President Lennart Meri signed the resolution for the appointment of six judges in Kadriorg today. The candidate judges for Tallinn City Court Kai Härmand, Hannes Kiris, Priit Männik, Märt Toming, and Ele Liiv, as well as the candidate judge for Jõgeva county court Haide Rimmel swore the oath of office to the President of the Republic. The oath was given in the State Council Hall of the Kadriorg Palace, with also the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Uno Lõhmus and the Minister of Justice Märt Rask present.

The President hoped that the fresh judges would not be tempted to split hairs looking for the literal meaning of legal texts, but make right and just decisions, considering also the educating role of the court, humane principles and their own internal sovereignty. As the President said, in Estonia the work of a judge is harder than in Finland, Germany, or America, as those states have a long tradition of the rule of law. The criticism of courts often results from the fact that the courts' decisions do not always reflect the people's inherent sense of fairness and justice. The President wished the judges to have a righteous and just mind.

The six judges received their certificates as well as a photo of the President of the Republic and the instructive words for judges written by Olaus Petri four hundred years ago.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, December 14, 1999

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