Environment and Spatial Planning
The attorneys at RASK law firm are uniquely experienced advisers in environmental law and planning law. Their expertise stems from precedent-setting environmental law cases and complex legal analyses prepared for both businesses and public authorities. RASK’s attorneys take a strategic approach to advising the state, entrepreneurs, and local governments.
Field information
Environmental law and planning law is one of RASK’s core practice areas, in which the firm has diverse experience and strong expertise. RASK is a valued partner for ministries in reviewing legislation, for entrepreneurs in their development activities, and for local governments in spatial planning. RASK’s long-term clients also include various environmental non-governmental organizations, professional associations, and civil society organizations. Thanks to advising such a diverse client base over many years, the firm has gained unique knowledge, skills, and expertise. As a result, RASK’s attorneys are not only skilled litigators in individual disputes but also strategic partners and trusted advisers, able to think alongside their clients and tailor their approach to their clients’ specific needs.
In larger-scale projects, RASK supports clients from the initial concept development through to project implementation, as well as in resolving day-to-day legal matters. When necessary, we represent clients in litigation or out-of-court negotiations related to major projects.
It is worth noting that the portfolio of RASK’s attorneys includes an exceptionally large number of disputes that have reached the Supreme Court of Estonia. More precisely, RASK’s attorneys have gained experience by advising and representing clients in more than thirty different Supreme Court cases, ranging from environmental law and spatial planning disputes to tax law matters. This record of achievements is a testament to the firm’s competence and reliability. Over the years, the firm’s team has played an important role in shaping the interpretations and practices of Estonian public law.
This exceptional contribution to the development of planning law has been recognised by the Estonian Association of Spatial Planners, which in spring 2025 awarded RASK the special recognition of “Best Paragraph 2025.” In doing so, the Association described RASK’s public law team and its head, Villy Lopman, as a supporter of spatial planners “who sees connections and creates a coherent picture from the maze of legal provisions.”
Advisory Areas:
1. Spatial Planning
RASK is a leading legal adviser in the field of planning law, with extensive experience in all legal issues and disputes related to spatial planning. We have comprehensive expertise in matters concerning designated, comprehensive, and detailed spatial plans, including their initiation and preparation. We advise clients on implementing, amending, supplementing, or repealing spatial plans. We have assisted clients in interpreting and assessing the legality of various spatial planning conditions (such as land-use designations, noise categories, green networks, valuable landscapes, and prime agricultural land), including preparing objections and proposals during spatial planning procedures. Our attorneys also advise on building design specifications procedures and prepare legal analyses for various spatial planning solutions.
2. Construction
RASK has extensive and diverse experience in construction law, advising and representing clients at all stages of construction projects. We have advised and represented clients in applying for building permits, occupancy permits, and occupancy notices, including in litigation and negotiations. We also advise on amending existing building and occupancy permits, converting temporary construction work into permanent structures, and obtaining building rights in areas subject to nature protection restrictions. Our experience includes advising clients on the appropriateness of approvals on conditions from various authorities, as well as, within the framework of regulatory enforcement procedures, providing assessments on the legality of demolition orders, among other matters. We prepare legal analyses on the regularisation of existing buildings and on the legality of buildings prior to property acquisition.
3. Environment
RASK offers a wide range of advisory services on environmental law issues. We assist clients in applying for environmental permits, environmental impact assessments (EIA, SEA, Natura assessments), and in procedures for placing natural sites under local protection. Our attorneys have significant expertise in shoreline and waterfront restrictions (e.g., applying for building permits in no-build zones, seeking reductions in no-build zones, and managing forestry restrictions in restricted management zones). We represent clients in negotiations with authorities as well as in numerous court disputes concerning issues such as excessive noise, air pollution, logging restrictions, green network protection, and mineral exploration and extraction. We also advise on water and marine protection, as well as hunting-related matters, including preparing contracts for transferring forest felling rights.
4. Nationally Significant Energy and Infrastructure Projects
RASK is a key partner for developers, the state, and local governments in procedures relating to the development of onshore and offshore wind farms, solar parks, and other nationally significant facilities. We assist in resolving matters connected to spatial planning, environmental impact assessments, and administrative contracts. Our attorneys have advised on local government special plans in at least seven different municipal territories.
5. Negotiations
RASK advises clients on negotiations with public authorities, neighbouring landowners, and environmental non-governmental organizations regarding a variety of permits and procedures. These negotiations may involve concluding administrative contracts, compensating for negative impacts or disturbances, remedying infringements of fundamental rights, or addressing expropriation situations.
6. Recognised Trainer and Sector Partner
RASK’s environmental law and planning law advisers contribute to the preparation of nationally significant analyses and plans in the field, including:
In larger-scale projects, RASK supports clients from the initial concept development through to project implementation, as well as in resolving day-to-day legal matters. When necessary, we represent clients in litigation or out-of-court negotiations related to major projects.
It is worth noting that the portfolio of RASK’s attorneys includes an exceptionally large number of disputes that have reached the Supreme Court of Estonia. More precisely, RASK’s attorneys have gained experience by advising and representing clients in more than thirty different Supreme Court cases, ranging from environmental law and spatial planning disputes to tax law matters. This record of achievements is a testament to the firm’s competence and reliability. Over the years, the firm’s team has played an important role in shaping the interpretations and practices of Estonian public law.
