
Now in its 10th year, the competition aims to draw public and legislative attention to the importance of high-quality lawmaking. This year, the focus is on fostering a more competitive legal environment and reducing bureaucracy. In the Best Law category, the competition recognises laws aimed at reducing bureaucracy or administrative burdens (e.g., simplification of permits or approval processes). Meanwhile, the Worst Law category highlights laws that have increased administrative burdens or bureaucracy.
The jury, consisting of representatives from the Estonian Service Industry Association, the Estonian Lawyers Association, and the editorial team of Äripäev, invites the public to submit reasoned proposals by 31 January 2025 to info@teenusmajandus.ee.
According to jury chair Allar Jõks, a board member of the Estonian Service Industry Association and sworn attorney, “It is a well-acknowledged fact that fewer bureaucratic procedures, permits, and unnecessary requirements lead to lower public costs and a better business climate.”
The renewed government coalition agreement from summer 2024 between the Reform Party (RE), Social Democratic Party (SDE), and Estonia 200 (E200) includes commitments to:
- Implement a rule requiring that for every new administrative burden on businesses, an existing requirement must be repealed.
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Reduce reporting obligations and inspections for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Jõks emphasised that the Association, in cooperation with the public, media, and business organisations, seeks to scrutinise these promises to ensure that the establishment of any new administrative burdens is conditioned upon the repeal of existing ones. “Our nine years of experience with this competition demonstrate that many promises are quickly forgotten when a new government takes office. As long as lawmaking is based on the premise that entrepreneurs are untrustworthy and citizens are ignorant, it will be impossible to curb the proliferation of regulations,” said Jõks.
About the Principles of Good Lawmaking
The Estonian Service Industry Association introduced the Principles of Good Lawmaking in 2010 to safeguard constitutional rights and freedoms, increase legislative transparency, and enhance Estonia’s competitiveness. The principles emphasise that:
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Legislative actions must align with public interests, not narrowly serve the interests of specific parties, members, or supporters.
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The legislative process must be predictable and open.
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Decisions in lawmaking must be transparent and well-justified. The more significant the change, the more thorough the reasoning should be.
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Stakeholder involvement should follow clear and formalised procedures, covering the draft’s development intentions, conceptual framework, and final text.
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Laws must fit within Estonia’s legal system and be internationally competitive, avoiding the introduction of legally impractical solutions.
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Laws must be effective, requiring a thorough impact assessment during their drafting and evaluation of predictions after implementation.
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Laws must be clear and unambiguous, written in plain, concise language for their primary audience.
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Legal changes must not be arbitrary or inconsistent, and sufficient time must be allowed for implementation.
About the Estonian Service Industry Association
Founded in 2010, the Estonian Service Industry Association represents the knowledge-based business community in Estonia. Its members are companies whose primary assets are people, expertise, and high-value-added services. The membership primarily includes innovative businesses from the IT, technology, medical, financial, legal, consultancy, and creative sectors.
The Association values forward-looking ideas, innovative business models, skilled people, excellent service design, technological solutions, and sustainable development. Members prioritise a modern education system, effective labour and tax policies, and initiatives that position Estonia as an attractive investment destination. The Association has also developed the vision “Self-Sustaining Estonia.”
For further information:
Allar Jõks, Board Member, Estonian Service Industry Association, Sworn Attorney
Phone: +372 504 3666
Email: Allar.Joks@sorainen.com
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