14.10.2022. Conference dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Commercial Law ''An Honest and Careful Landlord in Times of Great Turmoil''
13.10.2022. Parliament confirms Dr. iur. Jānis Pleps as a senator of the Supreme Court
28.09.2022. Opening of the project ''Support for strengthening the capacity of the Supreme Court of Ukraine in the context of European integration''
09.09.2022. Speakers at the centenary conference of the Latvian Constitution ''The Role of the Supreme Court in Strengthening the Values of the Constitution''
31.08.2022. State President's Certificate of Recognition awarded to former Chief Justice Andris Guļāns
31.08.2022. Closing conference of centenary events of administrative justice ''Values and rationality: their limits in society and in the administration of justice''
18.08.2022. Exhibition on Senate's contribution to the Constitution
17.08.2022. In the Garden of Destiny, the Chief Justice plants a tree in memory of State President Alberts Kviesis
29.07.2022. Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Andris Guļāns terminates his judicial duties
02.07.2022. Moot court for children in Themis tent of festival LAMPA
01.07.2022. Duel between judges and politicians "Who needs judicial independence?" at the festival LAMPA
27.06.2022. The Supreme Court of Latvia joins the International Association of Supreme Administrative Jurisdictions
16.06.2022. Parliament approves Senator Jautrīte Briede as judge of the Constitutional Court
06.06.2022. The finalists of the TV show "Gudrs, vēl gudrāks", who answered the questions prepared by the Department of Administrative Cases, visit the Supreme Court
27.05.2022. Opening of the book ''The Senate reads the Constitution''
27.05.2022. Discussion ''Constitution in the hands of a judge''
26.05.2022. Legal research counsels of the Supreme Court gather to exchange experiences and ideas
15.05.2022. About 700 visitors attended the Museum Night at the Supreme Court
03.-05.2022 Senators and employees as messengers of the Constitution met with students in 18 Latvian schools
08.04.2022. State President Egils Levits at the meeting with the Judicial Council
07.04.2022. Chief Justice Aigars Strupišs and newly appointed judges
06.04.2022. Moot court on the Shadow Day lead by Senator Dzintra Balta
04.03.2022. State President Egils Levits meets with Chief Justice Aigars Strupišs and Saeima Legal Affairs Committee Chair Juris Jurašs
26.02.2022. President of the Supreme Court of Ukraine Vsevolod Kniaziev calls for support to Ukraine in the war and addresses the Supreme Courts in the US, Canada and Europe
21.02.2022. Chief Justice Aigars Strupišs and Senator Rudīte Vīduša at the Conference of Supreme Courts of the European Union in the Court of Cassation of France
11.02.2022. Senator Veronika Krūmiņa at the discussion organized by the State President "'Turning point: 10 years since the referendum on official language''
10.02.2022. Former Chief Justice Andris Guļāns in conversation with historian Valters Ščerbinskis in the opening of the book "Latvian judges 1990-2020"
22.12.2021. Administrative justice working group with its Special Themis Award 2021
22.12.2021. Supreme Court's Themis Awards 2021: Professional Award - Anita Poļakova, Creative Award - Dzintra Balta, Special Award - Veronika Krūmiņa
03.12.2021. International conference organized by the Supreme Court about the reasoning technique in the cassation instance ruling
25.11.2021. With the opening of a new monthly calendar the Supreme Court commences the project of Constitution’s centenary
13.11.2021. Former senator Mārīte Zāģere is awarded the title of Judge Emeritus
24.09.2021. Aigars Strupišs, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, meets with Estonian and Lithuanian judges
14.09.2021. Veronika Krūmiņa, Chair of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Senate, opens the exhibition of the 100th anniversary of administrative justice
08.09.2021. A lilac tree planted in memory of Jānis Kalacs, the founder of administrative justice in Latvia, will flourish in Trikāta. Planted by senators Jautrīte Briede and Veronika Krūmiņa, and Chair of Valmiera Courthouse of Administrative District Court Guntars Ploriņš
20.08.2021. At the LAMPA Conversation Festival, participants of the discussion organized by the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court
28.07.2021. Video interviews to preserve the memories of the members of the working group for the development of the Administrative Procedure Law about their work more than 20 years ago
28.06.2021. State President accepts an oath of senator Kristine Zile
19.06.2021. Senators Dace Mita, Peteris Opincans, Marika Senkane, Rudite Vidusa, and Zane Petersone receive Honorary Badges of the Justice System
17.06.2021. On the 20th anniversary of the Administrative Procedure Law, the developers gifted a lilac to the idea initiator State President Egils Levits to be planted in the Presidential Castle garden
04.05.2021. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the President of the Constitutional Court, chairs of Senate’s Departments, and judges lay flowers at the Freedom Monument
03.05.2021. Administrative Justice teams participating in V.I.P. erudition game on Latvian television
23.04.2021. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court meets with Bruno Laserre, Vice-President of the French Council of State
31.03.2021. Mikelis Zumbergs, acting chair of the Economic Court – former judge assistant at the Supreme Court
23.02.2021. Diana Makarova has been appointed as senator of the Supreme Court
01.02.2021. Judges of lower courts Daiga Lubane, Silva Reinholde, and Iveta Stuberovska are taking an internship at the Supreme Court for 6 months
01.02.2021. For two years judges of a regional court Lauma Paeglkalna and Valters Pokis will be acting judges of the Senate’s Department of Administrative Cases
29.01.2021. Senator Edite Vernusa has been granted the title of Judge Emeritus
22.01.2021. Plenary Session on Annual Report of the Supreme Court in videoconferencing mode
22.12.2020. Themis Awards 2020 went to Austris Livdans, Janis Geks and Aleksandrs Potaicuks
18.12.2020. Virtual seminar of the Department of Administrative Cases and administrative judges of lower courts
18.11.2020. The judiciary – Aigars Strupiss, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Sanita Osipova, President of the Constitutional Court, by the Freedom Monument
10.2020. Employees and senators of the Supreme Court in the photograph dedicated to 25-year anniversary of restored Senate
06.10.2020. Aigars Strupiss, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Inara Murniece, the Speaker of the Saeima (Parliament) held a meeting at the Supreme Court and discussed the ways how to strengthen the rule of law and justice in Latvia. Photo by the Saeima Press Service
02.10.2020. In order to mark the 25th anniversay of the Senate, the Supreme Court organized a discussion “Senator’s Personality”. Each time period has its own challenge, and the former Chief Justices of the Supreme Court Gvido Zemribo, Andris Gulans and Ivars Bickovics spoke about them during the festive discussion. In turn, the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Aigars Strupiss was invited to describe the values of the 21st century senator's personality
02.10.2020. On the 25th anniversary of the restored Senate, a Gallery of Portraits of former Chief Justices was opened in the Supreme Court. All three former Chief Justices of the Supreme Court who held the office after the restoration of Latvia's independence – Gvido Zemribo, Andris Gulans and Ivars Bickovics – took part in the opening ceremony
28.09.2020. The ten-year anniversary of the Judicial Council was celebrated at the solemn sitting with the participation of the President of Latvia, current and former members of the Judicial Council, heads of judicial self-government organizations. Photo by the Chancery of State President.
25.09.2020. In the understanding of court findings and further development of law, the dialogue between the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court is important not only through judgments, but also in face-to-face discussion. Confirmation of this is the meeting of judges of both highest courts on September 25. This was the first time that such an exchange of information and views had taken place with a broad representation of judges.
21.-22.09.2020. Within the framework of the project “Use of e-Solutions in the Management of Court Work and Processes in Ukraine during the COVID-19 Crisis” the Supreme Court organized a webinar on organization of court work during the pandemic. More than 90 judges and 150 employees participated in the webinar.
11.09.2020. Normunds Salenieks have been elected the Chair of the Department of Civil Cases at the Plenary Session of the Supreme Court. Management of the Supreme Court: Veronika Krumina, the Chair of the Department of Administrative Cases, Aigars Strupiss, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Anita Polakova, the Chair of the Department of Criminal Cases, Normunds Salenieks, the Chair of the Department of Civil Cases.
11.09.2020. The Plenary Session of the Supreme Court elected Dzintra Balta, the Senator of the Department of Civil Cases, as the member of the Judicial Council. In turn, the Judicial Council repeatedly elected Dzintra Balta as the Deputy Chair of the Judicial Council.
03.09.2020. When taking the necessary steps for the discussion at the Conversation Festival LAMPA, the Supreme Court organized a public survey on issues of the rule of law. More than 1000 respondents from all over Latvia participated in the survey conducted by the research centre SKDS. The aim of the survey was to find out public opinion on the rule of law and on ways to strengthen it.
03.09.2020. President Egils Levits, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima Inese Libina-Egnere, President of the Constitutional Court Ineta Ziemele and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Aigars Strupiss participated in the discussion ''Building the Rule of Law together'' organized by the Supreme Court, which was one of the central events of the LAMPA festival.
21.08.2020. Having assessed the professional contribution to the development of the judicial system and to the strengthening of the rule of law, the Chair of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Senate Veronika Krumina and Senator Jautrite Briede were awarded the Order of the Three Stars. President Egils Levits presented the award on the anniversary of the adoption of the Constitutional Law ''On the State Status of the Republic of Latvia''.
16.07.2020. The Supreme Court joins Twitter to provide accurate and up-to-date information about the Supreme Court and the Judicial Council to the general public in a convenient way. This will serve as another channel of court communication alongside the official website www.at.gov.lv.
10.07.2020. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Aigars Strupiss accepted an oath of the new Prosecutor General Juris Stukans. It was a unique event, as the Prosecutor General is sworn in by a judge. Until now, the only oath of the Prosecutor General in Latvia was accepted in 1994, when the then Prosecutor General Janis Skrastins took the oath who belonged to the Prosecutor's Office and had already been appointed Prosecutor General in 1990. Juris Stukans does not come from the prosecutor's office, but from among judges.
