We represented a client in a dispute with the Estonian Environmental Board, which had refused to extend a peat extraction permit, despite significant peat remaining unextracted within the existing production area.
As a result of the judicial and administrative proceedings, we achieved an exceptional outcome for the client: during the course of the proceedings, a regulation issued by the Minister of the Environment was amended, enabling the production area to be included in the list of areas suitable for extraction and securing the client’s right to submit a new permit application.
We reached a settlement with the Environmental Board, which was approved by Tallinn Administrative Court. Under the settlement, the board undertook to accept for review the initial application for an environmental permit and confirmed that the grounds previously relied upon for refusing the permit were not applicable. If necessary, the authority will consider granting the permit on a partial basis for up to a year to ensure continued production.
Our services and client team
We advised and represented the client during both the administrative and court proceedings, developing the procedural and dispute resolution strategy and leading settlement negotiations. We coordinated communication with the relevant authorities and the court, and supported the client throughout the entire process.
Our client team consisted of partner Allar Jõks, counsel Britta Retel and senior associate Ulrika Paavle.
