We are on the right track – says Veronika Krūmiņa, Chair of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Senate, when speaking about the development of administrative courts in the latest issue of journal Jurista Vārds (Lawyer’s Word). The double issue of the journal, compiled by the Department in collaboration with the journal's editorial office, is devoted to administrative law and to administrative court.

The thematic issue consists of three sections – the administrative procedure in the interwar period, the drafting of the Administrative Procedure Law and current issues of administrative law and procedure.

Looking back at the history of administrative justice, Inga Bērtaite-Pudāne, a legal research counsel of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Senate, outlines in two articles the development of administrative justice and the administrative procedure in Latvia, promoting exploration of historical roots, as well as looking for similarities and differences between the interwar period and nowadays. It is especially analyzed what was meant by rights and interests as the basis of the right of application in the case law of the Administrative Department of the Senate and in the doctrine of law in the interwar period and how it is understood today.

In the column Fates of Lawyers Rasma Zvejniece's description of one of the founders of administrative justice – Jānis Kalacs, who was the senator of the Administrative Department of the Latvian Senate and the chair of the said Department.

In order to preserve evidence of the drafting of the Administrative Procedure Law after the restoration of Latvia's independence, Jānis Geks, a legal research counsel, interviewed eight drafters of the Law. The film “Man, State, Judge. Administrative Court” and excerpts from the interviews also are included in the latest issue of Jurista Vārds.

In the third part of the journal, judges and employees of all three instances of the administrative courts have joined forces, providing a broad insight into the current issues of administrative law and procedure. Arlita Zariņa writes on chairing the court hearing. Laura Konošonoka elaborates on examination and evaluation of evidence. Anita Kovaļevska and Laura Bugne speak about the application for actual action. Monta Krone focuses on the role of administrative court in ensuring and protection of human dignity. Aiga Putniņa and Aldis Černajs – on implementation of the principle of procedural effectiveness. Līga Biksiniece-Martinova addresses the interaction of administrative court case law with the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.

Having summarized the topicalities included in the journal, Veronika Krūmiņa, Chair of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Senate, concludes that "in the context of today's challenges, the values ​​of the rule of law – especially human dignity and justice, are the driving force of administrative courts."

This special issue of Jurista Vārds marks the end of a special festive year for administrative courts, marking two anniversaries - 100 years since the adoption of the Law on Administrative Courts, which laid the foundation for the development of administrative justice in Latvia, and 20 years since the adoption of the modern Administrative Procedure Law, which provides for the implementation of principles of state governed by the rule of law following the restoration of Latvia's independence. The journal also reviews the events that took place during the festive year.

The preparation of the issue was coordinated by Līga Dāce, assistant to the senator of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Senate.

 

Information prepared by

Rasma Zvejniece, the Head of the Division of Communication of the Supreme Court

E-mail: rasma.zvejniece@at.gov.lv, telephone: +371 67020396, +371 286522