On June 17, Thierry Drack, the First President of the Court of Appeal of Noumea (New Caledonia) visited the Supreme Court on private visit.

In short conversation with the guest, Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, provided insight into Latvian court system and the Supreme Court. Having exchanged information, Chairmen of courts concluded that there were lot of differences, but there were also similar problems – even great desire and opportunities of citizens to litigate, increase of court cases and thus- work load of judges, independence of courts.

The First President of the Court of Appeal of Noumea also visited the museum of the Supreme Court and obtained information about history of Latvian courts.  

Latvia has been motherland of the wife of Thierry Drack, and, visiting her relatives, they used an opportunity to visit the Supreme Court. Chairmen of courts assessed valuable significance of exchange of mutual experience and thought about an opportunity of continuation thereof.  

New Caledonia is group of islands in the Pacific Ocean. Since 1998, former French colony has been special collectivity of France. The court here also has special status -  it is included in French court system, however it partly operates in according with local laws. The Court of Appeal of Noumea is the highest court instance in New Caledonia.  

 

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