võlaõigus

Võlaõigus is the branch of civil law in Estonia that governs legally enforceable obligations between private parties. It covers the legal relationships in which one person is required to perform a duty for another, most commonly arising from contracts but also from non-contractual acts and other legal grounds.

Its general rules are codified in the Law of Obligations Act (Võlaõigusseadus). The Act provides the framework for the creation, content, interpretation, performance, and termination of obligations. It also addresses remedies, assignment of claims, and statutes of limitations, as well as rules on fault and liability.

Obligations may arise from contracts (contractual obligations), from delicts (non-contractual liability for harm), or from unjust enrichment. The content of an obligation includes what must be done, how, when, and at what price. Good faith, reasonable behavior, and the permissible scope of performance are guiding principles.

When performance is not timely or does not occur, the creditor may seek remedies such as damages to compensate losses, interest on late payments, specific performance, price reduction, or termination of the contract. The law distinguishes between defective performance, non-performance, and avoidance, and it provides rules for calculation of damages and mitigation of loss.

Obligations can be extinguished by performance, agreement, termination, or the passage of time. Rights and obligations may be assigned, and guarantees or collateral can secure performance. Prescription rules limit the period within which claims may be brought, ensuring legal certainty.

Võlaõigus forms a central part of private law in Estonia and interacts with commercial and consumer protections. It provides the general framework for how individuals and businesses create, enforce, and extinguish obligations.