08.07.2020. In preparation for the 25th anniversary of the restoration of the Senate, the Supreme Court has created an exhibition “Senators in the Field of Legal Literature”, which testifies to the contribution of senators to the development of legal thought in Latvia. The exhibition shows a part of legal literature, the authors or co-authors of which are senators of the Supreme Court, who have worked in the Senate since its restoration in 1995. A total of 29 out of 64 former or current senators have worked in the field of legal literature. The total number of books exceeds 140.
02.07.2020. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Aigars Strupiss met with the Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins to discuss possible cooperation between the executive and the judiciary in order to strengthen the rule of law in the country. A number of important issues were highlighted, including the training system for judges, the remuneration system for public officials, employees of courts and of law enforcement authorities, as well as particular lengthy court proceedings and possible solutions to reduce their length.
16.06.2020. At Riga Castle, State President Egils Levits met with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Aigars Strupiss, who had taken up his new duties the same day, as well as with the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ivars Bickovics. The President congratulated Aigars Strupiss, wishing him success in his responsible position, as well as he expressed gratitude to Ivars Bickovics for his long-term commitment.
16.06.2020. Aigars Strupiss, the former Chair of the Department of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court, has assumed the office of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Along with the position of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Aigars Strupiss will also be the Chair of the Judicial Council. The term of office of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is five years.
15.06.2020. Ivars Bickovics acknowledges that 12 years in the position of the Chief Justice had been a challenging time during which the goal of the work had remained unchanged – ensuring the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in Latvia. The three biggest challenges had been elimination of crisis consequences (the economic crisis in 2008 and the Covid-19 crisis in 2020), the reorganization of the Supreme Court by liquidating the chambers (an appellate instance) thus leaving only the cassation instance, and the establishment and development of the Judicial Council.
11.06.2020. The newly elected Judicial Ethics Commission together and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ivars Bickovics after the election of the Commission. In the photo: the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ivars Bickovics, Chair of the Judicial Ethics Commission, Judge of Zemgale Regional Court Dace Skrauple, and Deputy Chair of the Commission, Judge of Zemgale District Court Adrija Kasakovska.
16.05.2020. The beginning of the work of the renewed Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia can be considered May 16, 1990, when Anatolijs Gorbunovs, Chair of the Supreme Council, nominated Gvido Zemribo for the position of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. With 149 votes in favor, 8 against, 10 abstentions, Gvido Zemribo was elected the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia and was instructed to submit a proposal on the personnel of the Supreme Court and its Presidium.
07.05.2020. The Saeima approved Kaspars Balodis, Professor of Civil Law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Latvia, Sworn Advocate, as a judge of the Supreme Court. Kaspars Balodis applied for the position of a senator of the Department of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court. The general meeting of the Department of Civil Cases of the Senate gave a positive opinion on his suitability for the position of a senator of the Senate.
05.05.2020. By the decision of the Judicial Council, Ieva Viskere, Judge of the Administrative Regional Court and Dzintra Balta, Judge of the Riga Regional Court, were transferred to the position of a judge of the Supreme Court. Ieva Viskere had applied for the position of a senator of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Senate, but Dzintra Balta had applied for the position of a senator of the Department of Civil Cases of the Senate. Their candidacies were also accepted at the meetings of the senators of the respective departments.
04.05.2020. In honour of the 30th anniversary of Latvia's Independence, Ivars Bickovics, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Ineta Ziemele, President of the Constitutional Court, as well as the judges of the Constitutional Court Gunars Kusins and Arturs Kucs laid flowers at the Freedom Monument. This year, due to the restrictions of Covid-19, not all senior state officials visited the Freedom Monument at the same time, but did so individually or in small groups.
30.04.2020. Edite Vernusa and Vanda Cirule, long-term senators of the Department of Civil Cases of the Senate, left the position of a judge and retired. Edite Vernusa has been a judge of the Chamber of Civil Cases, a senator of the Department of Administrative Cases and the Department of Civil Cases of the Senate, she also the chair of the latter. Vanda Cirule has been a judge of the Chamber of Civil Cases and a senator of the Department of Civil Cases of the Senate.
20.04.2020. Senator Anita Polakova was elected the Chair of the Department of Criminal Cases of the Senate at the Plenary Session of the Supreme Court. According to the Law “On the Judiciary”, the chairs of the departments of the Supreme Court are elected by the general meeting of judges for five years. 21 out of 30 judges voted for Anita Polakova's candidacy.
20.04.2020. The Plenary Session of the Supreme Court nominated Aigars Strupiss, Chair of the Department of Civil Cases of the Senate, as a candidate for the position of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. 25 of the 30 judges who participated in voting voted for the candidacy of Aigars Strupiss. The Saeima (parliament) must then vote for the candidate nominated by the Plenary Session of the Supreme Court.
01.04.2020. Peteris Dzalbe, Chair of the Department of Criminal Cases of the Senate, left the position of a judge and retired. Judge with 35 years of experience as a judge, first chair of Zemgale Regional Court, since 2005 - judge of the Supreme Court, since 2011 chair of the Department of Criminal Cases of the Senate.
23.03.2020. Ivars Bickovics, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, participated in the joint sitting of the heads of the state constitutional bodies convened by the State President to decide on the basic principles of the state's activities in a state of emergency. At a remote meeting, the President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Saeima, the President of the Constitutional Court and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court discussed how to legitimately continue the activities of public administration in the conditions of Covid-19 outbreak.
28.02.2020. Assistants to judges of the Collegium of Civil Cases of Kurzeme Regional Court discussed the current work-related issues with the colleagues of the Supreme Court during the experience exchange visit. They met with Sandra Lapina, Head of the Administration, Anita Zikmane, Head of the Division o Case-law and Research, Edite Vernusa, Judge of the Department of Civil Cases, and Assistants to Judges of the Department. Colleagues were also introduced to working conditions at the Supreme Court, showing the offices of judges and of assistants to judges, the Chancery and Archives, the courtrooms and the Museum.
24.02.2020. Dzintra Balta, a member of the Council for the Judiciary, introduced the new and future judges to the work of the Council. Rasma Zvejniece, Head of the Division of Communication, told about the implementation of the court communication strategy on a daily basis approved by the Council for the Judiciary. Anita Kovalevska and Ieva Viskere, judges of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Senate gave lectures; and a guided tour in the Supreme Court Museum was organized.
19.02.2020. On the Media Day, Ivars Bickovics, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Aigars Strupiss, Chair of the Department of Civil Cases, Janis Endzins, Chair of the Board of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Maris Vainovskis, Head of the Working Group on Court System Efficiency of the Foreign Investors' Council in Latvia, commented on the results of Opinion poll of Latvian entrepreneurs conducted by public opinion research centre (SKDS).
19.02.2020. At the Riga Castle, President of Latvia Egils Levits was given a solemn promise by Sandra Kaija, Doctor of Laws, who was approved by the Saeima (Parliament) as a Supreme Court judge on January 16. Sandra Kaija has more than 15 years of academic experience in the field of law at the university; she is an author of more than 70 scientific publications, an author or co-author of ten law books.
03.02.2020. Inese Laura Zemite took up her work as a judge in the Department of Criminal Cases of the Supreme Court. Her experience as a judge is 22 years. Inese Laura Zemite has been a judge in Riga City Zemgale District Court for eight years, and since 2005 – the Chair of the Criminal Cases Collegium of Riga Regional Court.
18.12.2019. Themis Awards 2019: (from left) Creative Themis Award given to Lauma Kuzmane, Human Resources Specialist, Special Themis Awards was given to Marika Senkane, Senator of the Department of Civil Cases, Professional Themis Award was given to Irina Casa, Advisor to the Secretariat of the Council for the Judiciary. During the period of fifteen years the Supreme Court's highest award, the Themis Award, has been given to 47 judges and employees, as well as to three departments, in various nominations.
10.12.2019. Legal education of the society is one of the directions of activity in order to achieve the strategic aim of the Supreme Court, namely, to strengthen the authority of the Court. Veronika Krumina, Chair of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Supreme Court, shared her experience in legal education of various target groups – pupils and teachers, students, lawyers, journalists and the general public.
18.11.2019. Peteris Dzalbe, Chair of the Department of Criminal Cases of the Supreme Court, has been awarded the Three Star Order of the Third Class for special merits by being appointed Commander of the Three Stars Order. Whereas, Senator Marite Zagere was appointed the Officer of the Three Stars Order, thus receiving Fourth Class Order. On the 101st anniversary of the proclamation of the State, the awards were presented by President Egils Levits.
15.11.2019. During the ceremony in the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ivars Bickovics presented the Honorary Badge of the Justice System to Valerijs Maksimovs, Senator of the Department of Civil Cases. The Senator was awarded the Honorary Badge of the Justice System of Second Degree for exemplary, honest and creative work in the field of justice.
01.11.2019. The Latvian Judges Conference was filled with issues essential to the effective functioning of the judiciary, which touched upon both the content of judicial work, namely, the quality of judgments, effective management of the court proceedings, independence of the judiciary and self-government of judges. In the photo: President of Latvia Egils Levits, Chairman of the Council for the Judiciary Ivars Bickovics and President of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice of the Council of Europe (CEPEJ) Ramin Gurbanov.
31.10.2019. After the meeting in the Supreme Court (from left), Ivars Bickovics, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the chair of the Council for the Judiciary, Anna Skrjabina, head of the project “Justice for Development”, Aija Branta, Senator of the Supreme Court, Ramin Gurbanov, President of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice of the Council of Europe (CEPEJ), and Artashes Melikyan, Head of the Secretariat of the Consultative Council of European Judges.
