Person of the week: Priit Pikamäe, new Supreme Court chief

Photo: A.Peegel

Right now, Estonia abounds with festive occasions. Last week, Popular Front celebrated its 25^th birthday. Last year, it was 20 years since regained independence. Many such jubilees are up for state agencies, political movements, even private enterprises. Also, Estonia currently has 380,000 persons i.e. close to third of population, who were born in 1988 or later. Adding those still kids in Soviet times, we get the amount of those whose only experience in life is Republic of Estonia. 

Thus, it is logical that leading posts are about to be filled with people who definitely come under the category of «new generation». Like Elmar Vaher (37), last week appointed candidate for police chief. As well as Priit Pikamäe (39), set forth as candidate for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, indeed, pointed Mr Pikamäe out as «a lawyer of the younger generation». Permit us to declare Mr Pikamäe a hundred per cent «Made in [Republic of] Estonia». Studying law in the Republic of Estonia, making his career in state agencies and, thereafter, in courts of first and second instances, up to Supreme Court. It’s all taken place under our banner of liberty. He carries no load from the former era, historical Marxism, Soviet justice or party membership. He’s brought up by the new legal system.

Contrasting with Märt Rask, who became Chief Justice out of a political background, Mr Pikamäe is an out-and-out judge. He has taken all the steps required: working in Tallinn City Court, then in Tallinn Circuit Court and finally in Supreme Court Criminal College. Having working experience as a judge in all of its aspects: doing the first instance treadmill, second instance corrective and fault-finding stuff, and the highest instance legal philosophy and interpretation of the constitution.

Another difference with Märt Rask was the mistrust he faced from many a judge (let’s recall that Mr Rask was prior to that Minister of Justice, whose activities were interpreted as a desire to bring legal system under Ministry of Justice’s subjection; after entering Chief Justice office, Mr Rask did change his views). With Mr Pikamäe, there are no such fears. For judges, he is «one from among us», a colleague, acquaintance and friend to many.

For an average person, the word «judge» conjures the image of somebody wise and respectable. The reality, of course, being much more multicoloured. In actual life, there are all kinds of judges, like in all professions. There’s the good, the average and the rather bad judges. There’s those who can write good judgements, but don’t get the point of the matter. And others who do get the point but are clumsy at writing judgements. The worst, of course, being not getting the point and being unable to write. And ideally they manage both well. There’s judges who do really well at first and second instance courts, but do admit not having the knowledge of legal theory and philosophy needed at Supreme Court. Then there’s the judges who are indeed competent as professionals, yet have a lousy character – ever weaving intrigues and telling on others. When such undertake to apply for higher posts, all other judges join forces to see that it never happens.

With Mr Pikamäe, luckily, all looks really positive. He has good experience as practicing judge. He has academic experience. He knows the legal system and theory. Colleagues praise his character and behaviour. Looks like Supreme Court is getting itself a good Chief Justice.