õigusallika

An õigusallikas, or source of law, is any document or practice that establishes legal rules and principles within a given legal system. In Estonia, the primary sources of law are the Constitution, statutes passed by the Riigikogu (parliament), regulations issued by the government and ministries, and international treaties ratified by Estonia. The Constitution is the supreme law, and all other legal norms must conform to it. Statutes provide detailed legal provisions on various matters, while regulations offer more specific implementation rules. International treaties become part of the Estonian legal system upon their ratification, provided they do not conflict with the Constitution.

Beyond these formal sources, judicial precedent, particularly decisions of the Supreme Court, plays an influential role in interpreting and applying the law. While not a direct source of law in the same way as statutes, these decisions clarify legal principles and guide lower courts. Customary law, though less significant in modern Estonian law, can still be a source in specific areas where statutes are silent and a long-standing practice exists. The hierarchy of legal sources is crucial for resolving conflicts between norms, ensuring that higher-ranking sources prevail over lower-ranking ones. Understanding the õigusallikas is fundamental to comprehending how laws are created, interpreted, and applied in Estonia.