Sandra Kaas
Sandra is a leading expert in construction, planning, and environmental law. She has extensive experience in legal matters related to spatial planning and environmental, building, and use permits, including resolving disputes and communicating with administrative authorities in these matters.
Sandra has represented clients in a wide range of court disputes, including several landmark cases heard by the Supreme Court of Estonia, which have played a key role in shaping planning and environmental law in Estonia.
She regularly advises clients on complex and large-scale development projects, providing support throughout the entire process — from initiating proceedings to addressing environmental impact assessments and regulatory approvals, through to project completion.
Sandra has deep expertise in environmental legal issues and disputes, including those concerning nature conservation, air and noise pollution, green network protection, forestry, and the exploration and extraction of mineral resources. As part of her academic research, she has also examined the roles and responsibilities of administrative authorities and developers in environmental impact assessments involving Natura 2000 areas.
She also advises clients on matters of state liability and constitutional review, and has supported ministries in identifying legislative inconsistencies in the field of spatial planning and in drafting new legal amendments.
Currently, Sandra is contributing as a legal expert to the development of the new national spatial plan „Estonia 2050".
Public appearances
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Attorneys Sandra Kaas and Villy Lopman spoke at the online seminar of the Estonian Association of Spatial Planners, where a recent Supreme Court judgment related to the comprehensive plan of Kose municipality was discussed.
Media
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Attorneys: Slow Building Permit Procedures Harm Property Rights and Urban Planning
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Attorneys Explain: How to Legalize an Unauthorized Outbuilding Instead of Demolishing It?
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Sandra Kaas and Elvi Tuisk in Maaleht: Registration of Forest Notices Must Become More Transparent
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Attorneys Explain: There Is No Such Thing as Completely Rule-Free Construction Activity
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Legal Experts: How to Protect Your Rights When Roadworks in the Capital Have Made Access to Your Business Premises Impossible?
- Writing for the legal journal Juridica, Sandra Kaas examines the role and responsibility of administrative authorities in assessing the environmental impact of activities affecting Natura 2000 areas
- Sandra Kaas and Villy Lopman: A new era has begun in protecting the green network