28.10.2019. Senators and legal research counsels from all three departments attended the conference organized by the Supreme Court “Effectiveness of court proceedings: initiation or refusal to initiate cassation proceedings”. The conference was devoted to the first stage of cassation proceedings, namely, to decision to initiate or refuse cassation proceedings. Senators heard information on the ECHR's findings on the matter, on patterns for the selection of cassation complaints in European courts and filters of audit proceedings in Germany. Thereafter, there was a discussion on practical problems and possible solutions to improve the quality of cassation proceedings.
21.10.2019. The Council for the Judiciary awarded the title of Judge Emeritus to former Supreme Court senator Valerijans Jonikans, who terminated his office on April 30, 2019. The proposal for awarding the title of Judge Emeritus was made by the Department of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court.
18.10.2019. The Plenary Session of the Supreme Court heard and discussed Senator Marik Senkane's report on the examination of the grounds for dismissing the Prosecutor General, heard the Prosecutor General and the Minister of Justice and found that there were no grounds for dismissing Prosecutor General Eriks Kalnmeiers. The decision to carry out the examination of the grounds for dismissing the Prosecutor General was taken by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at the request of 39 members of the Saeima (Parliament). Senator Marika Senkane was mandated to verify the facts set out in the deputies' request.
17.10.2019. During the project “Role of an Assistant to Judge in the Effective Organization of the Work of the Supreme Court”, the Supreme Court of Iceland was visited by Sanita Jefimova, Assistant to Chair of the Department of Criminal Cases, Madara Senbruna, Assistant to Judge of the Department of Administrative Cases, and Reinis Odins, Legal Research Counsel to the Department of Civil Cases. The project implemented by the Supreme Court’s Administration was supported by the Nordic-Baltic Mobility Program. The employees visited several Nordic Supreme Courts.
26.09.2019. In order to get acquainted with the court system and understand the principles of court communication, the Supreme Court was visited by students of the University of Latvia, Faculty of Social Sciences – future journalists and public relations specialists. Students met with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ivars Bickovics. Students could also step into judges’ shoes and deciding cases by voting on what they thought was the most appropriate judgment in different situation. Improvised voting showed how additional information presented with an emotional connotation can influence attitudes and, consequently, the judgment.
25.09.2019. On 25 September, the General Court of the European Union celebrated its 30th anniversary. To honour this event, a colloquium “The General Court of the European Union in the Digital Era” was held in Luxembourg. It was attended by Veronika Krumina, Chair of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Supreme Court. In the photo – Judge Veronika Krumina and Inga Reine, Judge of the General Court of the European Union form Latvia.
19.09.2019. The Supreme Court of Slovenia, headed by President Damijan Florjančič visited the Supreme Court of Latvia and mat with judges and legal research counsels in order to exchange information and viewpoints on the procedural regulation of cassation courts in both countries, on the organization of court work, topical problems and solutions. In the photo – Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Latvia together with guests.
16.09.2019. The State President met not only with the management of the Supreme Court, but also with the whole court’s team. The President spoke about challenges faced by the Court – the increase in administrative cases received, the complexity of cases and the excessive length of criminal proceedings. The President emphasized the role of the judge in conducting court proceedings and in applying the law, in ensuring efficient court proceedings and in exercising of rights in good faith.
06.09.2019. The anniversary of the establishment of administrative courts was celebrated by the Conference “Jurisdiction of Administrative Courts Arising from General Principles of Law”. The opening speeches in the Great Hall of the University of Latvia were delivered by State President Egils Levits, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima Inese Libina-Egnere, Chair of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Supreme Court Veronika Krumina and Chair of the Latvian Association of Administrative Judges Lauma Paeglkalna.
02.09.2019. Thanks to information available on the website of the Supreme Court about the planting of a memorial oak in honour of Kristaps Valters, first Chief Justice of the Senate, his great granddaughter Christine Valters Paintner learned about her great grandfather's role in the history of Latvia. Together with her husband John Valters Paintner, Christine visited Kuldiga – the hometown of Kristaps Valters and his resting place. In the photo – a historical moment, as great granddaughter of the first Chief Justice of the Senate sits in judge’s chair.
01.07.2019. By the decision of the Council for the Judiciary, Aivars Uminskis, judge of Riga Regional Court, was transferred to the position of a judge of the Supreme Court. The judge has 22 years of professional experience in criminal matters. He had been working as a prosecutor, and as a judge in the Latgale Regional Court and in the Riga Regional Court. He had been serving for four years as a judge in the Chamber of Criminal Cases of the Supreme Court.
28.06.2019. The discussion “Court. Justice. The Judge's Backbone” organized by the Supreme Court was attended by more than 100 people, while it was also possible to follow the discussion and ask questions online. In the discussion lead by Edvins Danovskis, Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Latvia, part was taken by Ivars Bickovics, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Latvia, Veronika Krumina, Chair of the Department of Administrative Casese, Aigars Strupiss, Chair of the Department of Civil Cases, Artis Eglitis, Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Gunta Andzane, Doctor-Psychotherapist.
21.06.2019. Within the framework of the Twinning project “Strengthening the Capacity of the Supreme Court of Ukraine in the Field of Human Rights Protection at the National Level”, Jautrite Briede, Senator of the Supreme Court of Latvia, served as a long-term expert in Ukraine for two years. Other Supreme Court judges and legal research counsels as well travelled to Ukraine on several occasions to serve as experts in the project. Delegations of the Supreme Court of Ukraine also visited Latvia for experience exchange. In the photo: Jautrite Briede receives a badge of honour for her contribution to training of Ukrainian judges.
12.06.2019. The team of authors of edition consists of 38 scientists, researchers and experts, including Dr. iur. Jautrite Briede, Senator of the Supreme Court and Professor of the University of Latvia, Faculty of Law, and Dita Plepa, Legal Research Counsel to the Department of Administrative Cases of the Supreme Court. The monograph is supplemented with information about legislative process and research on official publications. An article “The legislator in search of new areas of regulation” written by Dr. iur. Dace Sulmane, Adviser to the Secretariat of the Council for the Judiciary, is also published in the monograph. Santa Ratnika and Darta Udre, Assistants to judges of the Supreme Court, as well took great part in developing the research.
28.05.2019. At the Conference of Chief Justices of Central and Eastern Europe, which is held in Bratislava this year, a number of topics have been raised for discussion: on public perceptions of the value of the courts in the modern media environment, on the role of the Supreme Courts in the formation of unified case-law, on issuing clear, well-reasoned opinions at all levels, as well as on the role of courts in ensuring human rights. Also, issues related to the selection of judges and effective disciplinary mechanisms will be discussed.
07.05.2019. Experience exchange can take place not only in other countries, but also in Latvia – the Supreme Court employees verified this statement by visiting the first and second instance courts in Jelgava – Courthouse of the Administrative District Court in Jelgava, the Zemgale District Court and the Zemgale Regional Court. Several employees from all Supreme Court structural units participated in the experience exchange visit.
30.04.2019. Valerijans Jonikans, a respected judge who has received the Order of the Three Stars, the Mark of Distinction of the System of Justice, and the Themis Award of the Supreme Court twice, has retired. Valerijans Jonikans is one of the founders of administrative courts in Latvia – the first chair of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Senate. But in 2007-2010, he was the chair of the Department of Civil Cases, then the senator of the same department.
26.04.2019. To create the dialogue between the Supreme Court and regional courts, the Chair of the Department of Civil Cases of the Senate Aigars Strupiss and Senators Edite Vernusa and Intars Bisters participated in a meeting organized by the Riga Regional Court for the judges of the Collegiums of Civil Cases of all regional courts of Latvia to discuss the quality of court work and topical issues of civil and civil law.
25.04.2019. On the Media Day the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and chairs of the departments informed the journalists about the topicalities of the Supreme Court and the judiciary, as well as about the most important rulings of the Senate, which established the case-law and could be useful and interesting in the work of journalists.
08.04.2019. The Plenary Session of the Supreme Court has elected Marika Senkane, Senator of the Department of Civil Cases, as the representative of judges at the Central Election Commission. According to the Law “On the Central Election Commission”, the Commission consists of nine members, among whom the chair and seven members are elected by the Saeima (Parliament) and one member – by the Supreme Court in its Plenary Session.
22.03.2019. The law students of Rezekne Academy of Technologies visited the Supreme Court to learn about the work of judges and employees, as well as about the possibilities to read the Supreme Court rulings and follow up information on case-law. In the photo: Assistants to judges Renate Vernusa and Santa Vigante and legal research counsel Nora Magone tell visitors about their work.
13.03.2019. The new function of website Likumi.lv – linking of provisions of the law with the case-law findings of the Supreme Court and of the Constitutional Court – is introduced at the press conference by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice Raivis Kronbergs, the President of the Constitutional Court Ineta Ziemele, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ivars Bickovics and the Chair of the Board VSIA “Latvijas Vestnesis” Daina Abele.
27.02.2019. When visiting the Supreme Court, Ilze Ruse, the Latvian Ambassador to the Netherlands, called on the Supreme Court to use the opportunities provided to Latvia by international institutions in The Hague – the UN International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Hague Conference on Private International Law and the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.
22.02.2019. Marika Senkane, Secretary of the Plenary Session, reads out the congratulations by the State President Raimons Vejonis for the Plenary Session of the Supreme Court. The President welcomes initiatives of the Supreme Court that have strengthened the rule of law: judges have been involved in explaining the work of the Court and have not refrained from expressing their attitude towards dishonesty and fraud.
21.02.2019. The exhibition created by the Supreme Court tells about the Palace of Justice – a symbol of justice and a monument of Latvian architecture. In December 1936, the foundation stone of the new building was solemnly laid, and in December 1938 the building was consecrated and the work of the Senate and other judicial institutions began. The exhibition has three sections: Construction and opening of the Palace of Justice; Work of the Senate of Latvia in the Palace of Justice; Return of the Supreme Court to the Palace of Justice; and the Palace of Justice today.
