The book “Law Through the Ages: History, Values, State”, launched at University of Latvia on 29 April, was created as a tribute to Professor Jānis Lazdiņš of the Faculty of Law, a leading scholar of Latvian legal history, on the occasion of his significant anniversary. The scientific monograph was prepared by his contemporaries – scholars from various disciplines holding doctoral degrees – and reflects the professor’s principal research interests: legal history, particularly the study of the foundational sources of Latvian statehood, as well as the philosophy of law.

The book launch event was moderated by the scientific editors of the volume – Supreme Court senators Professor Sanita Osipova and Associate Professor Jānis Pleps. The third scientific editor, Professor Frank L. Schäfer of the University of Freiburg, together with other contributors, presented his article during the event. Another contributor, Associate Professor Elīna Grigore-Bāra – of the University of Latvia and also serving as legal research counsel at the Supreme Court – delivered a presentation as well.

As indicated by its title, the book is divided into three sections: history, values, and the state.

The first section, “History,” opens with articles by the editors exploring legal history as a sub-discipline of law. In his article, “The Role of Legal History in the Application of Law,” Jānis Pleps examines the practical relevance of Latvian legal history and the contribution of legal historians to the restoration of Latvia as a democratic state governed by the rule of law.

Sanita Osipova analyses the development of Latvian legal history as an academic discipline following the restoration of Latvia’s independence in 1990–1991.

The article “Property as a Category of Philosophy of Law” by Elīna Grigore-Bāra appears in the book’s second section, “Values.” The article argues that property as a fundamental right derives from human dignity. Accordingly, all contributions in this section are connected, directly or indirectly, through the concept of human dignity.

The book is available electronically free of charge.

 

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