Estonia/ Tallinn Circuit Court / 3-23-448
Country
Estonia
Year
Decision/ruling/judgment date
Incident(s) concerned/related
Related Bias motivation
Groups affected
Court/Body type
Court/Body
Key facts of the case
Main reasoning/argumentation
The court determined the marriage lacked sufficient evidence of genuine intent. The lack of cohabitation, limited interaction, and questionable financial relationships between the couple contributed to the denial of residency. The court largely accepted the lower court's findings.
Is the case related to the application of the Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia, the Racial Equality Directive?
Key issues (concepts, interpretations) clarified by the case
The case highlights the burden of proof in establishing genuine marriage for residency purposes and the court's role in reviewing administrative decisions. The court emphasizes the necessity of substantial evidence demonstrating a genuine marital relationship and a shared life beyond the mere formal registration of marriage.
Results (sanctions, outcome) and key consequences or implications of the case
The appeal court upheld the denial of the residency permit and the deportation order. This highlights the stringent requirements for obtaining residency through marriage and the limitations on judicial review of administrative decisions in this area.
Key quotation in original language and its unofficial translation into English with reference details
Olenemata sellest, et abielu registreerimine võis toimuda väga kitsas ringis ning pulmapidu ei peetud, ei saa pidada tavapäraseks, et abikaasad ei ole pidanud vajalikuks abielu sõlmimist mingil viisil jäädvustada (nt kasvõi telefoniga selvefoto tegemisega) ning neil ei ole isegi kaks kuud pärast abiellumist PPA-le esitada muid ühiseid fotosid peale kahel kohtumisel kaubanduskeskuses ja söögikohas tehtud selfide. (para 21) "Regardless of the fact that the marriage registration may have taken place in a very narrow circle and the wedding party was not held, it cannot be considered normal that the spouses did not consider it necessary to record the marriage in any way (e.g. even by taking a selfie with their phone) and they do not even have two months after the marriage to submit joint photos to the PPA other than selfies taken during two meetings in a shopping center and a restaurant."