13.02.2019. In the Shadow Day 17 students from Cesis, Vecpiebalga, Liepaja, Dagda, Rezekne, Jelgava, Ogre, Babite, Valmiera, Daugmale and Riga visited the Supreme Court. Students learnt about the Latvian judicial system and the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and met with their “shadow givers” – the Chief justice of the Supreme Court, judges, assistants to judges and legal research counsels, as well as took part in court hearings. In the photo: judge Dace Mita speaks with “shadows” after the court hearing.
01.02.2019. Veronika Krumina, Chair of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Supreme Court, when addressing the participants of the event dedicated to the 15-year anniversary of administrative courts, noted the significant contribution of administrative courts to the development of legal thought and Latvia as a state governed by law, and recalled that public trust in the judiciary and the state depends on the work of judges and judicial employees.
19.12.2018. Judge of the Department of Administrative Cases Rudite Vidusa received the Professinal Themis Award, the Creative Themis Award was given to the Division of Communication, and Judge of the Department of Civil Cases Edite Vernusa was awarded the Special Themis Award for efficient and professional management of the Department.
19.12.2018. The centenary of the highest court of Latvia – the Senate – was solemnly celebrated having a look back at the work done. Photo: Former and current judges of the Supreme Court.
19.12.2018. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ivars Bickovics and relatives of the senators Janis Skudre, Mintauts Cakste, Janis Ankravs, Fridrihs Vesmanis, Augusts Rumpeters, and Vladimirs Bukovskis.
14.12.2018. In the international conference in Kiev, Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, spoke about the independence of national judge in ensuring the protection of human rights. The Supreme Court of Ukraine organized the conference to review and evaluate the changes introduced in the work of the new Supreme Court of Ukraine in the first year after the radical reform of the judicial system, including the reform of the Supreme Court.
10.12.2018. Anita Kovalevska, Anita Kovaļevska, Judge of the Administrative Regional Court, was appointed as the judge of the Supreme Court by decision of the Council for the Judiciary. A positive opinion on her appointment to the position of judge of the Department of Administrative Cases was given by the general meeting of judges of the Department of Administrative Cases.
28.11.2018. The centenary celebration of the proclamation of the State of Latvia in the Supreme Court began with a long-awaited event – the opening of the historic name of the Senate above the entrance to the court. With the decision of the Saeima of October 25, the name “Senate” was returned to the cassation court. The State President promulgated the law shortly before the public holiday, the law came into force on November 28. The name of the Senate now has the same force as the “Supreme Court”.
17.11.2018. Edite Vernusa, judge of the Department of Civil Cases, was awarded the highest state award – the Order of the Three Stars – for meritorious service to Latvia. The Order of Chapters has awarded the judge with the Order of the 4th class. On the eve of the centenary of Latvia, the award was presented by the President of Latvia Raimonds Vejonis.
15.11.2018. On the eve of the National Day, the aim of the visit of professors of the Faculty of Law of Riga Stradins University was not only to learn history by watching the film “Senators” and participating in a guided tour in the Palace of Justice, but also to gain information useful in teaching work. During the meeting, Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Anita Zikmane, the Head of the Division of Case-law and Research, emphasized the importance of the conclusions of the Supreme Court judgments as an educational resource for lawyers.
31.10.2018. In the centenary year of Latvia, the Supreme Court invited judges to visit their schools and talk to students about Latvia and the role of the judge in national life. Chair of the Department of Administrative Cases Veronika Krumina gave a lesson in law to 12th grade students at Riga State Gymnasium No. 2, which she called hers for eleven years, as well as at Akniste Secondary School where her mother studied.
29.10.2018. More than 80 employees of regional and district courts visited the Supreme Court and the Court Administration to get acquainted with the work of these institutions. This was the first time when the Open Day was organized solely for the employees of courts of Latvia, and its purpose, as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ivars Bickovics pointed out, was to introduce both to the work of the court of cassation and to allow every court employee to recognize the importance of their work in the unified judicial system.
19.10.2018. At the conference dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Civil Procedure Law, the Minister of Justice presented eleven certificates of gratitude to those lawyers who have made the greatest contribution to the elaboration of the Civil Procedure Law. Certificates of gratitude were also received by the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Gvido Zemribo, former judges Rita Saulite, Gunars Aigars, Gunta Visnakova and Kalvis Torgans, and Head of the Division of Case-law and Research Anita Zikmane.
25.09.2018. The judges of the Supreme Court of Ukraine came to Latvia in the framework of the project “Strengthening the institutional capacity of the Supreme Court of Ukraine in the field of human rights protection at the national level”. The visit was arranged by judge Jautrite Briede, who is currently working as a project expert in the Supreme Court of Ukraine. Guests met with Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, as well as with judges and legal research counsels from all departments in order to get acquainted with the work experience of the Supreme Court of Latvia, paying particular attention to the so-called “cassation filters”.
14.09.2018. Priekuli Municipality invited the Supreme Court to take part in the events dedicated to their townsman – Senator Karlis Ozolins. In memory of Karlis Ozolins, an oak tree near his native home was planted by the Chair of Priekuli County Council Elina Stapulone, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ivars Bickovics and Chair of Vidzeme District Court Janis Grinbergs.
10.09.2018. Inara Garda, the Judge of the Department of Civil Cases, was elected as a member of the Disciplinary Court at the Plenary Session of the Supreme Court. She was also appointed as Chair of the Disciplinary Court. A new member of the Disciplinary Court from the Department of Civil Cases had to be re-elected, as its previous member Aigars Strupiss was elected as a member of the Council for the Judiciary.
10.09.2018. At the Plenary Session of the Supreme Court, Judge Aigars Strupiss is elected as the Chair of the Department of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court for a term of five years. Judge Edite Vernusa, who has been leading the work of the Department of Civil Cases since 2015, has filed a request to be removed from this office before the expiration of the term of office. Aigars Strupiss is elected the member of the Council for the Judiciary, as the term of office of Judge Inara Garda has expired.
07.09.2018. “Each judge in the courtroom is the face of the judicial system of Latvia for those people who have turned to the court and have come to the court often only once in a lifetime”, Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Chair of the Council for the Judiciary, reminded to all judges at the Latvian Judges’ Conference. This year’s Latvian Judges’ Conference was devoted to the centennial of the Latvian judicial system and its prospects for the future.
06.09.2018. At the Latvian Judges' Conference, which takes place on September 7 and is devoted to the centennial of the Latvian judicial system, representatives of the Supreme Courts from countries that also celebrate their centenary are among the guests. These countries are Lithuania, Estonia, Finland and Poland. A day before the conference, the guests visited the Supreme Court, they met with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and chairs of the departments, as well as learnt about the Palace of Justice and visited the Supreme Court Museum.
30.06.2018. What should be done so that 80% of population of Latvia would have confidence in the judiciary? – this was a question asked in one of the discussions of the festival “Lampa” in Cesis, in which also judges of the Supreme Court Aigars Strupiss and Anita Kovalevska participated. Judge Strupiss also serves as a Chair of the Disciplinary Court, and Judge Kovalevska – Chair of the Judicial Ethics Commission.
27.06.2018. At the plenary session on the 15th anniversary of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ), Latvia's representative judge Aija Branta, received the award – a honorary plaque for contributing to the improvement of the quality and efficiency of justice in Europe. Colleagues from Andora, Finland, Germany and Hungary also received the award. The award was presented by CEPEJ President Georg Stawa.
14.06.2018. Chief Justices of the Supreme Courts of the Baltic States donated books containing special messages to the People’s Bookshelf in the National Library of Latvia. Priit Pikamäe, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Estonia, presented the biographical dictionary about the Estonian judges who worked in courts during the interwar period (1918-1940). The gift by Rimvydas Norkus, the President of the Supreme Court of Lithuania, was Lithuanian Statutes – collection of laws of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania of 1529. Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Latvia, left in the People’s Bookshelf the “Plenary Session decisions of the Supreme Court 1990-1995”.
14.06.2018. The annual meeting of the Supreme Courts of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia is a tradition, and it took place in Riga in this special 100th anniversary of all Baltic States. At the conference “Development Path of Judicial Systems of Baltic States”, each court shared its historical experience, emphasizing the most important events and development processes of the supreme courts and the judiciary over the past hundred years.
28.05.2018. In the Conference of Chief Justices of Central and Eastern Europe which this year took place in Vilnius two key issues were raised – improving the administration of the supreme courts and implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in the national legal systems. Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Latvia, also participated in the conference.
18.05.2018. On the Day of Families the families of judges and employees – parents, grandparents, spouses, brothers, sisters and other relatives were invited to visit the Court. “Your support and understanding help your dear ones in their daily work. Therefore, we wish to show where we work and what we do”, Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, said at the opening of the event. Visitors watched the film “Senators”, walked around the Palace of Justice, visited the Supreme Court Museum, as well as their relatives’ workplaces.
07.05.2018. The 2nd year students of the Department of Communication Studies of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Latvia visited the Supreme Court in order to get acquainted with the work of the Supreme Court and its cooperation with the media. Students met with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ivars Bickovics, employees of the Division of the Communication, wandered around the Palace of Justice and visited the Supreme Court Museum.
03.05.2018. At the solemn ceremony held at the National Library of Latvia, the judges of the Department of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court Anita Cernavska and Lubova Kusnire received the Mark of Distinction of the System of Justice of the Third Class for exemplary, decent and creative execution of professional responsibilities. The award was given by Ivars Bickovics, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Chair of the Council for the Judiciary.
03.05.2018. The Supreme Court received a valuable gift – Videmars Rumpeters, the grandson of senator Augusts Rumpeters, donated his grandfather's collection of legal literature – 143 books and collections of laws in Latvian, German and Russian. Along with Videmars Rumpeters, his sons and prosecutor Mara Vaciete, who for many years had been using and preserving this collection, were present during the event.
