supreme Court or a Circuit Court of Appeal receives additional remuneration for the performance of the duties of chair of the chamber in the amount of 15% of their salary.

(3²) The chief judge of a court determines additional remuneration for the head of a civil department, offences department and guardianship supervision department of a District Court in the amount of 15% of their salary.

(4) Judges supervising judges and assistant judges during their probationary period receive additional remuneration equal to 5% of their salary for each supervised judge or assistant judge during supervision.

(5) Additional remuneration is paid to a judge who performs the duties related to Estonian presidency of the Council of the European Union during the period of Estonian presidency of the Council of the European Union.

(6) A judge who performs official duties at an international institution or who participates as an expert in an international program of co-operation or in any other form of international co-operation is entitled to receive remuneration therefor.

(7) A judge of a court of first instance is paid additional remuneration for on-call time during public holidays and weekends. The on-call time is deemed to cover the entire length of the on-call time in hours. The amount of the additional remuneration for one hour of the on-call time is 10% of the remuneration for one working hour of the judge.

(8) The procedure for determination of the additional remuneration payable for on-call time and the number of judges eligible for payment of the additional remuneration for on-call time are established by a regulation of the minister in charge of the policy sector with the approval of the Council for Administration of Courts.

§ 76¹. Representation expenses of Chief Justice of Supreme Court

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is paid 20% of their salary on a monthly basis for representation expenses.

§ 77

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§ 82. Change in amount of pension

(1) A judge’s pension is recalculated upon a change in the amount of the salary payable for the position according to which the judge’s pension has been calculated.

(2) In the event specified in subsection 1 of this section, a pension is recalculated from the date on which the amount of the salary of a judge changes.

§ 83. Compensation upon death and decrease in capacity for work of judge

If a judge is killed or dies or a judge’s capacity for work decreases in connection with the performance of the judge’s duties, the state pays a benefit on the basis and pursuant to the procedure of § 49 of the Civil Service Act.

§ 84. Judge’s holiday

(1) Judges have the right to receive an annual holiday.

(2) A judge’s annual holiday is 35 calendar days. A judge is granted an additional holiday up to seven calendar days in total for the time of their service as a judge as follows:

1) two calendar days when their length of service as a judge has lasted five years;

2) four calendar days when their length of service as a judge has lasted 10 years;

3) seven calendar days when their length of service as a judge has lasted 15 years;

(2¹) The provisions of §§ 68–71 of the Employment Contracts Act concerning annual holidays apply with regard to an additional holiday provided in subsection 2 of this section.

(4) The chief judge of a court approves the holiday schedule of judges.

(5) An extraordinary holiday for up to one year without pay may be granted to a judge by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court with the consent of the full court of the court where the judge is employed.

(6) Subsections 1, 3 and 4 of § 43 and § 48 of the Civil Service Act apply insofar as this is not regulated by this section.

§ 85. Official attire of judge

(1) Judges wear judicial robes as official attire at trials or hearings.

(2) The state provides the judicial robes to judges without charge.

(3) The minister in charge of the policy sector approves the description of the judicial robes.

§ 86. Other social guarantees

(1) A judge who is released from office due to liquidation of a court or closure of a courthouse or reduction of the number of judges is paid compensation in the amount of six months’ salary of their last position.

(2) Compensation is not paid to the chief judge of a court who after being released from the position of chief judge of the court resumes work as a judge.

(3) Where a judge of a higher court is appointed, due to liquidation of the court or reduction of the number of judges, as a judge of a lower court with their consent, they retain the salary of the previous position together with additional remuneration during one year.

§ 87. Grounds for imposing disciplinary sanctions

(1) A disciplinary sanction may be imposed on a judge for a disciplinary offence.

(2) A disciplinary offence is a wrongful act of a judge which consists in failure to perform or inappropriate performance of official duties. An indecent act of a judge is also a disciplinary offence.

§ 88. Disciplinary penalties

(1) The following are disciplinary penalties:

1) a reprimand;

2) a fine in an amount of up to one month’s salary;

3) a reduction in salary;

4) removal from office.

(2) Where a retired judge does not comply with the duty of confidentiality or the duty of confidentiality of deliberations, their judge’s pension may be reduced by up to 25% as a disciplinary sanction. The pension may not be reduced for longer than one year.

(3) Only one disciplinary sanction may be imposed on a judge for one and the same offence. A criminal sanction or a sanction for a misdemeanour imposed for the same act does not preclude the imposition of a disciplinary sanction.

(4) Upon imposition of a disciplinary sanction, the nature, gravity and consequences of the disciplinary offence, also the personal characteristics of the judge and other circumstances related to the offence must be considered.

(5) A disciplinary sanction imposed on a judge is entered in their service record.

(6) A disciplinary sanction expires if the judge does not commit a new disciplinary offence within one year after the entry into force of the decision of the Disciplinary Chamber. The Disciplinary Chamber may also cancel a disciplinary sanction before the prescribed time.

§ 89. Reduction of salary

As a disciplinary sanction, a judge’s salary may be reduced by up to 30%. The salary may not be reduced for longer than one year.

§ 90. Expiry of disciplinary offence

(1) Disciplinary proceedings are not commenced in case two years have passed from the commission of the disciplinary offence or six months have passed from the discovery thereof.

(2) The term provided in subsection 1 of this section is suspended:

1) until the termination of criminal proceedings commenced against an act of a judge;

2) during the time that the judge is temporarily incapacitated for work and during the holiday of the judge.

§ 91. Institution of disciplinary proceedings

(1) Disciplinary proceedings are instituted when elements of a disciplinary offence become evident. Disciplinary proceedings are instituted by preparation of disciplinary charges.

(2) The following have the right to institute disciplinary proceedings:

1) the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, against all judges;

2) the Chancellor of Justice, against all judges;

3) the chief judge of a Circuit Court of Appeal, against judges of courts of first instance, in their judicial district.

4) the chief judge of a court, against the judges of the same court;

5) the Supreme Court en banc against the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

(3) A person instituting disciplinary proceedings may collect evidence and demand explanations which are necessary to adjudicate the disciplinary case.

§ 92. Disciplinary charges

(1) Disciplinary charges means a written document which sets out:

1) the name and position of the accused;

2) the description and time of commission of the offence;

3) the evidence proving commission of the offence;

4) the name of the person instituting the disciplinary proceedings, and the date and place of the preparation of the charges.

(2) The person instituting disciplinary proceedings forwards the disciplinary charges and the related material to the Disciplinary Chamber which immediately notifies the judge against whom the disciplinary proceedings are commenced thereof.

(3) A judge against whom disciplinary proceedings are commenced is served the disciplinary charges at least 10 days before the hearing of the Disciplinary Chamber. The judge or their representative has the right to examine the materials of the disciplinary case.

§ 93. Disciplinary Chamber

(1) For the adjudication of disciplinary cases of judges, the Supreme Court comprises the Disciplinary Chamber which is comprised of five justices of the Supreme Court, five Circuit Court judges and five judges of courts of first instance.

(2) The Supreme Court en banc appoints, for the term of three years, the chair of the Disciplinary Chamber and other members of the Disciplinary Chamber who are justices of the Supreme Court.

