1. HOW CONSOLIDATED TEXTS GET THEIR LEGAL FORCE ESTONIAN EXPERIENCE
Brussels, 17 May 2017
Margit Lauri

2. HISTORY 1918 First state gazette (Riigi Teataja)
Publication discontinues
Publication continues
State gazette goes online
1 June Electronic state gazette becomes official, consolidated texts obtain legal force
Publication of the paper version ends
Consolidated texts published along with amending instruments
Consolidated texts of regulations of all local authorities published

3. The Riigi Teataja Act provides for:
organisation of publication
published consolidated texts
legal force of consolidated texts
Instruments of which consolidated texts are made:
Acts
Cabinet regulations, ministers’ regulations, decrees of the governor of the central bank
Regulations of local authorities
By way of exception, of the resolutions of the Riigikogu (Parliament) and Cabinet (Government)

4. RULES OF CONSOLIDATED TEXTS
The in-force status of law is maintained using consolidated texts published in the state gazette.
The consolidated text contains validity details.
You can view the versions of legal instruments that are no longer in force or that will enter into force in the future.
The publisher of the state gazette was involved in establishing legislative drafting rules that allow for making all amendments to the consolidated text.
The legislative drafting rules ensure that all amendments fit in the consolidated text.
The author of a consolidated text must closely follow the amendment instruction of the issuer of the instrument. Consolidated texts are examined before publication.
An amending instrument is not published without the consolidated text and it does not enter into force.
The state gazette search system gives preference to a search among consolidated texts.
Additional data is added to consolidated texts.
All consolidated texts receive a digital stamp upon publication.

5. KEEPING ACTS UP TO DATE “TIME MACHINE OF LAW”
You can view the versions of legal instruments that are no longer in force or that will enter into force in the future.
In force from: In force until:
In force from: In force until:
In force from: In force until:

6. AMENDMENTS CONSOLIDATED TEXT
Issuer: Riigikogu Type of Legal Instrument: Act Type of Text: Original text
Issuer: Riigikogu Type of Legal Instrument: Act Type of Text: Consolidated text
Date of Entry into Force : Publication Citations : RT I , 15
Date of Entry into Force of the Version: Expiry Date of the Version:
Date of Entry into Force of the Version: Expiry Date of the Version: Currently in force Public Citations: RT I , 16
Amendment of Public Holidays and Days of National Importance Act
Public Holidays and Days of National Importance Act
§ 1. The national day and a day of rest is: 24 February, Independence Day and anniversary of the Republic of Estonia.
§ 1. The following subsection 31 is inserted in section 3 of the Act
§ 2. Public holidays and days of rest are: 1) 1 January – New Year’s Day 2) Good Friday; 3) Easter Sunday;
«31) 4 June – Flag Day;».
§ 2. This Act enters into force on the day following publication in the Riigi Teataja.
§ 3. The days of national importance are: 1) 6 January - Epiphany; 2) 2 February – Anniversary of Tartu Peace Treaty; 3) second Sunday in May – Mother’s Day;
4) 14 June – Day of Mourning; 5) 2 November – All Souls’ Day; 6) the second Sunday in November – Fathers’ Day; 7) 16 November – Day of Declaration of Sovereignty.
RT I , 15 – entry into force

7. SEARCH
You can select a date
SEARCH RESULTS

8. INFORMATION ADDED UPON PUBLISHING
Consolidated texts are accompanied by additional information that is chronologically transferred to subsequent versions
EUROVOC KEYWORDS
SYSTEMIC CLASSIFICATION OF ACTS
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
IMPLEMENTING INSTRUMENTS
RUSSIAN TRANSLATION
INTERMEDIATE BODIES
EU LAW
COURT JUDGMENTS AND ORDERS
PROCEDURAL INFORMATION
DATABASES
DIGITAL STAMP

9. RELATED COURT DECISIONS

10. COMPARING CONSOLIDATED TEXTS

11. MY STATE GAZETTE Possible to subscribe to:
translations of consolidated texts
legal news
published texts
procedural information on draft legislation
summaries of court decisions
court decisions (judgments and orders)

12. DRAWING UP AND PUBLISHING CONSOLIDATED TEXTS
Consolidated texts are prepared mainly by the publisher of the state gazette.
Issuers of regulations publish their consolidated texts on their own.
The publisher of the state gazette determines the methodology for preparation of consolidated texts.
If a consolidated text that has not entered into force yet is amended, the new consolidated text will be published and the formerly published consolidated text will be automatically marked as a version that has not entered and will not enter into force.
The obligation to submit the consolidated text is determined on the basis of the amending instrument and sent automatically to the person who draws up the consolidated text.
The publisher checks all the prepared consolidated texts.
Consolidated texts are made using VexPro XML tool.

13. GENERAL TIMETABLE FOR PUBLISHING CONSOLIDATED TEXTS
Seven working days for publishing. In reality, published faster, within 2-4 days.
The instrument is submitted via a secure channel in a digitally signed form within one working day following signature.
If necessary, conversion to xml format: 1 working day
If necessary, send request to submit consolidated texts made based on amending instruments: 1 working day
Consolidated texts are made or requested from the submitter: up to 2 working days
It is verified whether the consolidated text matches with the amending instrument:
up to 2 working days
Data on entry into force and additional data is added, all consolidated texts are published at the same time as the amending instrument.
English translations of acts are usually published before the up-to-date version of the consolidated text enters into force.

14. VexPro Visual Editor for XML
Adjusted for drawing up consolidated texts.
Freeware developed for the state gazette.
Allows for automatically adding attributes characteristic of a consolidated text in line with the scheme.

15. BENEFITS FOR USERS ‘One-stop-shop’ for entire legislation.
Subscribe to all consolidated texts.
Everyone can rely on consolidated texts published in the state gazette.
It is all free of charge.

16. STATISTICS
documents annually, including consolidated texts
250 authorities
My State Gazette service is used by 4000 people throughout the year
Queries from 7 million servers are made to the State Gazette
7 employees

17. YOU! THANK USERS FROM 223 COUNTRIES www.riigiteataja.ee