Erikohtuid

Erikohtuid is an Estonian term used to describe specialized courts within a judiciary. The plural form refers to tribunals that have jurisdiction over specific areas of law or particular types of cases, rather than handling all matters in a general court system. These courts are established to concentrate subject-matter expertise, streamline procedures, and improve the consistency and efficiency of judicial decision-making.

Typical examples of erikohtuid include administrative courts that review acts and decisions of public authorities, family courts that handle family law issues, juvenile courts dealing with cases involving minors, tax or financial tribunals, and commercial or competition courts that address business-related disputes. In some jurisdictions, such specialized courts may exist as independent institutions, while in others they operate as divisions or chambers within a general court structure. They may employ judges with specific expertise, use tailored procedural rules, and maintain dedicated registries and support staff to handle their particular caseloads.

The establishment of erikohtuid is often motivated by the desire to provide faster, more specialized, and more predictable rulings in areas with complex substantive or procedural requirements. Critics, however, argue that fragmented specialized courts can lead to uneven access to justice, potential inconsistencies across the legal system, and greater complexity in the overall judicial framework. The exact design, powers, and procedures of erikohtuid vary by country and legal tradition, but the overarching concept remains the creation of courts focused on particular domains of law.