News
Intriguing debates at LEADELL Pilv 25th anniversary conference
Prominent persons at the LEADELL Pilv anniversary conference: In order to achieve the feeling of happiness, we speak directly by using common sense! Less bureaucracy and superficial reforms!
Celebrating the 25th anniversary and move to a new office in Maakri Kvartal, LEADELL Pilv Law Office organised a conference for its clients and cooperation partners. Speakers of the conference were founder and managing partner of the law firm Aivar Pilv, chancellor of justice Ülle Madise, entrepreneur and former minister Raivo Vare, and communication consultant Raul Rebane.
In the opening speech “Where have we reached in 25 years” Aivar Pilv reminded the business and legal environment that existed in 1993 – at the time of establishing the law firm and the following period in the Republic of Estonia; directions and development of legislation, also value judgments that were prevailing in different periods and changes of business environment during last decades. Aivar Pilv also gave an overview of improvements and recent significant changes in the legal services market. Certain attention was drawn to topics that constantly occur upon providing legal services by lawyers: protection of personal rights in public space as well as in media; decline in the established case-law and lack of efficient legal protection; legal risks regarding the protection of personal data and the social media; protection of fundamental rights; and current problems in adversarial criminal proceeding to grant one’s legal protection.
Entrepreneur and former minister Raivo Vare discussed the topic “Common sense and dreamland Estonia”. By describing Estonia and Estonians through numerous old national proverbs, Raivo Vare speculated about the future role of Estonia in the changing world and strongly underlined that Estonians should never forget common sense, and ancient sayings are accurate also nowadays. „Common sense presumes hard work, wisdom and knowledge, general practical rationality with regard to our dreams about the future Estonia. Traditionally Estonia has been the “world champion” of adaption and therefore a delusion has transferred to the present day that by such a simple situational adaption it would be possible to succeed also in the ever more competitive world in the future. Numerous Estonian proverbs have always valued foresight, knowledge and wisdom, which have continuously helped in coping with upcoming or already experienced hardship. We need these sayings also today in order to prevent Estonia from falling into periphery. Thus we must be able to connect with the world economy as widely, diversely and competitively as possible. An alternative would be to play our “little game” in one corner of Europe.” The speech included several examples of Estonian proverbs that would be useful to remember in order to secure overcoming of challenges.
Chancellor of justice Ülle Madise in her intriguing and interesting presentation “Logic, norms and excitement” underlined to the yet active lawmaking in Estonia and annoying controversies in the words and actions of politicians upon restraining bureaucracy. Ülle Madise also emphasized the importance of clear wording in legislation and discussed the balance between logic and excitement in state governance. „Words counter to actions more than ever before, both in Estonia and abroad. Under the slogan of decreasing bureaucracy it is actually increased; instead of lowering the number of state officials, more and more foundations and other institutions are established. Instead of implementing necessary reforms, energy is spent on seemingly relevant issues because it is comfortable and looks important. By quoting professor Rein Taagepera in a debate about state reform, „If we don’t like the picture, we change the frame. And then we are surprised because we still don’t like the picture.“ Chancellor of justice encouraged legal scientists to recognize reforms that are actually relevant for Estonia and support these developments.
Communication consultant Raul Rebane in his speech “Peculiarities of Estonian happiness” emphasised the fact that although Estonia has the 34th ranking in the world based on rational indicators, it is twice behind in emotional criteria (feeling of happiness). According to Raul Rebane, it is a complicated socio-psychological phenomenon that is strongly influencing our daily life and decisions. The speaker stated that although Estonia is doing well (considering all the options), we must seriously deal with the referred phenomenon. Otherwise the upcoming national projects may end before they begin.
The speeches were followed by a debate where three guest speakers discussed the challenges faced by the Estonian society and our responsibility to handle all these challenges.
Guests of LEADELL Pilv 25th anniversary made donations to „Päikeselaager“ – charity project of Tallinn Reval Rotary Club aiming to support children from less secured families. The gathered donations enable to additionally involve 53 children into this project in 2019.
Categories
Subscribe to Leadell's Newsletter
