On Friday, 14 March, the Supreme Court was visited by schoolchildren and students, who received a tour and a meeting with Anita Kovaļevska, the Chair of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Senate, as one of the prizes of the essay writing contest "Me and the European Union".

In a conversation with the essay writers, their teachers and parents, Senator Anita Kovaļevska and Legal research counsel Jānis Geks elaborated on the themes of a democratic society, the interaction between freedom and responsibility, and a state governed by the rule of law. Given that the schoolchildren and students visited the Supreme Court, the role of the court in the state was more broadly outlined. Through examples of cases examined by the Court, the areas of law and the interaction of Latvian courts with European law were explained. Guests were interested in the conditions for becoming a senator.

After the conversation, the schoolchildren and students also visited the Supreme Court Museum and toured the historic premises of the Palace of Justice.

The essay writing contest was organised by the Institute of Public Law. 68 essays were evaluated that could be submitted in Latvian, Latgalian, Lithuanian, Livonian, Estonian and Ukrainian languages. The group of visitors to the Supreme Court also included Ukrainian schoolchildren studying in Latvian schools.

The prizes for the essay writers included valuable books, a chance to meet with parliamentary, government or court officials and a guided tour of the institution of the participants' choice. Winners could also choose a companion – their favourite teacher.

 

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