The standard time limits for case review in the Senate approved by the Judicial Council in 2026 are the same as that planned for the previous year: 7 months for civil cases, 4.1 months for criminal cases, and 11.7 months for administrative cases.

This is the planned average time for the examination of all cases. However, the total time until a case is examined also depends on when the assignment sitting takes place, and this waiting period varies. Timeframes differ until the assignment sitting, where it is decided whether the Senate will examine the case in cassation proceedings or refuse to initiate such proceedings; they also differ until the cassation complaint is examined; and separate timeframes apply to the assignment sittings themselves.

In the Department of Civil Cases, the average time for the assignment sitting to take place is planned to be 5 months, for the examination of cassation complaints – 18 months, and for the examination of ancillary complaints – 2.3 months.

In the Department of Criminal Cases, the average time for the assignment sitting to take place is planned to be 3 months, for the examination of cassation complaints – 10 months, and for the examination of complaints – 1 month.

In the Department of Administrative Cases, the average time for the assignment sitting to take place is planned to be 6 months, for the examination of cassation complaints – 24 months, for the examination of ancillary complaints – 3.3 months.

Last year, the actual timeframes for the examination of cases in the Senate differed from the planned limits; for example, civil cases were examined in an average of 4.8 months. However, as the President of the Supreme Court, Aigars Strupišs, noted at a meeting of the Judicial Council, there are circumstances suggesting that case examination may not proceed as quickly this year. Specifically, there is a backlog of cases, one senator’s position in the Department of Civil Cases has been reassigned to the Department of Criminal Cases, and the number of cases heard by the Department in its expanded composition has increased. Consequently, the planned review period for civil cases in the Senate remains the same as in last year’s plan.

Whereas, the actual duration of case review in the Department of Criminal Cases and the Department of Administrative Cases slightly exceeded the planned timeframe last year. As there are no foreseeable changes that could currently affect the work of the Departments, the planned timeframe for the examination of criminal and administrative cases has not been changed.

Overall standards for the examination of court cases in 2026

 

Information prepared by

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

E-mail: rasma.zvejniece@at.gov.lv, telephone: +371 67020396, +371 28652211