(3) The internal rules of the Supreme Court prescribe the procedure for the substitution of members of the Disciplinary Chamber who are justices of the Supreme Court.

(4) Pursuant to the internal rules, the Supreme Court involves judges of courts of first and second instance elected on the basis of clause 4 of subsection 3 of § 38 of this Act in the adjudication of disciplinary cases.

(5) For the adjudication of a disciplinary case of a judge, the chair of the Disciplinary Chamber forms a five-member panel consisting of three members of the Disciplinary Chamber who are justices of the Supreme Court, one Circuit Court judge and one judge of a court of first instance.

§ 94. Hearing of disciplinary case

(1) The Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court hears cases of disciplinary offences of judges and imposes disciplinary sanctions on judges.

(2) A five-member panel of the Disciplinary Chamber hears a disciplinary case at a hearing.

(3) Upon hearing of a disciplinary case, the chair of the Disciplinary Chamber is the presiding judge. In case the chair of the Disciplinary Chamber does not participate in the hearing of a case, they appoint a member of the Chamber as the presiding judge.

§ 95. Temporary removal from service

(1) The Disciplinary Chamber may remove a judge from service for the duration of hearing of a disciplinary case by an order of which the Chamber immediately notifies the judge and the chief judge of the court. Upon deciding the removal from service, the Chamber considers the nature and gravity of the disciplinary offence of which a judge is accused.

(2) Where circumstances related to a judge exist which significantly harm the reputation of the court, the Disciplinary Chamber may temporarily remove the judge from service until the institution of disciplinary proceedings is decided. Where it appears that no grounds exist for the institution of disciplinary proceedings against the judge, the judge may resume service on the decision of the Disciplinary Chamber.

(3) The Disciplinary Chamber may decide on the removal of a judge from service without holding a hearing.

(4) Where the Disciplinary Chamber removes a judge from service for the duration of hearing of a disciplinary case, the Chamber may reduce the judge’s salary for the same period. The salary may not be reduced by more than a half.

(5) The chief judge of a court may assign duties other than the administration of justice to a judge who is temporarily removed from service.

(6) A judge may file an appeal to the Supreme Court en banc against an order by which the judge is temporarily removed from service or their salary is reduced within 10 days after the judge becomes aware of the order.

§ 96. Hearing of Disciplinary Chamber

(1) The judge whose disciplinary offence is being heard is summoned to the hearing of the Disciplinary Chamber. The judge may have a representative. Where necessary, witnesses and other persons may be summoned to the hearing.

(2) At the hearing of the Disciplinary Chamber, the presiding judge makes a report on the case in which they introduce the disciplinary charges.

(3) The judge, against whom the disciplinary charges are brought, gives statements with regard to the case, and the statements from witnesses and other persons present at the hearing are heard. Members of the Disciplinary Chamber may question the judge against whom the charges are brought, the witnesses and other persons summoned to the hearing.

(4) After examination of the evidence, the judge whose disciplinary case is heard has the right to express their opinion with regard to the case.

(5) Minutes are taken of hearings of the Disciplinary Chamber.

§ 97. Decisions of Disciplinary Chamber

(1) Where the culpability of a judge is proved, the Disciplinary Chamber makes a decision whereby the judge is convicted of the commission of the disciplinary offence and a disciplinary sanction is imposed on the judge.

(2) Where the judge has not committed the disciplinary offence, the Disciplinary Chamber makes a decision by which the judge is acquitted of the disciplinary charges.

(3) A judge on whom a disciplinary sanction is imposed may file an appeal to the Supreme Court en banc within 30 days after the decision is pronounced.

(3¹) The Supreme Court en banc may perform the following with regard to a decision of the Disciplinary Chamber:

1) refuse amendment;

2) amend and convict the judge of the commission of a less serious disciplinary offence and mitigate the disciplinary sanction imposed;

3) refuse to make substantive amendments and mitigate the disciplinary sanction imposed;

4) annul the decision and acquit the judge.

(4) Where the judge has not filed an appeal to the Supreme Court en banc, the decision of the Disciplinary Chamber enters into force after the expiry of the term specified in subsection 3 of this section. A decision of the Disciplinary Chamber appealed to the Supreme Court en banc enters into force as a judgment of the Supreme Court en banc upon pronouncement thereof.

§ 98. Reimbursement of reduced portion of salary

(1) Where a judge is acquitted of disciplinary charges, the reduced portion of salary related to the temporary removal from service and the interest provided by law are paid to the judge.

(2) Where the Disciplinary Chamber convicts a judge of the commission of a disciplinary offence which is considerably less serious than the act against which charges were brought against the judge and for which they were temporarily removed from service, the Chamber may decide that the reduced portion of salary is to be reimbursed to the judge in part or in full.

(3) On the grounds specified in subsections 1 and 2 of this section, the reduced portion of salary is paid to the judge within one month after termination of the disciplinary proceedings or entry into force of the decision of the Disciplinary Chamber.

§ 99. Release of judges from office

(1) A judge is released from office:

1) at the request of the judge;

2) due to age;

3) due to unsuitability for office – within three years after appointment to office;

4) due to health reasons which hinder work as a judge;

5) upon liquidation of a court or closure of a courthouse or reduction of the number of judges;

6) where the term of working outside court has expired and the judge has not submitted the notice of return specified in subsection 5 of § 58⁴ of this Act.

7) where a judge is appointed or elected to a position or office which is not in compliance with the restrictions on services of judges;

8) where facts become evident which pursuant to law preclude the appointment of the person as a judge.

(1¹) A judge is not released from office on the basis of clauses 1 and 3 of subsection 1 of this section during the conduct of disciplinary proceedings against them.

(1²) The service relationship of a judge terminates upon their death.

(1³) For the release from office on the basis specified in clause 1 of subsection 1 of this section, a judge submits an application at least nine months prior to the desired date of the release. Based on a judge’s application and with good reason, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may make a proposal to the President of the Republic or the Supreme Court en banc to release the judge from office earlier than nine months after the submission of the request.

(2) Judges of courts of first and second instance are released from office by the President of the Republic on the proposal of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

(3) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is released from office by the Riigikogu on the proposal of the President of the Republic except in the case provided in subsection 6 of § 27 of this Act. The other justices of the Supreme Court are released from office by the Riigikogu on the proposal of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court except in the cases provided in clauses 1 and 2 of subsection 1 of this section where the justices of the Supreme Court are released from office by the Supreme Court en banc on the proposal of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

§ 99¹. Release from office due to age

(1) A judge is released from office when the judge attains 68 years of age, unless the maximum age limit of the judge is increased pursuant to the procedure provided in subsections 2 and 3 of this section.

(2) The Supreme Court en banc may in exceptional cases, on the consent of the Council for Administration of Courts and the judge and on the proposal of the chief judge of the court, increase the maximum age limit of the judge by up to two years, but not more than four years in total. The judgment of the Supreme Court en banc is adopted by secret ballot by the two-thirds majority vote of the justices of the Supreme Court who are present.

(3) The maximum age limit of the judge may be increased in case of substantial public interest from the point of view of administration of justice.

