The title of the Honorary Judge has been given for the first time in history of the Supreme Court. In the session on the 17th of March the Saeima unanimously gave it to Aiva Zarina – the ex-judge of the Supreme Court.

While expressing appreciation for long-term and irreproachable execution of judge’s duties, and to approve respect and gratitude for work done, the Board of Justice according to proposal of Gunars Aigars, the Chair of the Chamber of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court submitted a suggestion to award Aiva Zarina with the title of the Honorary Judge.

Aiva Zarina has worked as a judge for 46 years. In 1965 she was elected for the post of the judge of the court Central district (Kirov district that time) of Riga city, and five years later, purchasing trust of colleagues, she was elected for the post of the Chair of this court. Aiva Zarina has worked in the Supreme Court since 1995, starting to execute judge’s duties in the Judicial Panel of Civil Cases, and after new structure was approved, she was appointed for the post of the judge in the Chamber of Civil Cases.

Being a lawyer with extended theoretical knowledge and great experience of practical work, Aiva Zarina participated in work groups of work out of Code on Judicial Ethics and draft law “On Judicial Power”. He also worked in the work group on preparation of Code on Labour Laws of Latvia and work out of draft law of the Law on Labour. Aiva Zarina has been member of Judicial Disciplinary Committee for many years.

Aiva Zarina purchased respect, recognition and authority among colleagues as responsible and far and wide knowing lawyer with great experience of practical work. In 2005 Aiva Zarina received a Themis Award of the Supreme Court in nomination “The Judge of the Year”, but in 2010 – in nomination “The Person of the Year”. A. Zarina is awarded with Mark of Distinction of the Judicial System of the 1st tier and the highest State award – the Order of Three Stars.

On the 16th of February, 2011, Aiva Zarina was dismissed from the post of the judge of the Supreme Court as her age reached maximum age for execution of duties of the judge established in the law.

The Article 66 of the law “On Judicial Power” states that the Saeima according to suggestion of the Board of Justice may present the title of the Honorary Judge to a judge who had worked in good faith and who has terminated execution of his/her duties. It is honorary title, but the law provides that the Honorary Judge of the Supreme Court may replace the judge of the Senate or the Chamber of the Supreme Court in case of vacancy or temporary absence.

Previously, the title of the Honorary Judge was presented to three ex-judges of regional courts – Karlis Valdemiers, the Chair of Latgale regional court, Mara Maria Cherkasova, the judge of Riga regional court and Roberts Lazdans, the judge of Kurzeme regional court.


Information prepared by

Head of the Division of Communications of the Supreme Court Rasma Zvejniece

E-mail: rasma.zvejniece@at.gov.lv, telephone: 7020396, 28652211