Estonia's Supreme Court rejects Orthodox church appeal in Tallinn lease dispute

Estonia's Supreme Court on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, brought a years-long dispute between the capital Tallinn and the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church to a close. The church was formerly known as the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. The top court refused to accept the church's cassation appeal, so a ruling confirming that the city acted lawfully has become final.

What the dispute was about

The case concerned commercial premises at 64 Pikk Street in Tallinn, which the church used under an open-ended lease. The administration of Tallinn's Kesklinn district, the city centre, terminated the lease on 17 April 2024. The church challenged the termination in court, asking for it to be declared invalid and for the lease to be confirmed as still in force.

Court decisions

Harju County Court dismissed the church's claim on 29 August 2025, finding that the district administration was entitled to end the lease. The church appealed, but Tallinn Circuit Court upheld the county court's decision on 12 June 2026. On 19 October the Supreme Court's civil chamber declined to take up the cassation appeal, saying there were no grounds provided by law for examining it. That decision cannot be appealed.

Vacating the premises

Tallinn Mayor Peeter Raudsepp said clarity had finally been reached in the drawn-out dispute. According to him, the city acted lawfully in terminating the contract, and the premises it owns will be vacated. He said the district administration would do everything it can to lease them out again as soon as possible.

City officials have held talks with church representatives about leaving the Pikk Street premises. The meetings produced a verbal agreement, and the parties are currently working out the timing of the move.