Judge, Criminal Division – Harju County Court

About the role

This is a first-instance judicial post in the Criminal Division of Harju County Court, offered through an open public competition. The judge will hear criminal cases in the capital region, assess the evidence and submissions, and deliver reasoned decisions under the law. The work will involve preparing cases, running hearings in an orderly and fair way, and writing decisions that set out the facts, the law and the reasoning clearly. The role calls for sound legal judgment, independence and the ability to handle a demanding caseload with care. It is a public-facing judicial role in which impartiality, clarity and respect for procedure matter every day. The stated monthly salary for a first-instance judge is 6016.67 euros. Applications close on 13 November 2026.

Responsibilities

Hear and decide criminal cases in the Criminal Division; prepare cases, lead hearings and manage procedural steps; assess evidence and legal submissions carefully; write reasoned judgments and orders; and apply the law impartially and consistently.

Requirements

Candidates must meet the conditions in KS § 47 and § 53 lg 3. The application must state which court judge post or posts are being applied for. Documents required: an application to take part in the judge competition; the candidate personal-data questionnaire available via Riigikohus (www.riigikohus.ee); a copy of a document proving Estonian citizenship; and a copy of the education document and academic transcript. Competition documents must be submitted under the keyword “Kohtuniku konkurss” to the President of the Supreme Court, at Lossi 17, 50093 Tartu or info@riigikohus.ee, by 13.11.2026.

Benefits

First-instance judge salary of 6016.67 euros per month, as stated in the official notice.

Skills