(4) The increase of the maximum age limit applies exclusively to the judge whose maximum age limit was increased.

(5) In case of increasing the maximum age limit of a judge, the judge is released from office after the judge has attained the increased maximum age limit.

(6) The Supreme Court en banc may, on the consent of the judge and on the proposal of the chief judge of the court, extend the term of authority of the judge who has been released from office at their own request or due to their age, if this is required for finalising the hearing of the cases distributed to the judge. In such case the judge does not lose the right to the receive the judge’s pension provided in § 132² or § 132³ of this Act, and is paid, in addition, 25% of the salary of the judge. The term of authority is determined by the Supreme Court en banc on the proposal of the chief judge of the court. The term of authority of a judge may be extended up to the attainment of the last maximum age limit of the judge specified in subsection 2 of this section. Where the term of authority of the judge is extended pursuant to the procedure specified in this subsection, the number of judges in the court may be greater than the number determined on the basis of §§ 11, 19 and 23 of this Act.

§ 100. Release from office due to unsuitability

(1) A judge may be released from the office of judge due to unsuitability for office only within three years after appointment to office if the judge has been declared unsuitable for office by a decision of the Supreme Court en banc. If during the first three years a judge has been away from service for more than six months, the term for releasing from the office of judge due to unsuitability for office is extended by the period of being away from service.

(2) Once a year, the chief judge of a court submits their opinion and the report specified in subsection 2 of § 73 of this Act concerning a judge with less than three years’ length of service employed in the court to the judgeship examination committee. The standard form for submission of an opinion is established by the judgeship examination committee.

(3) Upon assessment of suitability for the office of judge, the Supreme Court en banc considers the proposal of a person or body entitled to commence disciplinary proceedings, the opinion of the judgeship examination committee and other information characterising the work of the judge.

(4) The judgeship examination committee holds a hearing where the judge whose suitability is assessed is heard.

(5) At least 10 days before the suitability of a judge is discussed at a hearing of the Supreme Court en banc, a reasoned proposal of a person or body entitled to institute disciplinary proceedings to release the judge from office and the opinion of the judgeship examination committee are presented to the judge whose suitability for office is assessed, and they are allowed to examine the gathered materials.

§ 100¹. Temporary removal of judges from service for duration of criminal proceedings

(1) Where the Supreme Court by its decision gives its consent for issuing a statement of charges in respect of the Chief Justice or a justice of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice or the justice of the Supreme Court is temporarily removed from office until the entry into force of the judgment and their salary is reduced by 50%.

(2) Where the President of the Republic gives their consent for issuing a statement of charges in respect of a judge, the judge is temporarily removed from office until the entry into force of the judgment and their salary is reduced by 50%.

(3) Where a justice or judge who has been temporarily removed from office is acquitted or the criminal proceedings are terminated, the part of the salary reduced due to the temporary removal from office is compensated to the justice or judge.

(4) The part of the salary to be compensated on the grounds specified in subsection 3 of this section must be paid to the justice or judge within one month after the termination of the criminal proceedings or the entry into force of the judgment on the criminal case.

§ 101. Removal of judges from office

A judge in respect of whom a conviction by a court for a criminal offence or a decision of the Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court to remove the judge from office has entered into force, is deemed to be removed from office from the date on which the conviction or decision enters into force.

§ 102. Participation of lay judges in administration of justice

(1) Lay judges participate in the administration of justice in District Courts on the grounds and pursuant to the procedure provided by the Acts of procedure.

(2) In administration of justice, a lay judge has equal rights with a judge.

§ 103. Requirements for lay judges

(1) An Estonian citizen with active legal capacity from 25 to 70 years of age who resides in Estonia, has proficiency in the Estonian language at the level C1 provided by the Language Act or a corresponding level, and is of suitable moral character for the activity of a lay judge may be appointed a lay judge.

(2) The following persons are not appointed a lay judge:

1) a person who has been convicted of a criminal offence;

2) a bankrupt;

3) a person who is not suited due to their state of health;

4) a person who has permanent residence, that is the residence the address details of which have been entered in the population register, of less than one year within the territory of the local authority which nominates the person as a candidate for lay judge;

5) a person who is in service in a court, prosecutor’s office or the police;

6) a person who is in mandatory service in the defence forces;

7) an attorney, a notary or an enforcement agent;

8) a member of the Government of the Republic;

9) a member of a rural municipality or city government;

10) the President of the Republic;

11) a member of the Riigikogu;

(3) A person who is accused of a criminal offence may not be appointed a lay judge during the criminal proceedings.

§ 104. Term of authority of lay judge

(1) Lay judges are appointed for four years.

(2) A person may not be appointed a lay judge for more than two consecutive terms.

(3) The chief judge of a District Court notifies the municipal council of the termination of the term of the authority of a lay judge at least four months in advance before the termination of the term of authority.

(4) Where the term of authority of a lay judge terminates during a judicial proceeding, they continue performing their duties until the adjudication of the case in such court.

§ 105. Premature termination of term of authority of lay judge

(1) The term of authority of a lay judge is terminated when a fact specified in subsection 2 of § 103 of this Act becomes evident. The term of authority of a lay judge may be terminated on the basis of their request with good reason.

(2) The committee specified in § 108 of this Act decides on the premature termination of the term of authority of a lay judge on the proposal of the chief judge of a District Court.

§ 106. Procedure for election of candidate for lay judge

(1) Each member of a municipal council may present candidates for lay judge.

(2) A municipal council elects the candidates for lay judge.

(3) The chief judge of a District Court determines the number of candidates for lay judge presented by each municipal council within the judicial district of the court. The number of candidates for lay judge must be proportional to the ratio of the number of residents in the territory of the local government and the number of residents in the judicial district of the court.

§ 107. List of candidates for lay judge

(1) A municipal council submits a list of candidates for lay judges to a District Court at least two months before the termination of the term of authority of lay judges. The list sets out the name, personal identification code, address, place of employment and position or area of activity of a candidate for lay judge.

(2) The list of candidates for lay judges is published in the official publication Ametlikud Teadaanded at least two months before the termination of the term of authority of lay judges appointed earlier. A municipal council submits the list for publication.

(3) The name, personal identification code, place of employment, and position or area of activity of a candidate for lay judge must be published.

(4) Everyone has the right to contest the appointment of a candidate for lay judge as a lay judge in the committee for appointment of lay judges of a District Court.

(5) A notice concerning the right and procedure for contestation is published together with the list of candidates for lay judges in the official publication Ametlikud Teadaanded.

§ 108. Appointment of lay judges

(1) Lay judges are appointed to office from among candidates for lay judges by the committee comprised in a court for appointment of candidates for lay judge, the members of which are approved by the chief judge of the court.

(2) The committee for appointment of lay judges comprises the chief judge of a District Court and a judge elected by the full court. The chief judge of the court chairs the committee.

(3) The committee has a quorum if over one half of the committee members are present, including the chair of the committee. The committee adopts decisions by the majority vote of the members who are present. The chair of the committee has the casting vote upon an equal division of votes.

(4) The committee appoints a specified number of persons determined for such court from among the candidates for lay judges as lay judges.

