Valuing the importance of communication and the role of journalists in informing the public, the Supreme Court invited future journalists and communication specialists to the Open Day taking place on May 15. Students of the University of Latvia, Riga Stradiņš University and Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences responded to the invitation, gathering around 40 emerging specialists.

Aigars Strupišs, President of the Supreme Court, introduced students with the work of the Judicial Council and self-government institutions of judges (Judicial Qualification Committee, Judicial Disciplinary Committee, Judicial Ethics Commission). The President spoke about recent public opinion polls, which demonstrate that public trust in courts is gradually improving, and those people who have had a direct contact court work (parties to proceedings) trust in courts the most. At the conclusion of the conversation, Aigars Strupišs emphasized two aspects that both judges and journalists have in common, i.e., objectivity and principles of professional ethics. These aspects are unifying and allow for better understanding and cooperation between each other. In response to the students' question regarding politicians' statements related to courts and their impact on public trust, the President admitted that such statements affect not only the trust in courts, but also in the country. However, the recent dialogue between the branches of state power improves the situation.

In a conversation with Veronika Krūmiņa, Chair of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Senate (Supreme Court), students learned the meaning of legal literacy, why courts are needed, and whether we can trust everything we read. The Senator encouraged young people to put themselves in judge’s shoes and to solve various legal cases, aiming to pass a fair judgement and to ensure observation of human rights. Students showed interest in judge’s daily work and learned about the pace for reviewing court cases in the Senate. Visitors also inquired about the place of orphan's courts within the Latvian court system; the Senator explained that they are not courts, but municipal institutions that take care of observation of children's rights.

Rasma Zvejniece, Head of the Communication Division, spoke about communication tendencies and target audiences of the Supreme Court of Latvia, as well as the work of the Communication Division, which does not only provide internal and external communication, but also carries out educational work and international cooperation.

At the conclusion of the Open Day, students visited the Supreme Court Museum, and premises of historic Palace of Justice.

 

Baiba Kataja, Communication Specialist of the Supreme Court

+371 67020365; e-mail: baiba.kataja@at.gov.lv