"The establishment of the Supreme Court Administration 20 years ago was the right thing to do, and no reforms should undermine the independence and autonomy of the Supreme Court," said the President of the Supreme Court, Aigars Strupišs, at the 20th anniversary ceremony of the Supreme Court Administration. The Supreme Court has a special role in the hierarchy of the country's judicial system and must therefore have the highest degree of independence, one of the prerequisites for which is its own independent court management, which is ensured by the Supreme Court Administration.

However, 20 years ago, when the Supreme Court Administration was being created, this was not so obvious. As the then President of the Supreme Court, Andris Guļāns, recalled, there was no historical experience, because it had never been done before. There was also internal resistance, because not everyone understood the need for change. However, the aim was to establish the Supreme Court as a modern institution with well-organised internal processes, good technical support and planned development, which would be, to some extent, the most important communicator of the Latvian judicial system and an example of good governance. Anita Kehre, the first head of the Administration, emphasised strengthening of the independence of the Supreme Court as the then goal, "Independence is a very big word, so it can sometimes be used as a ‘cover’. Independence is an abstract word, so sometimes one can try to 'stretch' it to suit one’s needs. For me, independence is first and foremost a sacred word, and it is very gratifying that the Supreme Court of my country is an independent, professional institution with very high standards." She was also pleased with the management team of the Administration, which was set up at that time and has worked in an almost unchanged composition over the years.

Sandra Lapiņa, who has been the head of the Supreme Court Administration for 17 years, noted, "Looking back at these 20 years, there have been various challenges and events, but together we have managed to preserve the most important values – the desire to develop, the ability to cooperate and the unchanged management team within 17 years, which I think makes us unique." She stressed that the work of the Administration is and will always be a team effort, and that the ideas created together have been translated into projects of relevance and importance for the Supreme Court. The Administration has worked under the leadership of three presidents of the Supreme Court – Andris Guļāns, Ivars Bičkovičs and Aigars Strupišs – who have provided valuable insights into different management approaches, personalities and strategies. Each president has brought a unique experience, each cooperation model has been different, thus allowing for learning, development and not falling into routine.

When looking back on its achievements, the Administration has published a book "The Administration of the Supreme Court – 20 years, 20 stories", which was opened together with the presidents, senators and partners of the Supreme Court on the 20th anniversary celebration taking place in the morning of 20 January. Work continues. The Administration's objective remains unchanged: to ensure the highest standards of Supreme Court work in all the areas entrusted to it.

On 30 December 2004, the President of the Supreme Court issued an Order for setting up the Administration and on 20 January 2005 it commenced its work. According to Section 50.1of the Law on Judicial Power, the Administration is a structural unit of the Court which manages the Court's finances, provides material and technical support, maintains records, organises personnel management and training, communicates with the public and conducts international cooperation.

 

Information prepared by

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

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