(5) Upon appointment of lay judges, the committee considers the suitability of a candidate, the reasoned objections filed against a candidate, and follows the principle that lay judges are persons of different sex and age, from different social groups and operating in different areas of activity.

§ 109. Lay judge’s oath of office

A lay judge takes the following oath before the full court:

“I swear to remain faithful to the Republic of Estonia and its constitutional order. I swear to administer justice according to my conscience and in conformity with the Constitution and other laws of the Republic of Estonia.”

§ 110. Participation of lay judges in administration of justice

(1) Lay judges are involved in courts to participate in the administration of justice on the understanding that lay judges participate in the administration of justice equally to the extent possible.

(2) In case a lay judge cannot participate in a trial, another lay judge is involved in the trial.

§ 111. Duties of lay judges

(1) A lay judge involved in the administration of justice is required to appear at a trial.

(2) Where a lay judge cannot participate in a trial with good reason, they must immediately notify the court thereof.

(3) The duties listed in §§ 70–72 of this Act apply to lay judges.

(4) Criminal charges may be brought against a lay judge during their term of office only with the consent of the chief judge of the District Court of their judicial district.

§ 112. Payment of remuneration to lay judges

(1) The amount of remuneration paid to lay judges and payment procedure are established by a regulation of the minister in charge of the policy sector. The minister in charge of the policy sector may not reduce the amount of remuneration of lay judges established by the regulation.

(2) The expenses related to participation in the administration of justice are reimbursed to lay judges.

(3) An employer must exempt a lay judge from work for the time of their participation in the administration of justice.

§ 114. Legal status of assistant judges

(1) An assistant judge is a court official who performs the duties specified by law.

(2) Upon performance of their duties, an assistant judge is independent but must comply with the instructions of a judge to the extent prescribed by law.

§ 114¹. Number of assistant judges

The number of assistant judges is determined by the minister in charge of the policy sector after having heard the opinion of the chief judge of a District Court.

§ 115. Requirements for assistant judges

(1) The following persons may be appointed an assistant judge:

1) who comply with the requirements established in clauses 1–3 of subsection 1 of § 47 of this Act and

2) who have passed the examination for assistant judges.

(2) A person who has passed the judgeship examination or notary examination may also be appointed an assistant judge.

(3) The person specified in subsection 2 of § 47 of this Act may not be appointed an assistant judge.

§ 116. Restrictions on services of assistant judges

The restrictions on services of judges apply to assistant judges.

§ 119. Committee for competition for assistant judges

(1) In order to organise a competition for assistant judges, the chief judge of a court forms a committee for the competition for assistant judges which is comprised of:

1) the chief judge or a judge designated by them;

2) a judge of a Circuit Court of Appeal designated by the chief judge of the respective Circuit Court of Appeal;

3) two assistant judges;

4) the director of court;

5) a representative of the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs;

6) a notary designated by the Chamber of Notaries.

(2) The competition committee has a quorum if at least four members take part in the adoption of the decision.

§ 119¹. Verification of reliability of candidates for assistant judges

(1) A candidate for an assistant judge provides the committee for the competition for assistant judges with the following data:

1) a copy of an identification document and of a document in proof of the nationality;

2) data on their previous places of employment and service;

3) a copy of a document evidencing their education and of an academic transcript or results report;

4) their confirmation that they meet the requirements provided by this Act and the Civil Service Act and that there are no circumstances precluding their appointment to office as provided in subsection 2 of § 47 of this Act.

(2) In order to verify the correctness of the data submitted by a candidate for an assistant judge, the chief judge of the court or an official authorised by them may address agencies of the State and local authorities, officials of agencies of the State and local authorities, as well as legal persons and natural persons with inquiries to obtain data in respect of a candidate for an assistant judge, in order to ascertain the moral character and other personal characteristics of the person and where necessary, obtain a written explanation from the interviewed person with their permission.

(3) A candidate for an assistant judge is notified of the verification carried out in respect of them and provided an opportunity to examine the data gathered in the process of the verification.

(4) Where a candidate for an assistant judge intentionally submits incorrect data to the competition committee or conceals material information, they are excluded from the competition by a resolution of the competition committee.

§ 120. Competition for assistant judges and appointment of assistant judges to office

(1) The chief judge of a court organises a public competition to fill the position of an assistant judge, and appoints the assistant judge based on the results of the competition.

(2) The competition for assistant judges consists of assessment of personal characteristics and reliability and an examination. The examination consists of assessment of the knowledge of law and solving of practical problems.

(3) A probationary period with the duration of up to six months is applied upon appointment to office of assistant judge. The chief judge of the court appoints a supervisor to an assistant judge for the duration of the probationary period.

(4) An assistant judge may be transferred, with their consent, to another department in the same or another court without a competition. No probationary period is applied upon such transfer.

§ 121. Assistant judge’s oath of office

Upon assuming office, an assistant judge takes the following oath before the minister in charge of the policy sector:

“I swear to remain faithful to the Republic of Estonia and its constitutional order. I swear to perform my functions according to my conscience and in conformity with the Constitution and other laws of the Republic of Estonia.”

§ 122. Assistant judge’s salary and additional remuneration

(1) The amount of the salary of an assistant judge is 65% of the salary of a judge of a court of first instance.

(2) During a probationary period, the salary of an assistant judge is 90% of the salary of an assistant judge.

(3) An assistant judge supervising an assistant judge during their probationary period is paid, during the supervision, an additional remuneration equal to 10% of the salary of the assistant judge.

(3¹) The head of the land registry department, registration department and order for payment department of a District Court are paid additional remuneration equal to 35% of the salary of an assistant judge for the performance of the duties related to heading.

§ 122¹. Formation of disciplinary committee for assistant judges

(1) Disciplinary proceedings in respect of an assistant judge of a land registry department, registration department and order for payment department may be instituted by the director of court or the chief judge of the court. Disciplinary proceedings in respect of an assistant judge of a civil department, offences department and guardianship supervision department may be instituted by the chief judge of the court.

(2) A disciplinary committee for assistant judges is formed by a directive on institution of disciplinary proceedings. The committee comprises a judge of the Circuit Court of Appeal designated by the chief judge of the respective Circuit Court of Appeal, an assistant judge designated by the person instituting the disciplinary proceedings and an official designated by the minister in charge of the policy sector.

(3) The disciplinary committee conducts the disciplinary proceedings, prepares the summary of the disciplinary proceedings and submits it to the chief judge of the court for adopting a decision.

§ 124. Employment of assistant judges in Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs and institutions of higher education

An assistant judge may be transferred to the service of the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs or be employed as lecturer of an institution of professional higher education which provides professional education for assistant judges at the request of the assistant judge and with the consent of the chief judge of the court. The provisions of § 58 of this Act apply otherwise.

§ 125. Director of court

(1) The director of court:

1) organises the clerical business of a judicial institution;

2) organises the use of the assets of a judicial institution;

3) prepares, with the approval of the chief judge of a court, the draft budget of the judicial institution and submits the draft budget to the minister in charge of the policy sector;

4) controls the budgetary funds of a judicial institution;

5) is responsible for organising the accounting of a judicial institution;

6) appoints court officers to office and releases them from office;

7) performs other duties assigned to them by the internal rules of the court and the court office.

