On June 14, a meeting of administrative judges of all court instances was held in the Supreme Court. During the meeting, the judges discussed current legal issues, paying special attention to the efficiency of the administrative procedure.

The judges agreed that the effectiveness of legal proceedings depends on the application of legal norms according to their purpose, and formal application of legal norms is not permissible. The so-called pilot case procedure was also discussed, namely how to most effectively organize court work and exchange of information between courts in the event that there are several uniform cases pending before the court that deal with a legal issue regarding which the case law has not yet been established.

The meeting was organized and headed by senators of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Senate (Supreme Court), and the questions for discussion were submitted by the administrative judges of all court instances. Therefore, the content of the meeting is as traditionally a joint effort of administrative judges of all court instances.

62 administrative judges of all court instances participated in the discussion. Judges who could not participate in person participated remotely. The judges recognized that the meeting was mutually enriching. Having summarized the discussion, one of the judges admitted that cases are indeed different, but the basic values must be remembered. The judges were also grateful for the possibility of meeting in person again after the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the judges were invited to disseminate the animation films about courts, judges and court cases developed by the Supreme Court, so that they can reach a wider audience. The aim of the films is to encourage understanding of court work. The primary audience for films is schoolchildren, but they can be equally interesting to young people and adults. The Supreme Court has already shown these films at the Museum Night and the LAMPA Conversation Festival, while since June 12 they have also been made public on the YouTube channel of the Supreme Court.

After the meeting, the judges of the Administrative District Court and the Administrative Regional Court enjoyed the guided tour of the Supreme Court accompanied by Rasma Zvejniece, the head of the Communication Division of the Supreme Court.

The meeting of administrative judges of all instance courts has become an annual tradition, which was also organized during the Covid-19 pandemic in a remote setting.

 

Information prepared by Senate’s Department of Administrative Cases

Additional information: Rasma Zvejniece, Head of the Communication Division; rasmazvejniece@at.gov.lv; +371 67020396, +371 28652211