02.05.2018. Referring to the call of the Supreme Court to organize events dedicated to senators in the municipalities where the senators of the Senate of Latvia (1918-1940) were born, and watch the film “Senators”, in memory of senators Aleksandrs Gubens and Mikelis Gobins, a meeting was organized in Cesvaine, in which the Chief Justice and judges of the Supreme Court also took part. Cesvaineans received a present – photography of 1938 – the year when Aleksandrs Gubens was the chair of the General Assembly of the Senate in 1934-1940.
25.04.2018. On Media Day the Supreme Court clarifies the ABC of judicial proceedings
12.04.2018. The retired employees of the Ministry of Justice, judges, prosecutors, lawyers and notaries were invited to attend the joint event of the judiciary – “Seniors’ Day”. The seniors were addressed by officials of the judiciary, participants took delight in musical performances of the mixed choir of the Latvian Collegium of Sworn Advocates and watched the movie “Senators”.
23.03.2018. Anita Zikmane, Head of the Division of Case-law and Research of the Supreme Court, encouraged to look at court findings as a resource for journalist’s work and as an opportunity for the public to know their rights. A representative of the Supreme Court told the journalists how court rulings and case-law summaries can become practical support for media.
12.03.2018. Joint meeting of the Court of Justice and the Network of Presidents of the Supreme Judicial Courts of the European Union
22.02.2018. Judge Aigars Strupiss participates at the discussion organized by the State President on the role and responsibility of a judge
22.-23.02.2018. Meeting of the ENCJ working group in Riga
19.02.2018. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court calls on new judges to be active and respect their work
14.02.2018. On the Shadow Day, students learn about the work of a judge by participating in a moot court
06.02.2018. Council for the Judiciary adopts the decision on examination of conduct of insolvency proceedings
25.01.2018. The experience of Latvia in the court communication is shared on the opening ceremony of a new working year at the European Court of Human Rights
18.01.2018. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court meets with the State President
21.12.2017. Judge Inara Garda receives Professional Themis Award
19.12.2017. The Supreme Court begins the centennial of the Senate of Latvia with a film premiere and a new exhibitionaces that have been significant in the lives of senators, including universities, courts and elsewhere.
19.12.2017. Exhibition about the Senate of Latvia at the Supreme Court
14.12.2017. Veronika Krumina is re-elected as the Chair of the Department of Administrative Cases
18.12.2017. On the Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia, November 18, Valerijans Jonikans, Judge of the Department of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court, and Ilze Skultane, Judge of the Department of Administrative Cases, received the highest state awards at the ceremony that took place at the Riga Castle. The judges were awarded the Order of the Three Stars, Class IV.
17.11.2017. The Supreme Court has chosen Sipji Oak from Rumba parish as the symbol of the centennial of the Senate of Latvia. Rumba parish is the homeland of Kristaps Valters, the first Chair of the General Assembly of the Senate of Latvia. Symbolic mark of the centenary of the Senate of Latvia was officially opened by the Supreme Court during the celebration of 99th anniversary of Latvia. The photograph of Sipji Oak will decorate the next year’s calendar of the Supreme Court, but the mark of the centenary of the Senate of Latvia will be used in events dedicated to centenary of the Senate, in printed and other publications, in Supreme Court e-mails and elsewhere.
03.11.2017. Egils Levits, Judge of the Court of Justice of the European Union, speaks at the Latvian Judges’ Conference
23.10.2017. The Supreme Court is visited by State President Raimonds Vejonis
20.10.2017. The Presidents of the Supreme Courts of the member States of the European Union meet in Estonia
11.10.2017. Within the framework of the Nordic-Baltic Mobility Program for Public Administration, the Department of Civil Cases received support for the project "Possibilities for improving the efficiency and quality of the work of the Department of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court", and participated in two experience visits – in Sweden and Norway
03.10.2017. Honouring the first Chief Justice of the Senate of Latvia – Kristaps Valters, an oak was planted in his hometown in Kuldiga City Garden. The oak was planted by all three Chief Justices of the restored Supreme Court – Gvido Zemribo, Andris Gulans and Ivars Bickovics, together with Inga Berzina, Chair of Kuldiga District Council. The oak will bear memory not only about Kristaps Valters but the whole Senate of Lavia. With this event, the Supreme Court initiated the centenary anniversary of the Senate of Latvia.
02.-13.10.2017. Within the experience exchange program organized by the Network of the Presidents of the Supreme Courts of the European Union, Mr Eerik Kergandberg, judge of the Chamber of Criminal Cases of the Supreme Court of Estonia worked in the Supreme Court of Latvia. He studied and compared the Latvian judicial system with Estonian practice. In the photo: Eerik Kergandberg with Latvian colleagues Peteris Dzalbe and Arturs Freibergs and legal research counsels Nora Magone and Janis Baumanis in the Department of Criminal Cases.
18.09.2017. Conference "Effectiveness of Work of the Cassation Instance: Problems and Solutions" topicalizes issues on effectiveness of work of the cassation court
14.09.2017. The Supreme Court is visited by the Azerbaijani delegation led by Minister of Justice of Azerbaijan Fikrat Mammadov
28.-30.07.2017. The Supreme Court team gets sixth place in the Judiciary Sports Games
21.04.2017. Opening of a handbook in managing the work of the Supreme Courts
2017. To strengthen the capacity of the Supreme Court as the cassation instance, the number of Legal Research Counsels of the Departments is being increased. Photo: F first row – Legal Research Counsels to the Department of Administrative Cases Inga Bertaite and Kristine Aperane, Legal Research Counsels to the Department of Criminal Cases Nora Magone and Janis Baumanis, and Legal Research Counsel to the Department of Administrative Cases Liva Skujina; second row – Legal Research Counsels to the Department of Civil Cases Reinis Odins and Rihards Gulbis.
03.03.2017. Communication strategy of courts wins two communication awards
03.03.2017. The Supreme Court's Plenary Session re-elected Inguna Radzevica, Judge of the Department of Criminal Cases, as member of the Disciplinary Court. Disciplinary Court in its full composition (from left): Andris Gulans, Inguna Radzevica, Lubova Kusnire, Aigars Strupiss, Anita Polakova, Vesma Kakste.
06.03.2017. Judge of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Supreme Court, Jautrite Briede, is appointed for work of long-term expert at the Supreme Court of Ukraine in the framework of Twinning project “Strengthening the institutional capacity of the Supreme Court of Ukraine in the field of human rights protection at the national level”. The project is funded by the European Union; the lead partner of the project is the German Foundation on International Legal Cooperation. Latvia offers Ukraine the assistance of its experts. Jautrite Briede (in the middle) with her assistant Oleksandr Bidny and Head of the Division of International Cooperation Lina Hubar at the Supreme Court of Ukraine.
15.02.2017. On the Shadow Day the Supreme Court was visited by ten pupils from Skriveri, Cesvaine, Islice, Smiltene, Ventspils and Riga. They learned about the daily work routine of employees and judges of the Supreme Court. At the end of the day the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ivars Bickovics met with ‘shadows’ from the Supreme Court, as well as with ‘shadows’ from the Ministry of Justice (see photo).
11.01.2017. Within the framework of the launched pilot project “Free mediation in family disputes” couples are able to visit five free sessions of certified mediators, so that to permit parents with children settling of disputes already initiated in the court as well as family disputes and disagreements that are not brought before the court yet. Information to media was provided by (from left) Chair of the Council of Certified Mediators Kristine Darzniece, Deputy State Secretary on Court Issues of the Ministry of Justice Irena Kucina, Judge of the Supreme Court Zane Petersone and representative of the State Inspectorate for Protection of Children's Rights Liga Tetere.
02.01.2017. In 2017, a new structural unit has commenced its work at the Supreme Court – Secretariat of the Council for the Judiciary. Its basic function is ensuring the operation of the Council for the Judiciary. (On photo from left): Consultant Irina Casa, Head of the Secretariat Sovita Harbacevica, Adviser Dace Sulmane and Legal adviser Linda Kalnina.
Themis Awards 2016: (from left) Creative Themis Award winners – Legal Research Counsels to the Department of Civil Cases, Rihards Gulbis, and the Department of Criminal Cases, Janis Baumanis; Special Themis Award winners - the Chamber of Civil Cases (former Chairs of the Chamber (holding the awards) Gunars Aigars and Ineta Ozola); and winner of Professional Themis Award – Judge of the Department of Administrative Cases Janis Neimanis
30.12.2016. In parallel with the reform of Latvian judicial system of January 1 the structure of the Supreme Court has changed. The appellate instance – the Chamber of Civil Cases – has ceased its activity and henceforth the Supreme Court will only be the cassation instance and cases will be heard by three departments – the Department of Civil Cases, the Department of Criminal Cases and the Department of Administrative Cases. With the termination of work of Chamber of Civil Cases, the Secretariat of the Chamber of Civil Cases is liquidated. Subsequently, the Court now has one Chancery.
22.12.2016. The Saeima confirmed Janis Neimanis, Judge of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Supreme Court, as judge of the Constitutional Court. He will replace Judge Uldis Kinis as his term of office expires. During the same sitting the Saeima also appointed Arturs Kucs, who was nominated by the Cabinet of Ministers, for position of a judge of the Constitutional Court.
15.12.2016. An exhibition is created in order to conclude the operation of the Chambers of the Supreme Court. It tells the story of the activities of appellate instance since its establishment in 1995 to the termination of work of the Chamber of Criminal Cases in 2014 and the Chamber of Civil Cases on 31 December 2016. The materials from Court’s archive and museum, as well as personal belongings of judges are used in creation of exhibition.
