e-File and legal proceedings using e-ID (Smart-ID/Mobile-ID)

The e-File system in Estonia, operated by the Ministry of Justice, enables full digital participation in civil, administrative, and criminal court proceedings. All parties to a legal case, residents, lawyers, prosecutors, and court officials, authenticate to the e-File portal through their digital ID credentials. On successful authentication, lawyers can electronically submit pleadings, evidence, and other court documents, and parties can monitor the real-time progress of their case and receive notifications of court decisions and deadlines. All submitted documents are digitally signed with a personal identification number 2 (PIN2), which creates legally binding qualified electronic signatures. The e-File system operates 24/7, which allows legal actions to be filed outside traditional office hours.