ringkonnakohtuid

Ringkonnakohtud are the circuit courts of Estonia, acting as the intermediate appellate courts in the Estonian judiciary. There are three ringkonnakohtud: Tallinn Ringkonnakohus, Tartu Ringkonnakohus and Pärnu Ringkonnakohus. They hear appeals from decisions of county courts (maakohud) in civil, criminal and administrative matters and help ensure the correct application of law across the country.

In their proceedings, ringkonnakohtud primarily review legal questions rather than re‑evaluating all factual findings. They assess whether the lower court correctly interpreted and applied relevant statutes and principles. They may affirm, overturn or modify a lower court’s decision, or return a case to the lower court for further proceedings if needed. Their rulings contribute to the consistency of legal interpretation within their jurisdiction and can have regional precedential value.

Each ringkonnakohus is organized into several chambers, typically corresponding to civil, criminal and administrative-law work, and is led by a president. Decisions are issued in Estonian and are published to inform practitioners and the public. The decisions of the ringkonnakohtud can be appealed to the Supreme Court of Estonia (Riigikohus) on points of law, under cassation rules, meaning that only questions of law are typically reviewed at that level.

Overall, ringkonnakohtud occupy a central role in Estonia’s judiciary as the main arena for appellate review after county courts and before the Supreme Court, ensuring uniform interpretation of law, accessibility of appeal, and added consistency in judgments across the country.