This exceptional contribution to the development of planning law has been recognised by the Estonian Association of Spatial Planners, which in spring 2025 awarded RASK the special recognition of “Best Paragraph 2025.” In doing so, the Association described RASK’s public law team and its head, Villy Lopman, as a supporter of spatial planners “who sees connections and creates a coherent picture from the maze of legal provisions.”
Advisory Areas:
1. Spatial Planning
RASK is a leading legal adviser in the field of planning law, with extensive experience in all legal issues and disputes related to spatial planning. We have comprehensive expertise in matters concerning designated, comprehensive, and detailed spatial plans, including their initiation and preparation. We advise clients on implementing, amending, supplementing, or repealing spatial plans. We have assisted clients in interpreting and assessing the legality of various spatial planning conditions (such as land-use designations, noise categories, green networks, valuable landscapes, and prime agricultural land), including preparing objections and proposals during spatial planning procedures. Our attorneys also advise on building design specifications procedures and prepare legal analyses for various spatial planning solutions.
2. Construction
RASK has extensive and diverse experience in construction law, advising and representing clients at all stages of construction projects. We have advised and represented clients in applying for building permits, occupancy permits, and occupancy notices, including in litigation and negotiations. We also advise on amending existing building and occupancy permits, converting temporary construction work into permanent structures, and obtaining building rights in areas subject to nature protection restrictions. Our experience includes advising clients on the appropriateness of approvals on conditions from various authorities, as well as, within the framework of regulatory enforcement procedures, providing assessments on the legality of demolition orders, among other matters. We prepare legal analyses on the regularisation of existing buildings and on the legality of buildings prior to property acquisition.
3. Environment
RASK offers a wide range of advisory services on environmental law issues. We assist clients in applying for environmental permits, environmental impact assessments (EIA, SEA, Natura assessments), and in procedures for placing natural sites under local protection. Our attorneys have significant expertise in shoreline and waterfront restrictions (e.g., applying for building permits in no-build zones, seeking reductions in no-build zones, and managing forestry restrictions in restricted management zones). We represent clients in negotiations with authorities as well as in numerous court disputes concerning issues such as excessive noise, air pollution, logging restrictions, green network protection, and mineral exploration and extraction. We also advise on water and marine protection, as well as hunting-related matters, including preparing contracts for transferring forest felling rights.
4. Nationally Significant Energy and Infrastructure Projects
RASK is a key partner for developers, the state, and local governments in procedures relating to the development of onshore and offshore wind farms, solar parks, and other nationally significant facilities. We assist in resolving matters connected to spatial planning, environmental impact assessments, and administrative contracts. Our attorneys have advised on local government special plans in at least seven different municipal territories.
5. Negotiations
RASK advises clients on negotiations with public authorities, neighbouring landowners, and environmental non-governmental organizations regarding a variety of permits and procedures. These negotiations may involve concluding administrative contracts, compensating for negative impacts or disturbances, remedying infringements of fundamental rights, or addressing expropriation situations.
6. Recognised Trainer and Sector Partner
RASK’s environmental law and planning law advisers contribute to the preparation of nationally significant analyses and plans in the field, including:
- Acting as legal experts in the preparation of the new national spatial plan “Estonia 2050” and in the designated national spatial plan for the Haljala–Kukruse 2+2 highway section;
- Preparing a comprehensive legal analysis for the National Audit Office regarding the Rail Baltic project (2017);
- Conducting, together with Roheplaan OÜ, a comparative case study for the government on significant recent changes and reforms in spatial planning systems and planning law in peer countries, to adapt to major trends and emerging challenges (2023);
- Advising the Ministry of Climate’s working group on housing accessibility (since 2024);
- Contributing to the joint University of Tartu and Estonian Academy of Arts study aimed at developing an affordable housing policy for Tallinn (2025);
- Providing training to local governments, spatial planners, and developers on planning and environmental law topics.
Head of Practice - Villy Lopman
Villy Lopman is one of Estonia’s leading advisers in environmental law and planning law, particularly in negotiations with public authorities and in state-related court disputes.
Villy has extensive experience advising various local governments, frequently representing spatial planners, environmental non-governmental organizations, and interest groups in dealings with local governments as well as the Environmental Board, and assisting ministries in identifying legislative inconsistencies.
Villy has extensive experience advising various local governments, frequently representing spatial planners, environmental non-governmental organizations, and interest groups in dealings with local governments as well as the Environmental Board, and assisting ministries in identifying legislative inconsistencies.
Recent news
- RASK supports the Matsalu Nature Film Festival
- Villy Lopman: There are no solutions to increase the availability of homes in Estonia
- Hendrikson DGE and law firm RASK joined forces
- Villy Lopman: landowners and local residents have the right to challenge higher-level plans
- Writing for the legal journal Juridica, Sandra Kaas examines the role and responsibility of administrative authorities in assessing the environmental impact of activities affecting Natura 2000 areas
Recent news
- RASK supports the Matsalu Nature Film Festival
- Villy Lopman: There are no solutions to increase the availability of homes in Estonia
- Hendrikson DGE and law firm RASK joined forces
- Villy Lopman: landowners and local residents have the right to challenge higher-level plans
- Writing for the legal journal Juridica, Sandra Kaas examines the role and responsibility of administrative authorities in assessing the environmental impact of activities affecting Natura 2000 areas