(2) The minister in charge of the policy sector may issue decrees to organise issues within the area of activity of directors of court.

(3) A director of court must have completed higher education. Directors of court of courts of first and second instance are appointed to office for five years by the minister in charge of the policy sector. A director of court is appointed to office on the basis of a public competition, and § 119¹ of this Act applies upon verification of the reliability of applicants.

(4) The minister in charge of the policy sector may decide that several judicial institutions have one director of court.

(4¹) The District Court with its structural unit being a department specified in this Act may also have the director of court responsible exclusively for the area of activity of the respective department.

(5) The basic salary and variable salary of directors of court of courts of first and second instance are determined in the salary guide established by the minister in charge of the policy sector on the basis of subsection 2 of § 63 of the Civil Service Act.

§ 125¹. Law clerk

(1) A law clerk is a court official who participates in the preparation for proceeding and in proceedings of cases to the extent prescribed in an Act of procedure either independently or under the supervision of a judge.

(2) A law clerk is also competent to perform the acts and make the dispositions which an assistant judge or another court official is competent to perform or make pursuant to an Act of procedure.

(3) A law clerk is independent upon performance of their duties but must comply with the instructions of a judge to the extent prescribed by law.

(4) A person who complies with the requirements set out in clauses 1–3 of subsection 1 of § 47 of this Act may be appointed as a law clerk. A person who, pursuant to the Civil Service Act, cannot be employed in the service as an official may not be appointed as a law clerk.

(5) A vacant position of law clerk is filled by way of public competition. The competition is organised and a law clerk is appointed to office and released from office by the chief judge of the court. A probationary period with the duration of six months is applied upon appointment to office of a law clerk. An assistant judge may be transferred to the position of a law clerk without a competition with the consent of the assistant judge. In such case the probationary period may be shortened or disapplied.

(5¹) The announcement of a public competition may be waived and internal competition may be carried out for the law clerks if there is good reason to believe that it is reasonable to fill the vacant position by announcing the competition within one or more judicial institutions. Where a law clerk has been appointed to office by way of internal competition, the probationary period specified in subsection 5 of this section may be shortened or disapplied.

(6) The salary of a law clerk may not exceed the salary of a judge of a court of first instance and following the probationary period it may not be smaller than one half of the salary of a judge of a court of first instance.

(7) A person who has worked for at least three years as a law clerk and passed the judgeship examination is appointed a senior law clerk.

§ 125². Prospective judicial candidates training programme for law clerks

(1) The prospective judicial candidates training programme (hereinafter prospective judicial candidates training programme) means the temporary service of law clerks outside the court to which they have been appointed to office, with the purpose of developing their knowledge and skills to stand as a judicial candidate. The procedure provided in § 33 of the Civil Service Act is not applied to the law clerks who participate in the prospective judicial candidates training programme.

(2) Up to ten law clerks are selected for the prospective judicial candidates training programme through an internal competition. The chief judges of the Circuit Courts of Appeal organise, at least once a year, a competition for selection to the prospective judicial candidates training programme and approve the prospective judicial candidates training programme for each law clerk selected in the competition.

(3) A law clerk participating in the prospective judicial candidates training programme must spend at least six months a year performing the duties specified in the prospective judicial candidates training programme outside their place of service, in such a way as to gain work experience with several judges and at both first and second instance.

(4) A law clerk participating in the prospective judicial candidates training programme is exempted from performing their duties in the court to which they have been appointed to office. A law clerk participating in the prospective judicial candidates training programme may perform the same acts and give the same dispositions in the court in which they are performing the prospective judicial candidates training programme as they do in the court to which they have been appointed to office.

(5) The prospective judicial candidates training programme may be terminated prematurely by a decision of the chief judge of the Circuit Court of Appeal. The proposal for premature termination may be made by the law clerk or by the court in which the law clerk performs the prospective judicial candidates training programme. The law clerk, the court in which the law clerk performs the prospective judicial candidates training programme and the court to which they have been appointed to office must be notified of the premature termination of the prospective judicial candidates training programme at least one month in advance.

§ 126. Bailiffs

(1) A bailiff is a court official whose duty is to maintain order in the court, serve reports and summons on persons and perform other duties related to the functions of a bailiff specified in the internal rules of the court. Bailiffs have the same rights as assistant police officers pursuant to § 12 and Subchapter 2 of Chapter 4 of the Assistant Police Officer Act and the police or another law enforcement agency pursuant to §§ 28 and 30, subsections 1–3 of § 32, § 34, subsections 1 and 2 of § 38, § 46, clauses 1, 2 and 4 of subsection 1 of § 47, and § 52 of the Law Enforcement Act.

(1¹) The minister in charge of the policy sector may establish, by a regulation, the procedure for issue of special equipment and weapons to bailiffs, return of weapons and special equipment and carrying of weapons.

(2) Additional remuneration is paid to bailiffs for serving summons and reports. The minister in charge of the policy sector establishes the rates of additional remuneration.

(3) Bailiffs are reimbursed for expenses incurred for the use of public transportation related to the performance of duties.

(4) On the basis of an administrative contract, the performance of the duties specified in subsection 1 of this section may be transferred to a company.

§ 127. Other court officers

The duties of court officials and court employees not specified in this Chapter are specified in the internal rules of a court and internal rules of the court office.

§ 127¹. Official attire of court officer

The minister in charge of the policy sector may establish the description of and the procedure for wearing the attire of court officers. Where wearing the attire is obligatory, the attire is given to the court officer free of charge.

§ 128. Entry into force of Act

(1) This Act enters into force on the 10th day after its publication in the Riigi Teataja.

(2) Subsection 5 of § 61, subsections 1 and 5 of § 76, and §§ 122, 134 and 146 of this Act are implemented from 1 July 2002.

§ 129. Formation of Constitutional Review Chamber of Supreme Court

Pursuant to this Act, the Constitutional Review Chamber of the Supreme Court is formed by 1 January 2003.

§ 129¹. Term of authority of chairs of Chambers of Supreme Court

The term of authority of the chairs of the Chambers of the Supreme Court appointed before 1 January 2015 is calculated from 1 January 2015.

§ 129². Appointment of Supreme Court law clerks to office

Subsections 4 and 5 of § 31 of this Act apply with regard to Supreme Court law clerks appointed to office after 1 August 2016.

§ 130. Formation of Disciplinary Chamber

(1) For the formation of the Disciplinary Chamber, the Court en banc elects two judges of a Circuit Court of Appeal and two judges of a court of first instance for a term of two years, and three judges of a Circuit Court of Appeal and three judges of a court of first instance for a term of three years.

(2) Until the formation of the Disciplinary Chamber pursuant to this Act, the functions of the Disciplinary Chamber are performed by the current Disciplinary Committee. The Disciplinary Chamber is formed pursuant to this Act not later than by 1 January 2003.

§ 130¹. Formation of civil departments and offences departments and appointment of heads of departments

At least one civil department and one offences department is formed in every District Court on the basis of § 9¹, and heads of departments are appointed on the basis of § 12²of this Act, not later than by 1 May 2023.