15.12.2016. In order to keep the testimony of 21 years long history, during which the Chambers of the Supreme Court operated as an appellate instance, the Supreme Court has issued a brochure "The Chamber of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia 1995-2016". It is a sequel to the brochure issued two years ago about the Chamber of Criminal Cases. These two publications is a story about an important stage in the history of the Supreme Court and the whole judicial system of the Republic of Latvia. The book is published in small print-run. It serves as a memorial edition, which will be stored in the reading-room and museum of the Supreme Court.
01.12.2016. Zane Petersone appointed as Judge of the Supreme Court
16.11.2016. The Supreme court is visited by the president of the European Law Institute Diana Wallis
10.11.2016. At the solemn meeting dedicated to Latvian Independence Day in Riga Regional Court the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presented a gift - a historical photo stand about the magistrates who strengthened the rule of law during the first period of Latvian independence. Original stand that currently has more than 80 years of history, was found when the Supreme Court operate in the premises of Regional Court and it was stored in the museum of the Supreme Court. Now, when Riga Regional Court established its own museum photo-stand has being returned to its true heirs.
29.10.2016. 54 students of the Young Lawyers University from all over Latvia visited Supreme Court, took note on the work of the court, position of a judge, visited the Palace of Justice, its courtrooms and museum, and watched the film "Latvian Senate – 95. Yesterday and Today"
19.10.2016. Within the framework of the project „Supreme Courts as guarantee for effectiveness of judicial system in the European Union”, the representatives of the Supreme Courts of Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary and Spain participated in a meeting in the Lithuanian Supreme Court and for three consecutive days took part in discussions and workshops on issue of publishing court rulings.
24.08.2016. New judges and candidates learn to conduct court proceedings
12.07.2016. The Supreme Court of Latvia is heading the European Commission funded project “Supreme Courts as guarantee for effectiveness of judicial systems in European Union”. The Project partners are the Supreme Courts of Lithuania, Spain and Hungary, as well as the University of Ljubljana and Antwerp. During the project, the performance of the Supreme Courts of the European Union will be analyzed in four areas: performance of Scientific and Research divisions of the Supreme Courts, general organization of judicial work, communication with the public, and the work of the Council for Judiciary. Photo - first meeting of the working party of the international project in Riga, Latvia.
01.07.2016. Sir Francis Jacobs, the professor at King’s College London, visits the Supreme Court of Latvia
26.05.2016. Martins Mits, the judge of the European Court of Human Rights, meets judges and assistants to judges of the Supreme Court
22.04.2016. Peteris Dzalbe is re-elected to the office of the Chair of the Department of Criminal Cases
18.03.2016. Upon proposal of the Supreme Court, the National Archives of Latvia digitalised part of historical legacy of the Senate of Latvia – 3500 pages of archive documents, which have been stored in archive fund No 1535 “The Senate of Latvia” and contain valuable unpublished information. Set of digital documents “Insight into documents of the Senate of Latvia 1919-1940” is now available on the Internet web site of National Archives, in section “Virtual Exhibitions and Digital Resources”. Presentation of digitalised documents was organised in the Supreme Court.
07.03.2016. The Division of Case-law was reorganised as from 1 January, transforming it into the Division of Case-law and Research. Along with expansion of functions, the personnel of the division were also expanded, being completed on 7 March. From the left: Nora Magone, Juris Kalnins, Aleksandrs Potaicuks, Zinaida Indruna, Anita Zikmane (the Head of the Division), Dace Sulmane, Anda Krastina, Solvita Harbacevica and Reinis Markvarts.
26.02.2016. The Supreme Court ended the year 2015 with several positive indicators concerning adjudication of cases: number of cases received has decreased per nearly one-third, rate of adjudicated cases has increased, and backlog of cases has decreased per 25 per cent. The management of the Supreme Court at the Plenary Session: Edite Vernusa, the Chair of the Department of Civil Cases; Peteris Dzalbe, the Chair of the Department of Criminal Cases; Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; Veronika Krumina, the Chair of the Department of Administrative Cases, and Ineta Ozola, the Chair of the Chamber of Civil Cases.
18.12.2015. Themis Award has new nominations – Professional, Creative and Special. Design of the award was inspired by the sculpture “Justice”. Awards were received by Senator Valerijans Jonikans, Head of the Communication Division Rasma Zvejniece, and the IT Division
18.12.2015. Exhibition about 10 years of Themis Award of the Supreme Court is created
26.11.2015. Collection of the museum of the Supreme Court is supplemented with valuable exhibit – the robe of a judge of the Constitutional Court presented to the museum by Ilze Skultane, the former judge of the Constitutional Court and the current judge of the Supreme Court. She had been the judge of the first composition of the Constitutional Court since it was established in 1996. Ilze Skultane, at that time – the Chair of Bauska district court, and Andrejs Lepse, the judge of the Supreme Court, were nominated to offices of judges of the Constitutional Court by the Plenary Session of the Supreme Court.
20.11.2015. At the ceremony organised by the Ministry of Justice due to anniversary of proclamation of the Republic of Latvia, the highest award of the system of justice – the Mark of Distinction – was presented to Anda Briede, the judge of the Department of Civil Cases, Anita Polkova, the judge of the Department of Criminal Cases, and Sandra Lapina, the Head of the Administration of the Supreme Court.
17.11.2015. Waiting for the 97th anniversary of proclamation of the Republic of Latvia, festive collective ceremony was held in the Supreme Court, and musical ceremonial mood was brought by the brass band of Riga Secondary School No. 6. At the ceremony, eight judges and employees of the court were presented Diplomas of the Supreme Court.
11.11.2015. Raimonds Vejonis, the President of the State, when addressing judges at Latvian Judges’ Conference, paid attention to the fact that the judiciary and each judge play an important role so that residents of Latvia could feel more secure in their country. The President also urged the judiciary to explain events in court system more actively: “The work of the court is done only when the case is adjudicated fairly and ruling prepared in legally precise manner is explained to public.”
20.10.2015. Great-grandson of Vladimirs Bukovskis visits the museum of the Supreme Court
06.10.2015. The opening of the book “The work makes a man” written by Gvido Zemribo and Lia Gulevska took place in Riga Latvian Society House. Zemribo had been the judge of the Supreme Court for nearly 30 years. He had been the Chief Justice, when Latvia restored its independence, and the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the independent Republic of Latvia. The law “On Judicial Power” was written under his guidance. The most extensive part of the book is dedicated to this the most important period of his life.
25.10.2015. Length-of-service Badge counts length of service of judges and employees of the Supreme Court since foundation of the Supreme Court of restored Republic of Latvia in 1990. In 2015, first Golden Badges were given – for 25 years served in the Supreme Court. In photo – recipients of Golden Badges with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court: (from the left) Marite Zagere, Zigmants Gencs, Gunars Aigars, Anita Nusberga, Ivars Bickovics, Pavels Gruzins, Inta Kirse, Raimonds Gravelsins and Anda Straume.
01.10.2015. Veronika Krumina, the Chair of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Supreme Court, and Jautrite Briede, the judge of the same department, reported at in international research and practical conference “Human Rights Protection within Administrative Justice Nowadays and Perspectives for Ukraine”. Veronika Krumina shared experience on role and challenges met by administrative courts in Latvia, and Jautrite Briede, in turn, presented a report on disclosure of confidential information at the disposal of public administration in public interests.
21.09.2015. Judges of the Department of Criminal Cases meet the US judge Virginia M. Kendall
11.09.2015. Acknowledging rich heritage of Latvian legal system, which may serve as inspiration for new ideas, the Supreme Court, in cooperation with the Faculty of Law and the journal “Jurista Vārds” (“Lawyer’s Word”) organised a conference “Commercial Law in Baltic Legal Space” dedicated to the 150th anniversary of August Loeber, one of founders of Latvian legal system and civil law. Photo: lecturers of the Part I of the conference: Zane Petersone, Edite Vernusa, Aigars Strupiss, Jaana Lints and Gediminas Sagatys
09.09.2015. Continuing tradition of cooperation among courts of Baltic States, delegations of Supreme Courts of Lithuania and Estonia headed by Chief Justices Rimvydas Norkus and Priit Pikamäe participated in week’s fests dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the senator August Loeber. Judges from neighbouring countries exchanged experience discussing issues, which are topical for everyone – increasing efficiency of work to reduce length of litigation in cassation instance. From Latvia, Chairs of departments of the cassation instance participated in the discussion.
08.09.2015. Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the senator of the Senate of Latvia, August Loeber – the one of founders of Latvian legal system and civil law – the exhibition “Work and life of August Loeber” was set in the Supreme Court. It is a unique event, because the exhibition has been opened in court premises for the first time. The exhibition includes valuable things, documents and other evidence stored in the museum of the Supreme Court.
08.09.2015. Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, came on introductory visit to Blackheads House upon invitation of Raimonds Vejonis, the new President of the State. Considering it necessary to strengthen the rule of law in the country, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the President of the State agreed on cooperation between the Supreme Court and expert committee established by the President of the State, which will prepare proposals on improvement of legal environment.
01.08.2015. The team of the Supreme Court gets in the 6th place in Sports Games of the system of justice
10.07.2015. Despite tense schedule of rehearsals and concerts at the Song Festival, pupils from Music and Art School of Baltinava, who came to Riga to participate in XI Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Festival, visited the Supreme Court on Friday. They told about their interest to see the Supreme Court to Aivars Keiss, the man from the same district, graduate of the Baltinava Secondary School, and now – the judge of the Supreme Court
22.06.2015. The Department of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court, having participated in Nordic-Baltic mobility programme for public administration, organised two study visits to Denmark and Norway, visiting Supreme Courts and other courts, Ministries of Justice and Court Administrations. Representatives of the Department of Civil Cases also visited the court room of Oslo district court, which was especially reconstructed for examination of a case of Anders Behring Breivik.
