Judges and Attorneys in interaction

The Professional activity and the relations between judges and advocates in Latvia not only once have aroused contemplation and even passions. To find a solution how to better professional ethics, behaviour and cooperation of the judicial officials and to find new ways how to strengthen the disciplinary accountability of judges and advocates, the Supreme Court and the American Board of Trial Advocates were organizing conference “Judges and attorneys in interaction: the commonalities and the differences in Latvia and American legal systems” on the 8th and 9th of June. We were also discussing judgments – not understandable for the society, and things we should do to better the prestige of judiciary.
On the second Conference day there was a possibility to observe a trial, which was chaired by Wendel Mortimer, Judge from USA and Gunars Aigars, Chairman of the Civil Cases Chamber. It was a great possibility to acquaint with the American judicial principles and the performance of sworn jury.
The American Board of Trial Advocates was represented by 15 high level judges and attorneys. The chairmen of all regional (city) and district courts, Constitutional court judges, and, of course, judges and senators from the Supreme Court were also present there. The Bar was represented by the leading law offices’ advocates, advocates from regions and individual practitioners. In the Conference participated also the European Community first Instance Court judge Ingrida Labucka.
 

Programme

Programme of conference first day

Programme of conference second day
 

Participiants

Participiants list second day

Participiants list first discussion

Participiants list second discussion

Participiants list third discussion
 

Synopsis

Case Synopsis
 

Speech

Professional Ethics, Behaviour and Liability of Judges and Advocates" [in Latvian]
Andris Gulans, Chief Justice
 

News

Latvian and American attorneys and judges – the beginning of discussion

  • Paskaidrojums 1

  • Paskaidrojums 2

    Court meeting was directed by judge
    Vendel Mortimer from Los Angeles

  • Paskaidrojums 3

    Dr. Andrejs Millers discussing the
    defense strategy with the defendant
    Charles Zimmermann

  • Paskaidrojums 4

    Michael Callahan - attorney from
    USA and John Phelps – President
    of ABOTA getting acquainted with
    the case materials

  • Paskaidrojums 5

    Dr.Anda Nulle (in the screen) during
    the cross – examination trying to
    defend plaintiff’s position

  • Paskaidrojums 6

    Plaintiff Toms Bernhards (at table in
    the middle) and his Legal teem