The Chancellor of Justice is an independent official whose duties are to ensure that the legislation valid in Estonia would be constitutional and that the fundamental rights and freedoms of people would be protected.
How can it help you
Legislation is not in conformity with the Constitution and other laws
If you find that legislation is not in conformity with the Constitution or other laws, you have the right of recourse to the Chancellor of Justice to review the conformity of an Act or other legislation of general application with the Constitution or the law.
An official violates your rights
If you find that an authority, an official or a legal person governed by private law performing public duties violates your constitutional rights and freedoms, treats you unlawfully or against the principles of sound administration (e.g. is impolite, unjust, delays in answering or does not reply, gives incomplete or false information), you can turn to the Chancellor of Justice in the duties of an ombudsman with an application for checking the activity of that authority or official.
You are being ill-treated in a closed institution
If you find that you are being ill-treated in a place of restraint you can turn to the Chancellor of Justice as a national preventive mechanism with an application to check the activity of that institution or official. Ill-treatment is torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
You are being discriminated against
If you find that you are being discriminated against by a natural or a legal person governed by private law (e.g. employer) because of your gender, race, nationality, skin colour, language, origin, religion or religious beliefs, political or other opinion, proprietary or social situation, age, disability, sexual orientation or other status named in law, you can turn to the Chancellor of Justice who has the authorities for conducting a conciliation procedure.
You are not satisfied with the activities of a judge
If you find that a judge violates the obligations of his or her office in adjudicating your case, you can submit an application to the Chancellor of Justice. He has the authorities to initiate disciplinary proceedings against judges.
Activities
- Constitutional review
- Protection of fundamental rights
- Protection of the rights of children and youth
- Prevention of ill-treatment
- Submission of his opinion to the Supreme Court in constitutional review proceedings
- Replying to the interpellation of a Member of the Riigikogu
- Replying to written questions of a Member of the Riigikogu
- Making a proposal to waive the immunity
- Initiating a disciplinary proceeding against a judge
- Solving discrimination disputes
- Submission of opinions to the drafts of legislation of general application
More information & Contacts
http://www.oiguskantsler.ee/en
info@oiguskantsler.ee
+372 693 8400
The Office of the Chancellor of Justice
Kohtu Street 8
15193 Tallinn
Estonia