The Estonian Legal system derives from the ROMANO-GERMANIC legal system, common to continental Europe as well as to many other countries of the world (e.g. Japan). The Constitution of Estonia was adopted on 28 June 1992.
Legislative power is exercised by Parliament (Riigikogu). The laws adopted by Parliament should be proclaimed by the President.
Judicial power is to be exercised solely by courts. Judges are appointed for a lifetime so as to guarantee their independence. The court system has 3 stages:
- county and city courts and the administrative courts
- district courts
- The National Court
The DISTRICT COURTS act as courts of appeal and review the decisions of the courts of first instance.
