On 17 June, a delegation of judges and prosecutors from the Czech Republic, France, and Spain visited the Supreme Court as part of an experience-sharing visit organised by the European Judicial Training Network. The delegation was received by the President of the Supreme Court, Aigars Strupišs, and his Advisor, Oskars Kulmanis.

Aigars Strupišs introduced the guests to the Latvian court system as a whole, the functions of the Supreme Court, the composition and jurisdiction of its departments, case statistics, and the career path of a judge. The range of topics of interest to the participants was broad, including questions such as whether Supreme Court rulings serve as precedents, how case law is developed, whether a separate division has been established to hear labour law cases, and how the Supreme Court communicates and cooperates with lower courts and the Constitutional Court.

The participants expressed particular interest in criminal law issues, including proceedings involving minors, domestic violence, and gender-based violence. More detailed information on these topics was provided by Oskars Kulmanis. Representatives from the visiting countries were particularly interested in the role of qualified psychologists in criminal proceedings involving minors, the conduct of psychological assessments, and the availability of resources to ensure such support.

At the conclusion of the visit, the guests also toured the Palace of Justice, viewing the historic Senate Courtroom and the sculpture “Justice,” and gaining insight into the history and development of the Latvian judiciary at the Supreme Court Museum.

The European Judicial Training Network is an international non-profit association established in 2000. It brings together judicial training institutions from all EU Member States with the shared aim of developing and implementing training programmes and exchange activities for members of the European judiciary, thereby contributing to the strengthening of a common European legal area. The exchange visit to Latvia by judges and prosecutors from across Europe, taking place from 15 to 19 June this year, is organised by the Judicial Academy.

 

Information prepared by Iveta Jaudzema, Communication specialist of the Supreme Court of Latvia

Email: iveta.jaudzema@at.gov.lv; phone: +371 67020362