Successful Representation of Karl Jakob Hein Before the Harju County Court
Case
The Harju County Court fully satisfied the appeal filed by Estonian national football team goalkeeper Karl Jakob Hein to annul the EUR 800 misdemeanor fine imposed by the police. RASK Attorney-at-Law Andrei Svištš, who represented the client, proved to the court that the police had made a legal error in assessing the validity of the driver’s license, by incorrectly concluding that the driving right acquired in the United Kingdom was not valid in Estonia.
During the court proceedings, RASK submitted evidence confirming that Mr Hein had been permanently resident in the United Kingdom at the time of acquiring his driving licence. Consequently, the driving right obtained there is also valid in Estonia. The court found the fine to be unlawful, annulled the misdemeanor decision, and ordered the state to reimburse procedural costs in the amount of EUR 4,581.33. The paid fine will be refunded to the client.
This decision, which clarifies judicial practice, provides important guidance on assessing the validity of driving licences in misdemeanour proceedings, emphasising the significance of an individual’s actual place of residence and permanent stay when determining the validity of driving rights acquired abroad.
During the court proceedings, RASK submitted evidence confirming that Mr Hein had been permanently resident in the United Kingdom at the time of acquiring his driving licence. Consequently, the driving right obtained there is also valid in Estonia. The court found the fine to be unlawful, annulled the misdemeanor decision, and ordered the state to reimburse procedural costs in the amount of EUR 4,581.33. The paid fine will be refunded to the client.
This decision, which clarifies judicial practice, provides important guidance on assessing the validity of driving licences in misdemeanour proceedings, emphasising the significance of an individual’s actual place of residence and permanent stay when determining the validity of driving rights acquired abroad.