§ 130². Formation of guardianship supervision department

The guardianship supervision department provided in § 16² of this Act starts work on 1 May 2023.

§ 130³. Formation of Judicial Council

(1) The Judicial Council provided in § 40¹ of this Act commenced its work on 1 October 2026.

(2) Before 1 October 2026, the Council for Administration of Courts establishes the procedure for the election of judges as members of the Judicial Council as provided in subsection 4 of § 40¹ of this Act.

§ 131. Term of authority of chief judges of courts and directors of court

(1) The term of authority of the chief judges of courts in office at the time of entry into force of this Act commences as of the date of entry into force of this Act.

(2) Directors of court are appointed to office by way of a public competition not later than by 1 January 2003. Until the appointment of a director of court by way of a public competition, the duties of the director of court provided in subsection 4 of § 15, subsection 4 of § 16, subsection 4 of § 17 and subsection 1 of § 125 of this Act are performed by the chief judge of the court.

§ 131¹. Special rules for requirements for assistant judges

(1) A person who has acquired the professional education of assistant judge at an institution of professional higher education may also be appointed as an assistant judge.

(2) The preparatory service plan of an assistant judge is deemed completed upon graduation from an institution of professional higher education which provides professional education for assistant judges.

§ 131². Appointment of court official to position of law clerk

A consultant or another court official may be appointed to the position of law clerk only pursuant to the procedure specified in subsection 5 of § 125¹ of this Act and provided that they comply with the requirements established in subsection 4 of § 125¹ of this Act.

§ 131³. Redundancy pay for assistant judges

An assistant judge appointed to office before 1 January 2015 who is released from service due to redundancy of the position and who has worked for at least a year as an assistant judge before the release from service due to redundancy is paid the six months’ salary of the assistant judge as compensation.

§ 131⁴. Termination of term of authority of manager of courthouse and deputy chief judge of District Court

(1) The term of authority of a manager of courthouse of a District Court and deputy chief judge of a District Court who holds the office before 1 May 2023, runs until 30 April 2023.

(2) The term of authority of a manager of courthouse of an Administrative Court who holds the office before 1 May 2023, runs until 30 April 2023.

§ 131⁵. Term of authority of chair of chamber of Circuit Court of Appeal

The term of authority of a judge appointed to the office of the chair of a chamber of a Circuit Court of Appeal before 1 May 2023, runs until the expiry of the term of office.

§ 132. Formation of judgeship examination committee

(1) The judgeship examination committee is formed pursuant to this Act not later than by 1 January 2003.

(1¹) Subsections 1–3 of § 69 of this Act are implemented from the election of members of the judgeship examination committee in 2015.

(2) Until the formation of the judgeship examination committee pursuant to this Act, the functions of the committee are performed by the current judgeship examination committee.

(3) The service of persons who are in preparatory service at the time of the entry into force of this Act continues pursuant to the current plan until it is brought into conformity with this Act. The period of the service of the persons who are in preparatory service at the time of the entry into force of this Act may be reduced, but not for more than by one year.

§ 132¹. Judge’s pension

The following are judge’s pensions:

1) judge’s old-age pension;

2) judge’s superannuated pension;

3) judge’s pension for incapacity for work;

4) survivor’s pension for judge’s family members.

§ 132². Right to receive judge’s old-age pension

(1) The right to receive a judge’s old-age pension is held by a person of pensionable age, who:

1) has held the office of judge after 31 December 1991 and who by 1 July 2013 has worked as a judge for at least 15 years;

2) holds the office of judge as at 1 July 2013 and who by the time of retirement has completed the length of service qualifying for the grant of the old-age pension provided in clause 1 of subsection 1 of this section;

3) has held the office of judge after 31 December 1991 and who by 1 July 2013 has worked as a judge for at least 10 years and who has been established to have no work ability on the basis of the Work Ability Allowance Act;

4) holds the office of judge as at 1 July 2013 and who by the time of retirement has completed the length of service qualifying for the grant of the old-age pension provided in clause 3 of subsection 1 of this section and who has been established to have no work ability on the basis of the Work Ability Allowance Act.

(2¹) A judge who has been established to have a 100, 90 or 80% permanent loss of capacity for work on the basis of the State Pension Insurance Act, is entitled to apply for a judge’s old-age pension on the basis of subsection 2 of § 132² of the Courts Act in force until 1 July 2016.

(3) The right to receive a judge’s old-age pension is held by a person of pensionable age, who:

1) has been the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court after 31 December 1991 and before 1 July 2013, or

2) is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court as at 1 July 2013, or

3) holds the office of judge as at 1 July 2013 and who is appointed the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court after 1 July 2013.

§ 132³. Right to receive judge’s superannuated pension

The right to receive a judge’s superannuated pension, irrespective of the age, is held by a person, who:

1) has held the office of judge after 31 December 1991 and who by 1 July 2013 has worked as a judge for at least 30 years;

2) holds the office of judge as at 1 July 2013 and who by the time of retirement has completed the length of service qualifying for the grant of the superannuated pension provided in clause 1 of this section.

§ 132⁴. Right to receive judge’s pension for incapacity for work

(1) A judge who has been established to have a permanent loss of capacity for work on the basis of the State Pension Insurance Act before 1 July 2016, is entitled to apply for a pension for incapacity for work, which is determined on the basis of the wording of the Courts Act in force until 1 July 2016.

(2) A judge who receives a pension for incapacity for work on the basis of the wording of the Courts Act in force until 1 July 2016 continues, after the expiry of the duration of permanent incapacity for work determined by an examination for establishing permanent incapacity for work, to receive the pension for incapacity for work in the former amount without assessment of the capacity for work.

(3) When a person receiving a judge’s pension for incapacity for work attains the pensionable age provided in § 7 of the State Pension Insurance Act, payment of the old-age pension continues, at their request, in the amount of the previous pension for incapacity for work.

§ 132⁵. Right to receive survivor’s pension for judge’s family members

A judge’s family member whose right to receive a judge’s survivor’s pension has arisen before 1 July 2016 is granted and paid the pension based on the wording of this Act in force until 1 July 2016.

§ 132⁶. Amount of judge’s pension

(1) The amount of a judge’s old-age pension and superannuated pension is 75% of the salary of their most recent position, which was in force on the day from which the pension is granted.

(1¹) The salary calculated in accordance with subsection 2 of § 1 of the Salaries of Higher State Servants Act is taken into consideration in calculation of the pension of a judge whose salary was determined in the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2028 on the basis of § 17² of the Salaries of Higher State Servants Act.

(2) The amount of the old-age pension of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or a person who has been the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is 75% of the salary of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, which was in force on the day from which the pension is granted, if they have worked as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for at least five years, and 50% if they have worked as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for less than five years.

(3¹) A judge who receives a judge’s old-age pension on the basis of clause 3 or 4 of subsection 1 of § 132² of this Act continues:

1) to receive the old-age pension after the expiry of the duration of permanent incapacity for work determined by an examination for establishing permanent incapacity for work in the former amount without assessment of the capacity for work;

2) to receive the old-age pension after the expiry of the duration of no work ability established by the Unemployment Insurance Fund in the former amount without new assessment of the capacity for work.

