Judges in Estonia are experiencing significant challenges due to the rising complexity of court cases and a shortage of labor in the judicial system. Reports indicate that the average judge dealing with civil cases is managing around 200 different cases simultaneously, which contributes to longer processing times, sometimes extending to several years. The head of the Harju County Court has highlighted the difficulties in maintaining efficient case management amid such overwhelming numbers, indicating that not all cases can be addressed concurrently, leading to backlogs.

To tackle these issues, various solutions are being considered, including the specialization of judges, increased use of artificial intelligence, and the simplification of judicial processes. These measures aim to streamline court operations and make the system more efficient. However, the challenges posed by the existing workloads are formidable, and there are concerns about whether such initiatives can adequately address the root causes of delays in the judicial system.

The project leader for court reform at the Ministry of Justice, Viljar Peep, has pointed out multiple bottlenecks within the court system that hinder its efficiency. As the situation continues to evolve, the need for comprehensive reform becomes ever more pressing, with the potential implications for how justice is administered in Estonia in the future.