Riigi Teataja

Dear friend of Riigi Teataja,

Like the whole Republic of Estonia, Riigi Teataja is also celebrating its 100th birthday. The first issue of Riigi Teataja was published on 27 November 1940. In 1940, the publishing of Riigi Teataja stopped, but between two occupation periods, in September 1944, the Cabinet led by Otto Tief managed to publish one issue of Riigi Teataja.

In cooperation with the National Library, the Ministry of Justice has made issues of Riigi Teataja published between 1918-1944 available in the DIGAR’s collection of Estonian articles in order to celebrate the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia and Riigi Teataja.

Until recently, issues of Riigi Teataja published from 1918 to 1940 have been available for use only in the form of rare individual copies. The number of copies is limited, as is access to these copies.

From now on, those interested have access to and can find inspiration in the pre-war legal order in their future endeavours.

Riigi Teataja is not a magazine or journal. It is a constitutional institution that forms the last stage of the legislative process. Under subsection 2 of § 3 of the Constitution, only published laws have binding force. Publication is the prerequisite and condition for the existence of the law.

As a channel for the publication of laws, Riigi Teataja, is specified in all the past and present versions of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia: in § 54 of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia adopted by the Estonian Constituent Assembly on 15 June 1920; in § 54 of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia Amendment Act adopted in a referendum held 14-16 October 1933; in § 100 of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia adopted by the National Assembly on 28 July 1937; and in § 108 of the Constitution adopted in a referendum held on 28 June 1992.