On February 21, the Plenary Session or the general meeting of judges of the Supreme Court decided to advance Aldis Lavins, the judge of the Department of Civil Cases, to the position of a judge of the Constitutional Court.  

33 judges of the Supreme Court voted for Aldis Lavins, and six judges voted for the second candidate – Ludmila Polakova, the judge of the Chamber of Criminal Cases.  

Aldis Lavins grounded his standing with invitation of Gunars Kutris, the former President of the Constitutional Court, who announced it, having assessed previous activity of the judge.  

“Standards set by the Constitutional Court regarding interpretation of legal provisions, understanding of state law are of great authority, I look to them with large respect and great piety. And I am definitely aware that I will have to supplement my knowledge properly till such level. It is great challenge, but it provides opportunities to develop and perfect professional skills”, Aldis Lavins pointed out.

In his turn, Kalvis Torgans, the judge of the Department of Civil Cases, who gave recommendation regarding candidacy of Aldis Lavins, admitted that he did it with dual feelings. On one hand, he understood that it would be good opportunity for the judge to improve, but on the other hand – the Supreme Court also needs such prospective judge. However, understanding that such challenges are not frequent in judge’s office, he provided recommendation to Aldis Lavins and asked the Plenary Session to vote for his candidacy.

Aldis Lavins has discharged duties of a judge since 1999. Until 2003, he had been the judge of Riga city Zemgale Suburb court, in 2003-2004 – the judge of Riga regional court. In 2004, he became the first Chair of the Administrative regional court, and in 2008 he was invited to become the senator in the Supreme Court – at first, in the Department of Administrative Cases, then – in the Department of Civil Cases.

Aldis Lavins graduated from Latvian Police Academy in 1996, acquiring lawyer’s qualification. In 1997, he acquired Master’s degree in Latvian Police Academy, and in 2002 – Master of Social Sciences in Law in the University of Latvia. At present, he studies in Doctoral programme of the University of Latvia. 

To become a judge of the Constitutional Court, the candidate has to receive consent of the Board of Justice and then the Saeima (the Parliament) shall vote for the judge of the Constitutional Court.  

Vacant position appeared in the Constitutional Court, because term of office of Aija Branta, the judge of the Constitutional Court appointed in this office by the Saeima 10 years ago upon recommendation of the Plenary Session of the Supreme Court, expires on March, 24. In accordance with the Constitutional Court Law, the Saeima shall confirm another judge upon proposal of the same institution, which had nominated candidacy of the previous judge.

 

Information prepared by

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

E-mail: rasma.zvejniece@at.gov.lv, telephone: 67020396, 28652211