Summary

The future of the University of Tartu and of Estonian jurisprudence is inseparable from the future of Estonia and its people. Universities contribute to the development of social consciousness. Full-fledged and meaningful independence is unthinkable without universities. Within the university, jurisprudence in its broadest sense is the basis for social self-consciousness. The relationship between legal theory and case law should constitute the main object of legal research. The method allowing a correct and reliable description of that relationship is also important.
Europe has decided to create a common higher educational system. However, it would be a simplification to treat such development as the harmonisation of national systems. It is a strategic issue for the University of Tartu whether it will be included among research universities of Europe or whether its main role will be confined to meeting the demand of the local labour market. The University of Tartu can fulfil the role of a national university only if it is an internationally competitive research university. This presumes legal education of high standards which cannot be evaluated solely on the basis of compliance with standard accreditation requirements. It is the market rather than accreditation which regulates the higher education landscape. However the influence of the market is slow and expensive.
In the opinion of the Rector of the University of Tartu, graduates of the Law Faculty should primarily be legal intellectuals and social scientists, i.e. jurists in the broad sense. As there will always be tasks that can be performed and problems that can be resolved relying on practical skills and knowledge, there is room for the University of Tartu and for other higher educational establishments teaching law.