15.06.2015. At the Plenary Session of the Supreme Court, Edite Vernusa was elected to the office of the Chair of the Department of Civil Cases, and Ineta Ozola was elected to the office of the Chair of the appellate instance – the Chamber of Civil Cases. New heads of structural units of the Supreme Court had to be elected, because previous Chairs, having reached maximum age to hold judge’s office established in the law “On Judicial Power”, terminated execution of these duties
28.05.2015. Celebrating the 750th anniversary of the city of Jelgava, 11 people, who promoted growth of Jelgava with their work, ideas and expectations, were awarded with Anniversary Mark of Recognition of Jelgava “Jelgava 750 – in Swirls of History”. Andris Ravins, the Chair of City Council, presents the award also to Peteris Dzalbe, the Chair of the Department of Criminal Cases of the Supreme Court, who comes from Jelgava
28.05.2015. The Saeima confirmed Ivars Bickovics, the previous Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, in the office of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for the second term of office. The Chief Justice surrounded by media after the vote
04.05.2015. Representatives of the Supreme Court and of the Constitutional Court were invited to participate in the ceremonial sitting of the Saeima (Parliament) dedicated to the 25th anniversary of restoration of independence of the Republic of Latvia held on 4 May. Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Peteris Dzalbe, Veronika Krumina and Edite Vernusa, Chairs of departments of the Supreme Court, in guest lodge with former Presidents of Latvia, judges of the Constitutional Court, the Prosecutor General and the Ombudsman
24.04.2015. At the Plenary Session of the Supreme Court, judges nominated Ivars Bickovics, the previous Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, to respective office. Saeima must further vote for the candidate nominated by the Plenary Session of the Supreme Court
17.04.2015. The second Media Day in the Supreme Court
15.04.2015. Scientific advisers commence work in the Supreme Court. Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, in conversation with scientific advisers Rihards Gulbis, Inga Bertaite and Janis Baumanis points out that such service has been developed to strengthen capacity of cassation instance. Service of scientific advisers might, possibly, become permanent structural unit in a long run, at present there are three advisers - by one in each department, and they will perform scientific research, which is necessary to ensure work of departments
08.04.2015. Jautrite Briede, the judge of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Supreme Court, discharged duties of an ad hoc judge in the case “Avotins v. Latvia” reviewed in the hearing of the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights. The ad hoc judge selected by the President of the European Court of Human Rights sits in the case in the ECtHR, when permanent judge from the Contracting State cannot participate in review of the case.
30.03.2015. If it is impossible to bring written or material evidence to court, then the court decides on inspection and verification at the site of the evidence – grounding on this Section 238 of the Administrative Procedure Law, the composition of the court of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Supreme Court went to inspect condition of road Tuja motorway-Aucere of Limbazi municipality at the site.
10.03.2015. Judges of the Department of Civil Cases meet the professor Winiger from University of Geneva
06.03.2015. The Plenary Session of the Supreme Court
03.02.2015. Chief Justices and judges of Supreme Courts of three countries – in the court room of the Supreme Court of Georgia. From the left - representatives of Latvia Inara Garda, Veronika Krumina and Ivars Bickovics. Besides him – Konstantine Kublashvili, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia
19.12.2014. Themis Award – 2014. From the left: Jekabs Lacis, the Employee of the Year, Renate Vernusa, the Judge’s Assistant of the Year, Voldemars Cizevskis, the Judge of the Year, Gunars Aigars – the Person of the Year
18.12.2014. On 31 December 2014 important page in history of court system of independent Latvia has been closed – the appellate instance of criminal cases of the Supreme Court – the Chamber of Criminal Cases – discontinued to exist. History of 19 years of the Chamber is summed up and a book was published, to opening of which the Supreme Court invited present and former judges, assistants to judges and present employees and heads of other structural units of the court. In the picture – former and present judges and employees of the Chamber of Criminal Cases. In the first row – retired judges Ausma Keisa, Marija Goldsmite, Leontine Pluksna, Eduards Pupovs.
19.11.2014. Having reached maximum age to hold an office of a judge stipulated in the law “On Judicial Power”, on November 19, term of office of a judge of Zigmants Gencs, the Chair of the Department of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court, expired. He had discharged judicial duties for 38 years, 36 of them – in the Supreme Court. Painting is hobby of Zigmants Gencs, and, when saying good-bye to judge’s office, he presented one of his paintings to the Supreme Court.
10.11.2014. Project of the University of Latvia “Comments on the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia. Introduction. General Terms” has been the third book of scientific comments on the Constitution, which includes explanation of fundamentals of the State of Latvia and Constitution. When addressing those present at the event of opening of the book, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court wished so that this book, the same as previous parts of comments, would become an authoritative source of law and “the book of books” in Latvian case-law. At the opening of the book (from the left) Andris Berzins, the President of Latvia; Marcis Auzins, the Rector of the University of Latvia; Inara Murniece, the Speaker of the Saeima (Parliament) and Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Photo from archive of Leta
07.11.2014. On the eve of a Public Holiday Week, Anda Vitola, the judge of the Department of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court, received the highest professional award – the Mark of Distinction of System of Justice of 3rd rank. The award was presented by Dzintars Rasnacs, the Minister of Justice, and Eriks Kalnmeiers, the Prosecutor General. Photo from archive of the Ministry of Justice
07.11.2014. On the eve of a Public Holiday Week, Aija Branta, the judge of the Chamber of Criminal Cases of the Supreme Court, received the highest professional award – the Mark of Distinction of System of Justice of 2nd rank. The award was presented by Dzintars Rasnacs, the Minister of Justice, and Eriks Kalnmeiers, the Prosecutor General. Photo from archive of the Ministry of Justice
30.10.2014. The Department of Administrative Cases of the Supreme Court, rejected application filed by a political party “Social democratic party “Saskana”” regarding annulment of the decision of the Central Election Commission on results of elections to the 12th Saeima (Parliament) in its part regarding election results in Latgale constituency. This case was one of cases of 2014, which received the widest publicity, and several tens of media representatives followed it in court hearing. Photo from archive of Leta
21.10.2014. Having reached maximum age to hold an office of a judge stipulated in the law “On Judicial Power”, on October 31, term of office of a judge of Gunars Aigars, who had been the Chair of the Chamber of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court since the establishment of the chamber in 1995, expired. After leaving the office of a judge, the Saeima (Parliament) awarded Gunars Aigars with the title of the Judge Emeritus and he has received the Themis Award of the Supreme Court in the collective vote for the second time in nomination “The Person of the Year”.
25.09.2014. Almost fifty judges and employees of the Supreme Administrative Court of Lithuania led by Ricardas Piliciauskas, the President of the Court, visited the Supreme Court to get acquainted with work of the highest court instance of Latvia and to share their experience. Lithuanian colleagues – judges – were welcomed by judges of the Department of Administrative Cases – Janis Neimanis and Dace Mita show work premises of judges.
15.09.2014. The Plenary Session or the general meeting of judges re-elected Inara Garda, the judge of the Department of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court, to the office of a member of the Council for the Judiciary for next four years
05.09.2014. Foreign colleagues – judges of Supreme Courts of Lithuania, Poland and Georgia, who are also members of Councils for the Judiciary, participated at Latvian Judges’ Conference. Photo of guests of Judges’ Conference: (from the left) Andrzej Adamczuk and Katarzyna Gonera, members of the National Council for Judiciary of Poland, judges of the Supreme Court, Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Chairman of the Council for the Judiciary of Latvia, Solvita Aboltina, the Speaker of the Saeima (Parliament) of the Republic of Latvia, Levan Murusidze, the Secretary of the High Council of Justice of Georgia, the judge of the Supreme Court, Gintaras Kryzevicius, the Chairman of Judicial Council and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Algis Norkunas, the member of the Judicial Council and the judge of the Supreme Court of Lithuania, and Merab Gabinashvili, the member of the High Council of Justice, the judge of the Supreme Court of Georgia.
03.09.2014. Within framework of a programme on international exchange of experience among Councils for the Judiciary, which is organised by the Latvian Council for the Judiciary and the Supreme Court due to assessment of the first quadrennial period of activity of the Council for the Judiciary, discussion on interaction between Councils for the Judiciary and institutions of judicial self-government took place in the Supreme Court, with participation of Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and judges Inara Garda, Peteris Dzalbe, Gunars Aigars and Marika Senkane, who represent institutions of judicial self-government, and guests – representatives of Councils for the Judiciary from Poland, Lithuania and Georgia.
15.07.2014. The President of the State takes judge’s oath of Aigars Strupiss
30.05.2014. During visit to Latvia, Richard Whish, the Professor Emeritus of London King’s College, Honorary Queen's Counsel, visited the Supreme Court, where he met Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and got familiarised with the museum of the Court. In the picture – Edijs Poga, the Director of the Latvian Law Institute (from the left), Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Richard Whish, the Professor Emeritus of the London King’s College
20.05.2014. Jautrite Briede and Andris Gulans, judges of the Supreme Court Department of Administrative Cases, and Aija Reitupe, Sandija Audzere and Diana Makarova, judges of the Administrative district court, when going to visit of exchange of experience, visited several administrative courts of Poland – administrative courts of Warsaw region and Kielce region, which are the first instance courts, and the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland in Warsaw
04.05.2014. The highest State Awards – the Order of Three Stars and the Cross of Recognition have been received by ten judges of the Supreme Court, but the employee is granted such appreciation for the first time. Inta Kirse dedicated 34 years of her life to work in the Supreme Court – she had been the Head of the Chancery, the assistant to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, adviser in the Division of Complaints, and she still has worked in the Supreme Court – in the Document Administration Division
14.04.2014. Conference “Courts in Legal Culture Space”
31.03.2014. "Mastermind – the professional in law of the highest standard”, thus Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, characterizes Doctor of Law, Professor Habilitus Kalvis Torgans, stressing that it was valuable school for the Supreme Court judges – to work beside the greatest authority in field of civil law, to learn from his thoughts, work methods and discussions. On March 31, term of office of a judge of Kalvis Torgans, stipulated by the law, expired.