(3²) A judge who receives a judge’s old-age pension on the basis of subsection 2 of § 132² of the Courts Act in force until 1 July 2016 continues, after the expiry of the duration of permanent incapacity for work determined by an examination for establishing permanent incapacity for work, to receive the judge’s old-age pension in the former amount without assessment of the capacity for work.

§ 132⁸. Judge with permanent incapacity for work

The condition of no work ability provided in subsection 1 of § 132² of this Act is considered met in case of a judge who has been established to have a 100, 90 or 80% permanent loss of capacity for work on the basis of the State Pension Insurance Act.

§ 133. Payment of judge’s pension

(1) The length of service as a judge before entry into force of this Act is also included in the length of service required to receive a judge’s old-age pension.

(2) For judges who are appointed to office until the entry into force of this Act, employment in the position of lecturer of law with a research degree of an Estonian institution of higher education, attorney-at-law, prosecutor, the Chancellor of Justice or in any other position which requires high qualification in law is also included in the length of pensionable service as judge. The provisions of this subsection do not extend to the calculation of the length of service qualifying for the grant of the superannuated pension (§ 132² ).

(3) Within one year after the entry into force of this Act, the judgeship examination committee decides on the determination of the length of pensionable service of all judges, taking into consideration the provisions of this section.

(4) Sections 132¹ –132⁶ of this Act also apply to persons who do not work as judges at the time of the entry into force of this Act but have held the office of judge after 31 December 1991.

(5) Within five years after the entry into force of this Act, the right to receive judge’s old-age pension also arises for a person after their service as a judge for five years if the person has held the office of judge after 31 December 1991, attained the pensionable age, and has worked for at least 10 years in a position which the judgeship examination committee has deemed equal to holding the office of judge.

(6) Judges who attain the pensionable age within five years after the entry into force of this Act and who have not completed five years of pensionable service as a judge, have the right to remain in the office of judge until completion of the years of pensionable service on the condition that they, on the date of entry into force of this Act, held the office of judge and have worked for at least ten years in positions which the judgeship examination committee has deemed equal to holding the office of judge.

(7) A judge who is at least 55 years of age and who at least during the last 10 years has worked as a judge has the right to receive the judge’s old age pension after they leave the office of judge. The decision to leave office in order to use such right is to be made by 1 January 2003. In case the judge continues work in civil service, the amount of their pension plus their remuneration received in civil service may not exceed the salary received by them in the position of a judge.

(8) A judge who as at 1 July 2013 has been transferred to the service of the Supreme Court or the Ministry of Justice (subsection 1 of § 58), elected or appointed as judge of an international court institution or who participates as an expert in an international civilian mission (subsections 1 and 5 of § 58¹), retains the right to the pension provided in §§ 132¹ –132⁶.

§ 135. Competence of lay assessors

Lay assessors elected before the entry into force of this Act have the powers of lay judges until the end of their term of authority.

§ 136. Term of authority of assistant judge’s examination committee

(3) Until the formation of the competition committee, the functions of the committee are performed by the current assistant judge’s examination committee.

§ 137. Transitional provisions concerning organisation of judges’ training

(1) Until the year 2004, the judges’ training program includes also follow-up training.

(2) The Ministry of Justice provides the information and contracts necessary for the preparation of the judges’ training program to a foundation pursuant to the procedure approved by the minister, and the foundation begins the preparation of the judges’ training program for the year 2003 not later than on 1 September 2002.

(3) Until the formation of the Training Council pursuant to this Act, the functions of the Training Council are performed by the current Training Council.

§ 137¹. Employment in international court institutions

Section 58¹ of this Act applies also to judges of international court institutions elected or appointed before the entry into force of the specified provision.

§ 137². Special rule for application of subsection 2 of § 50 of this Act

For the purposes of subsection 2 of § 50 of this Act, employment as an assistant prosecutor [ prokuröri abi ] before 1 April 2015 is deemed equal to employment as an assistant prosecutor [ abiprokurör ].

§ 137³. Organisation of competitions for judges

Competitions for filling vacant positions of judges announced before 1 August 2016 are organised on the basis of the Act in force until 31 July 2016.

§ 137⁴. Appointment of chief judges of courts of first and second instance

The term of office of a chief judge of a court of first instance or a court of second instance who holds the office on 1 August 2016 expires upon the end of the term provided in the Act in force at the time of their appointment and the restriction provided in subsection 10 of § 12 of this Act does not apply to them on one occasion upon appointment as the chief judge of a court for the next period.

§ 137⁵. Judge working outside court

Section 58⁴ of this Act is applied also to the judges who work, as of 1 May 2023, at a state authority, university in public law, international organisation, international court institution or the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.

§ 138. Merger of courts

(1) Kohtla-Järve City Court and Ida-Viru District Court are merged not later than by 1 January 2003. Until such date, Kohtla-Järve City Court operates as a separate judicial institution.

(2) Hiiu District Court and Lääne District Court are merged not later than by 1 January 2003. Until such date, Hiiu District Court operates as a separate judicial institution. After the merger of the courts, at least one judge of Lääne District Court stays in Hiiumaa to resume permanent employment as judge.

§ 138¹. Term of authority of chief judge of court and director of court

(1) The Minister of Justice appoints the chief judge of a District Court and Administrative Court not later than by 1 May 2006. The Minister of Justice may temporarily assign the duties of chief judge to a judge of a District Court or Administrative Court with the consent of the judge until the appointment of a chief judge of the court. The temporary acting chief judge of a court is paid additional remuneration provided in subsection 2 of § 76 of this Act.

(2) The Minister of Justice appoints the director of court to office on the basis of a public competition not later than by 1 March 2006. Until the appointment of a director of a court, the chief judge of the court or the judge specified in subsection 1 of this section performs the functions of the director of a court provided in subsection 4 of § 15, subsection 4 of § 16, subsection 4 of § 17 and subsection 1 of § 125 of this Act.

(3) Directors of court appointed to service before 1 April 2013 are automatically considered participants in the competition for the position of the director of the court where they serve, unless they submit a written notice of not participating in the competition. The notice of not participating in the competition is to be submitted not later than before the end of the term indicated in the notice concerning the competition.

(4) The Minister of Justice may appoint to office the director of court responsible for the area of activity of the land registry department and registration department of Tartu District Court in 2014. The director of court responsible for the area of activity of the land registry department and registration department may be appointed to office without a public competition from among the current directors of court.

(5) The court officers comprising the land registry departments and registration departments of District Courts are considered the court officers of the land registry department and registration department of Tartu District Court as of 1 January 2015, and they continue service at Tartu District Court.

§ 138². Termination of term of authority of chief judge of District Court, City Court and Administrative Court

(1) The term of authority of chief judges of District, City and Administrative Courts appointed before 1 January 2006 terminates upon the entry into force of this Act.

(2) The judges specified in subsection 1 of this section are paid additional remuneration in the amount of 15% of their salary until 31 December 2006 if they were chief judges of a District Court, City Court or Administrative Court where up to 14 judges were employed, or in the amount of 25% of their salary if they were chief judges of a District Court, City Court or Administrative Court where at least 15 judges were employed. No additional remuneration is paid if the judge specified in subsection 1 is appointed chief judge of a District Court or Administrative Court pursuant to the provisions of subsection 1 of § 138¹ of this Act.

