The basis of the Supreme Court’s authority is the Satversme (Constitution) of the Republic of Latvia, the Law On Judicial Power, and applicable procedural laws - the Civil Procedure Law, the Criminal Procedure Law, and the Administrative Procedure Law.
Section 6 of the Satversme (Constitution), entitled "The Courts", requires that justice in Latvia be carried out by district (city) courts, by regional courts and by the Supreme Court; that the judges and the justices be independent, and subject only to the laws of the country; that the judges and the justices be confirmed by the Saeima (Parliament) and hold their offices for life. Judges and justices may be removed from office for good cause by the Saeima (Parliament) only, in accordance with the law.
Section 6 of The Law on Judicial Power, entitled "The Supreme Court", regulates the establishment, structure and authority of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court consists of the Senate and two chambers: the Chamber of Civil Cases and the Chamber of Criminal Cases. The full Court forms a Plenary Session of the Supreme Court.
In accordance with the law and the Supreme Court’s internal rules, a Plenary Session of the Supreme Court has the authority to elect the chairpersons of the Senate Departments, to elect the chairpersons of the Supreme Court Chambers, to elect two deputy Chief Justices, as well as to decide other important issues related to the operation of the Court.
