Maakohus

Maakohus (Estonian for "county court") is a court of first instance in the Estonian judiciary. The maakohus handles civil and criminal cases and administers certain matters of family law, juvenile justice, estate administration, and other non-criminal matters within its territorial jurisdiction. Each maakohus operates within the national court system, providing oral hearings, written judgments, and case management in accordance with Estonian law. Decisions issued by a maakohus can be appealed to the Ringkonnakohus (Court of Appeal), and further review may be possible before the Riigikohus (Supreme Court) under specified conditions.

Composition: A maakohus is typically presided over by one judge, though some proceedings may be conducted by a panel of judges, depending on the nature and complexity of the case. Cases are conducted under procedural laws, such as the Code of Civil Procedure and the Penal Code, with parties having the right to representation and to present evidence.

History and context: The maakohus system dates to Estonia's post-Soviet judicial reforms and forms part of a three-tier court structure that includes the ringkonnakohus (Court of Appeal) and the Riigikohus (Supreme Court). The concept of county or district courts reflects the organization of courts by geographic area to provide accessible justice nationwide. Judges are appointed under national law by the President, on the recommendation of judicial bodies, and are subject to ongoing professional oversight and independence guarantees.