CHAPTER XIII. THE COURTS
Article 146
Justice shall be administered solely by the courts. The courts shall be independent in their activities and shall administer justice in accordance with the Constitution and the laws.
Article 147
Judges shall be appointed for life. The grounds and procedure for the release of judges from office shall be provided by law.
Judges may be removed from office only by a court judgment.
Judges shall not hold any other elected or appointed office, except in the cases prescribed by law.
The legal status of judges and guarantees for their independence shall be provided by law.
Article 148
The court system shall consist of:
- county and city courts, and administrative courts;
- circuit courts;
- the Supreme Court.
The creation of specialized courts with specific jurisdiction shall be provided by law.
The formation of emergency courts is prohibited.
Article 149
County and city courts, and administrative courts are courts of first instance.
Circuit courts are courts of appeal and shall review judgments of the courts of first instance by way of appeal proceedings.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the state and shall review court judgments by way of cassation proceedings. The Supreme Court is also the court of constitutional review.
Rules regarding court administration and rules of court procedure shall be established by law.
Article 150
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall be appointed to office by the Riigikogu, on the proposal of the President of the Republic.
Justices of the Supreme Court shall be appointed to office by the Riigikogu, on the proposal of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Other judges shall be appointed to office by the President of the Republic, on the proposal of the Supreme Court.
Article 151
The rules of court procedure regarding representation, defense, state prosecution, and supervision of legality shall be provided by law.
Article 152
In a court proceeding, the court shall not apply any law or other legislation that is in conflict with the Constitution.
The Supreme Court shall declare invalid any law or other legislation that is in conflict with the provisions and spirit of the Constitution.
Article 153
Criminal charges may be brought against a judge during his or her term of office only on the proposal of the Supreme Court, and with the consent of the President of the Republic.
Criminal charges may be brought against the Chief Justice and justices of the Supreme Court only on the proposal of the Chancellor of Justice, and with the consent of the majority of the membership of the Riigikogu.
