Former Nove Founding Partner Partner Urmas Volens has left that Estonian law firm to become a new member of the Civil Chamber of the Riigikohus — Estonia's Supreme Court — replacing retiring Judge Henn Joks.
From 1998 to 2009, Volens held various positions in the Estonian Ministry of Justice, the last four years as Deputy Secretary General and Head of Legal Policy Department.
From 2010 to 2016, he practiced in the Tallinn office of Sorainen, before co-founding Nove in March of 2016. Since 2015, he has also been an Associate Professor of Civil Proceedings at the Faculty of Law of the University of Tartu.
"Volens is one of the best experts in private law in Estonia and thus an excellent addition to the Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court," said Villu Kove, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, adding "it is important to me that different views are represented in the Supreme Court and Volens helps to bring an external view here."
"Being appointed to the Supreme Court is a great honor for me," Volens commented, "and I hope to be able to contribute to the development of Estonian Civil Law. I also hope to use my experience and knowledge to help resolve civil disputes in the most efficient and fair manner."
Volens' candidacy was supported by 68 members of the Riigikogu — the Estonian Parliament —with 19 voting against and two abstentions. It is a lifetime appointment. There are 19 judges in the Supreme Court.