§ 138³. Determination of exact location and service areas of courthouses and the number and distribution of judges

The Minister of Justice determines the exact location of courthouses and the service areas of District Courts and Administrative Courts (subsection 3 of § 9 and subsection 3 of § 18) and the number of district and Administrative Court judges and their distribution among courthouses (§§ 11 and 19) not later than by 1 October 2005.

§ 138⁴. Service of District, City and Administrative Court judges

(1) On 1 January 2006, the District, City and Administrative Court judges who are in office are deemed to be appointed to office as follows:

1) the judges of Tallinn City Court and Harju District Court are deemed to be judges of Harju District Court;

2) the judges of Ida-Viru District Court, Narva City Court and Lääne-Viru District Court are deemed to be judges of Viru District Court;

3) the judges of Pärnu District Court, Saare District Court, Lääne District Court, Järva District Court and Rapla District Court are deemed to be judges of Pärnu District Court;

4) the judges of Tartu District Court, Jõgeva District Court, Viljandi District Court, Valga District Court, Põlva District Court and Võru District Court are deemed to be judges of Tartu District Court;

5) the judges of Tallinn Administrative Court and Pärnu Administrative Court are deemed to be judges of Tallinn Administrative Court;

6) the judges of Tartu Administrative Court and Jõhvi Administrative Court are deemed to be judges of Tartu Administrative Court;

(2) On 1 January 2006, the courthouse which is located in the settlement of the location of the District, City or Administrative Court where the District or Administrative Court judge was employed as a judge before the entry into force of this Act is deemed to be their permanent place of service.

§ 138⁵. Validity of task distribution plan

After the entry into force of the Act on Amendment to Courts Act for the merger of judicial districts of courts, the division of tasks between judges is determined for courthouses on the basis of the task distribution plans which were in force immediately before the entry into force of said Act, until approval of the new task distribution plan. The full court approves the new task distribution plan not later than by 1 March 2006.

§ 138⁶. Term of authority of lay judges

(1) The lay judges appointed to office before 1 January 2006 whose term of authority has not terminated are deemed to be appointed to office in the following courts:

1) the lay judges of Tallinn City Court and Harju District Court are deemed to be lay judges of Harju District Court;

2) the lay judges of Ida-Viru District Court, Narva City Court and Lääne-Viru District Court are deemed to be lay judges of Viru District Court;

3) the lay judges of Pärnu District Court, Saare District Court, Lääne District Court, Järva District Court and Rapla District Court are deemed to be lay judges of Pärnu District Court;

4) the lay judges of Tartu District Court, Jõgeva District Court, Viljandi District Court, Valga District Court, Põlva District Court and Võru District Court are deemed to be lay judges of Tartu District Court;

(2) The term of authority of lay judges appointed before 1 January 2006 terminates upon expiry of the term specified in subsection 1 or subsection 4 of § 104 of this Act.

§ 138⁷. Liquidation of Viru Circuit Court of Appeal

(1) From 1 October 2008, any appeals received by Viru Circuit Court of Appeal are referred for judgment to Tartu Circuit Court of Appeal. Any interim appeals received by Viru Circuit Court of Appeal are adjudicated until the closing of the court in Viru Circuit Court of Appeal. On 31 December 2008, any court cases pending before Viru Circuit Court of Appeal are referred for judgment to Tartu Circuit Court of Appeal.

(2) A judge of Viru Circuit Court of Appeal who upon the liquidation of the court is released from office on the basis of clause 5 of subsection 1 of § 99 of this Act and who by the time has at least 20 years of pensionable service of judge together with the length of service specified in subsection 2 of § 133 of this Act has the right to receive the judge’s old-age pension. In case the judge continues work in civil service, their pension together with the remuneration received in civil service may not exceed the amount received by them in the position of a judge.

(3) Judges of Viru Circuit Court of Appeal must notify the Ministry of Justice not later than by 1 April 2008 of their desire to use the right arising from subsection 2 of this section to receive judge’s old-age pension or their desire to commence work from 1 January 2009 either in Viru District Court of Appeal or Tartu District Court of Appeal or their consent to their release from office on the basis of clause 5 of subsection 1 of § 99 of this Act. Non-submission of the notice is considered the desire of a judge of Viru Circuit Court of Appeal to commence work in Tartu Circuit Court of Appeal.

(4) Where a judge of Viru Circuit Court of Appeal commences work on the basis of subsection 3 of this section as a judge of Viru District Court from 1 January 2009, their old-age pension is calculated on the basis of the judge’s salary in the circuit court of appeal valid at the time of grant of the pension taking into account the provisions of subsections 1 and 2 of § 132² and subsection 1 of § 132⁶ of this Act, unless they are entitled to receive a more favourable judge’s old-age pension.

(5) A judge of Viru Circuit Court of Appeal who uses the right arising from subsection 2 of this section to receive judge’s old-age pension is not paid the compensation arising from subsection 1 of § 86 of this Act.

§ 138⁸. Termination of payment of additional remuneration to judges for years of service

Upon termination of the payment of the additional remuneration to judges for years of service as specified in this Act, the judge’s salary may not decrease. Where the judge’s salary following the entry into force of this Act is smaller than the judge’s former salary, the judge is paid the former salary until the judge’s salary pursuant to this Act and the Salaries of Higher State Servants Act exceeds the former salary.

§ 138⁹. Term of office of directors of court of courts of first and second instance

The term of authority of directors of court of courts of first and second instance who hold office as at the entry into force of subsection 3 of § 125 of this Act, remains in effect for five years after the entry into force of the Act.

§ 138¹⁰. Special rule for application of subsection 2 of § 84 of this Act

The holiday of 49 calendar days for judges of courts of first and second instance and of 56 calendar days for justices of the Supreme Court is preserved for two years from 1 April 2013 in case they serve as judges as at 1 April 2013.

§ 138¹¹. Lay judge’s pension for incapacity for work

(1) A lay judge who has been established to have a permanent loss of capacity for work on the basis of the State Pension Insurance Act is entitled to an increase of the lay judge’s pension for incapacity for work pursuant to the wording of § 113 of this Act in force until 1 July 2016.

(2) A lay judge who has been declared permanently incapacitated for work for a period of at least two years on the basis of the State Pension Insurance Act by the latest examination for establishing permanent incapacity for work and who submits an application for assessment of work ability not later than on the date of re-examination set out in the results of the examination for establishment of permanent incapacity for work and who is established to have partial or no work ability is paid a work ability allowance in an amount equal to the total amount of the pension for incapacity for work last paid to them on the basis of the State Pension Insurance Act and this Act, if this is larger than the work ability allowance granted to them on the basis of the Work Ability Allowance Act. The provisions of the Work Ability Allowance Act concerning a work ability allowance, including subsections 4 and 5 of § 27 of the Work Ability Allowance Act, apply upon payment of a pension for incapacity for work to a lay judge on the basis of this subsection.

§ 139

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§ 151

[Omitted from this text.]