Privaatõigus

Privaatõigus, or private law, is the branch of law that governs relationships between private individuals and private legal entities, such as natural persons, families, companies, and associations, in matters of private rights and obligations. It covers civil relations including contract law, tort liability, property rights, family and inheritance law, and corporate law. The aim is to regulate private autonomy, protect individual rights, and provide remedies in private disputes, while limiting private power through law.

Privaatõigus is distinct from public law, which regulates relations between individuals and the state and concerns constitutional, administrative, and criminal law. In civil-law jurisdictions, private law is typically codified in a civil code or civil statutes. In Estonia, this realm is primarily realized through the Tsiviilseadustik (Civil Code), organized into a general part (üldosa) and a special part (eriosa). The general part addresses legal capacity, representation, contracts, liability, and other foundational concepts; the special part covers obligations (kohustuste õigus), property (omand), family (perekonnaseadus), and inheritance (pärimisõigus).

Disputes arising under privaatõigus are usually resolved in civil courts or through out-of-court settlements, with remedies such as damages, specific performance, restitution, or contract termination. Private law evolves by statute and court interpretation to reflect social change, economic development, and international influences.