Session Profile: Madis Timpson

The political position focuses strongly on the efficiency and integrity of the legal system, expressing concern over the long backlogs in administrative cases (two years in Tallinn) and the failure to restore judges' salaries. The speaker defends Estonia as a state governed by the rule of law and emphasizes the political neutrality of the judicial system regarding both right-wing and left-wing views. The focus is results-oriented, stressing the need to solve complex problems step by step. He is skeptical of large structural reforms (such as establishing a Constitutional Court), believing Estonia is too small a country for such undertakings.

The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in court administration, the history of legal reforms (including the establishment of KIS [Court Information System] in the mid-2000s and the 2008–2009 court administration reform), and specific legal bottlenecks (such as consumer credit disputes and state fees for administrative cases). They utilize historical context, reference specific legislative amendments (KrMS — Code of Criminal Procedure), and know exactly which areas face the greatest difficulty in recruiting judges. They emphasize the high educational level of judges and the corresponding high cost of this resource.

The tone is analytical and matter-of-fact, emphasizing the need for quick decisions ("at some point, you need to draw a line and move forward"). The speaker uses logical arguments, relying on facts (e.g., the decline in system efficiency) and personal experience (being an employer). The style is formal, while also including blunt assessments, for example, judges' resources must not be wasted on "fluff" or "trivialities."

The speaker is actively involved in legislative and judicial affairs, specifically referencing the amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure (KrMS) currently under review by the Legal Committee. They mentioned attending the judges' plenary session in Viljandi last Friday, as well as planning a joint committee meeting with Liina Kersna in Tartu this autumn focused on legal education. This clearly demonstrates active engagement in both the legislative process and the organization of professional events.

The speaker takes a stand against those who criticize the judicial system ideologically (a critique stemming from a right-wing worldview) or those who doubt Estonia's commitment to the rule of law. The criticism is particularly sharp towards the state, which has acted "faithlessly" or "broken its word" by failing to reinstate judges' salaries. He also criticizes the misinterpretation of inclusion, which would wrongly assume that 100% of all opinions must be taken into account.

The speaker is willing to cooperate on specific reforms, planning a joint committee session with Liina Kersna regarding legal education. He/She acknowledges the work of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the judges and supports their initiative in resolving consumer credit disputes. He/She emphasizes that involvement means listening and incorporating better ideas, not immediately committing every single wish to paper.

While the primary focus remains on the national legal system, regional issues are highlighted, particularly the two-year backlog at the Tallinn Administrative Court. The speaker broadens the discussion on notary services, stressing the necessity of addressing notaries in the regions as well—specifically naming Viljandi, Võru, and Põlva—rather than focusing solely on those in Tallinn.

The speaker supports abolishing the tax hump, seeing a positive economic impact for those earning the average wage. He/She expresses concern about the disproportionality, noting that a 25-euro state fee allows a factory's planning process to be halted for two years. He/She emphasizes the employer’s perspective: that good employees are held onto tooth and nail.

The primary social concern is the accessibility of justice and the sense that Estonian citizens receive fair treatment in court, which is directly linked to the system's efficiency. Emphasis is also placed on the need for legal education among members of parliament, as the number of lawyers in the Riigikogu is steadily declining.

The legislative focus is currently on processing the amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure (KrMS) within the Legal Committee to accelerate the process, and on resolving consumer credit disputes, where the responsibility lies with the legislature. Additionally, the speaker supports the modernization of the judiciary's IT solutions (AI-based KIS) and the reform of integrated legal studies.