Legal System of Estonia

Estonia is located in Europe. It is geographically situated in eastern europe, bordering the baltic sea and gulf of finland, between latvia and russia. The country achieved independence on 24 february 1918 (from soviet russia); 20 august 1991 (declared from the soviet union); 6 september 1991 (recognized by the soviet union). The capital is Tallinn.

Government Overview

Government Type: parliamentary republic Chief of State: President Alar KARIS (since 11 October 2021) Head of Government: Prime Minister Kristen MICHAL (since 23 July 2024) Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament Administrative Divisions: 15 urban municipalities (linnad, singular - linn), 64 rural municipalities (vallad, singular - vald)

urban municipalities: Haapsalu, Keila, Kohtla-Jarve, Loksa, Maardu, Narva, Narva-Joesuu, Paide, Parnu, Rakvere, Sillamae, Tallinn, Tartu, Viljandi, Voru

rural municipalities: Alutaguse, Anija, Antsla, Elva, Haademeeste, Haljala, Harku, Hiiumaa, Jarva, Joelahtme, Jogeva, Johvi, Kadrina, Kambja, Kanepi, Kastre, Kehtna, Kihnu, Kiili, Kohila, Kose, Kuusalu, Laane-Harju, Laane-Nigula, Laaneranna, Luganuse, Luunja, Marjamaa, Muhu, Mulgi, Mustvee, Noo, Otepaa, Peipsiaare, Pohja-Parnumaa, Pohja-Sakala, Poltsamaa, Polva, Raasiku, Rae, Rakvere, Räpina, Rapla, Rouge, Ruhnu, Saarde, Saaremaa, Saku, Saue, Setomaa, Tapa, Tartu, Toila, Tori, Torva, Turi, Vaike-Maarja, Valga, Viimsi, Viljandi, Vinni, Viru-Nigula, Vormsi, Voru National Holiday: Independence Day, 24 February (1918) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; age 16 for local elections

Legal System

The legal system of Estonia is described as civil law system International Law: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: several previous; latest adopted 28 June 1992, entered into force 3 July 1992 Amendment Process: proposed by at least one-fifth of Parliament members or by the president of the republic; passage requires three readings of the proposed amendment and a simple majority vote in two successive memberships of Parliament; passage of amendments to the “General Provisions” and “Amendment of the Constitution” chapters requires at least three-fifths majority vote by Parliament to conduct a referendum and majority vote in a referendum

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 19 justices, including the chief justice, and organized into civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional review chambers) Judge Selection: the chief justice is proposed by the president of the republic and appointed by the Riigikogu; other justices proposed by the chief justice and appointed by the Riigikogu; justices appointed for life Subordinate Courts: circuit (appellate) courts; administrative, county, city, and specialized courts

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of unicameral

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of Estonia Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; age 16 for local elections

Historical Background

After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940 – an action never recognized by the US and many other countries – it regained its freedom in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with the West.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Estonia based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.