Summary

The article was written in the framework of further training provided for judges in Lübeck Landgericht in Germany, October 2000. The author provides a brief overview of the German judicial system and focuses primarily on the work of Landgericht, which constitutes the first court instance for specific disputes and the second for others. The author examines the judicial organisation issues concerning the hearing of court cases, including the process of hearing and preparing a court case by the parties to the proceeding and the judge. Further, an overview is given of judicial administration, the training, attestation and supervision of judges, and their communication with the press. The author’s evaluation of the visit is positive and the experience gained should provide food for thought in order to reorganise the administration of justice in Estonia in a more efficient way both for the state and the people.