21.02.2014. After the Plenary Session of the Supreme Court, Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, greets Aldis Lavins, the judge of the Department of Civil Cases
24.01.2014. Developing constructive cooperation with media, the Supreme Court organised informative educational Media Day, to which journalists from national and regional newspapers, television and web sites, who write about and create television programmes about justice, were invited
19.12.2013. Receivers of Themis Award-2013: (from the left) Inta Kirse, the Employee of the Year, Kalvis Torgans – the Person of the Year, Linda Vigante, Judge’s Assistant of the Year, Marite Zagere – the Judge of the Year
19.12.2013. Management of the Supreme Court together with former judges and relatives of senators of the Senate of Latvia at the ceremonial sitting dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the Senate of Latvia
19.12.2013. The Professors Council of the Faculty of Law of the University of Latvia elected Dr.iur. Jautrite Briede, the senator of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Senate, in the office of the professor. On December 19, on behalf of the Faculty of Law, she presented to the Supreme Court the Papinian’s Award – for long-term and close cooperation in development and strengthening of legal culture and education, popularization of the title of the Faculty of Law in the society, and due to the 95th anniversary of the Senate of Latvia
19.12.2013. Janis Bordans, the Minister of Justice, and Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, present the Mark of Distinction of the System of Justice to Inguna Radzevica, the senator of the Department of Criminal Cases of the Senate
20.11.2013. On the 95th anniversary of the System of Justice, Inara Garda, the senator of the Supreme Court, received the Mark of Distinction of the System of Justice.
18.11.2013. The 95th anniversary of the Republic of Latvia – the President of the State Andris Berzins, the Speaker of the Parliament Solvita Aboltina, the Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ivars Bickovics put flowers near the Freedom Monument.
22.10.2013. Body of twenty-two authors under scientific editorship of the Doctor of Law, the senator Jautrite Briede, has prepared book of comments on the Administrative Procedure Law. The publisher – the Courthouse Agency – points that this book is special, as comments on the Administrative Procedure Law have been prepared and published for the first time.
20.08.2013. Within training week for new judges this was day of training in conduct of court proceedings, which was organised by the Judicial Training Centre in cooperation with the Supreme Court. Ten judges of district (city) courts, who have just commenced to execute judicial duties or still have in-service training for position of a judge, tried to conduct court proceedings in court room of the Senate of the Supreme Court.
15.07.2013. Managers of judicial and state administration institutions and lecturers of higher educational institutions from Kirgizstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as managers of regional programmes of German Association for International Cooperation (GIZ) met Gunars Aigars, the deputy of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Chair of the Chamber of Civil Cases, and Jautrite Briede, the senator of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Senate, the associated professor of the University of Latvia. During the conversation guests got insight into Latvian court system and place of the Supreme Court in that and got acquainted with experience of implementation of administrative courts and administrative proceedings in Latvia.
05.07.2013. While on a visit in Latvia, judges of the European Court of Human Rights - Ineta Ziemele, the President of the Fourth Chamber, who is elected from Latvia; Josep Casadevall, the First Vice-President of the ECHR and the President of the Third Chamber, who is elected from Andorra; Nina Tsotsoria, the judge of the Third Chamber, who is elected from Georgia and Thor Bjorgvinsson, the Vice-President of the Fourt Chamber, who is elected from Iceland, met judges of the Supreme Court.
03.06.2013. Delegation of the Supreme Court of the Slovak Republic led by the Chief Justice Mr.Stefan Harabin (Štefan Harabin) got acquainted with the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia and Latvian court system. On the picture – delegation of the Supreme Court of Slovakia together with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Latvia, Chairs of the Senate Departments and Court Chambers, Head of the Division of Case-law and of the Administration. The delegation of the Supreme Court of the Slovak Republic also visited Riga regional court, the Prosecutor’s general Office, the Constitutional Court and Bauska district court.
01.06.2013. Final of play of court proceedings in civil law is carried out in the Supreme Court. The 1st of June, 2013
22.05.2013. In lecture arranged by the State Chancery about Voldemars Zamuels, the Chair of Latvian Provisional National Council and the Head of the eighth Cabinet of Ministers in 1924, who had been also an outstanding lawyer of the Independent State of Latvia – one of the first six senators of Latvian Senate, the first Chief Prosecutor of the Senate, as well as the advocate, it was also possible to look at interesting and valuable exhibit from the collection of the museum of the Supreme Court – Zamuels’ family tree, design of which was initiated by the ex-senator himself. The family tree was kept in the United States of America by the great-grandson of the senator and it was brought to Latvia and presented to the Supreme Court by Mara Celle, representative of the family of the daughter-in-law of V.Zamuels (from the right).
30.04.2013. After 41 years worked in the system of justice, Skaidrite Lodzina, the senator of the Department of Civil Cases of the Senate, has terminated execution of judicial duties. When going to retire, good words were said by colleagues and ex-chiefs stood besides, namely, Gunars Aigars, the Chair of the Chamber of Civil Cases and Zigmants Gencs, the Chair of the Department of Civil Cases of the Senate. Skaidrite Lodzina Skaidrite Lodzina had been the judge of the Supreme Court since 1995 – for twelve years in the Chamber of Civil Cases and since 2007 – in the Department of Civil Cases of the Senate.
20.03.2013. Zane Petersone, the acting judge of the Chamber of Civil Cases, the Doctor of Law (the first from the right) gave special contribution to field of Latvian legal literature – her book “Means of civil legal protection of intellectual property”, which was developed for nine years on the basis of Doctoral Thesis, is the first book in Latvia about theme of protection of intellectual property. In the event dedicated to the opening of the book in the Supreme Court, words of appreciation to new talented lawyer, judge and author were said by Santa Sausina, the member of the Board of the Court House Agency, which published the book; Gunars Aigars, the Chair of the Chamber of Civil Cases, and the senator, professor Kalvis Torgans, the author of the preface to the book and host of the event.
11.-13.03.2013. Representatives of the Administration of the Supreme Court get acquainted with experience of work of the Supreme Court of Norway
15.02.2013. On the 91st anniversary of adoption of the Satversme (the Constitution) of the Republic of Latvia, opening of the unique edition – “Comments on the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia. Chapter VI. The Court. Chapter VII. The State Control” took place in the Supreme Court, which was opened by allocutions of Andris Berzins, the President of the State, Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Gunars Kutris, the Chair of the Constitutional Court, Elita Krumina, the State Controller, Janis Bordans, the Minister of Justice, Zbignevs Stankevics, Riga archbishop and metropolitan. On the picture – the President of the State with authors, editorial board and publishers of the Comments on Constitution.
15.02.2013. Andris Berzins, the President of the State, visits the Supreme Court
25.01.2013. New Judicial Qualifications Committee, elected by judges last year, in its first session re-elected Gunars Aigars, the Chair of the Chamber of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court, for the post of the Chair of the Committee. Mr.Aigars has managed the Judicial Qualifications Committee for thirteen years already. However, Ervins Kuskis, the Chair of the Chamber of Criminal Cases, was elected for the post of the deputy of the Chair of the Committee. The Judicial Qualifications Committee in the first session (from the left): Kristine Zdanovska, Ervins Kuskis, Gunita Galina, Inara Zarina, the Chair of the Judicial Qualifications Committee Gunars Aigars, Anna Biksiniece, Silva Reinholde, Veronika Krumina and Zita Kupce
20.12.2012. Themis Award – 2012: Themis Award is award of the Supreme Court given according to collective vote in four nominations. On the photo – receivers of Themis Awards of 2012 (from the left): the Employee of the Year – Uldis Cuma-Zvirbulis, the Head of the Finance Division, Assistant to the Judge of the Year – Gunvaldis Davidovics, the assistant to the senator of the Department of Civil Cases of the Senate, the Judge of the Year – Edite Vernusa, the senator of the Department of Civil Cases of the Senate, and the Person of the Year – Zigmants Gencs, the Chair of the Department of Civil Cases of the Senate.
21.12.2012. The Plenary Session of the Supreme Court on the 21st of December re-elected the senator Veronika Krumina for the post of the Chair of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Senate. Pursuant to the law “On Judicial Power”, Chairs of department of the Senate and court chambers of the Supreme Court are elected by general meeting of judges for the term of five years.
19.12.2012. On historically significant day – on the 94th anniversary of the Senate, which is on the 19th of December, last group of students of this year from the University of Latvia visited the Supreme Court, meeting Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, getting acquainted with operation of court system and the Supreme Court and visiting historical Palace of Justice. Within Days of first-year students, as from September 12 groups, that is approximately 350 students, from the University of Latvia, Riga University named by P.Stradins, Daugavpils University, Business High School Turiba, Rezekne High School, Baltic International Academy, Law College and Valmiera secondary school, visited the Supreme Court.
11.12.2012. The collection of rulings of the Senate of 2011 is published in cooperation with “Latvijas Vestnesis” and the book became a bibliographical rarity in the first week after being published already. Opening the book, Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, expressed his satisfaction that it was possible to keep one of the oldest traditions of the Senate – to edit collection of the most significant rulings of the year. Such collections have been published since restoration of the Senate of the Supreme Court in 1995. Yet more and more rulings of the Senate are available on the Internet, being published in respectable book, they are kept as historical evidence of legal thought and practice of the Senate.
10.12.2012. Students of explorative journalism programme visit the Supreme Court
07.12.2012. Opening the seminar on constitutional law in the Constitutional Court: Solvita Aboltina, the Chair of the Saeima, Gunars Kutris, the Chair of the Constitutional Court and Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
02.11.2012. Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, opens Latvian Judicial Conference