Today Gaidis Berzins, the Minister of Justice, in festive ceremony in the Supreme Court gave award of judiciary – the Mark of Distinction of Judicial System to eight officials belonging to judiciary. The Mark of Distinction has three tiers.

Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, is awarded with 1st tier Mark of Distinction of Judicial System for excellent lifelong contribution to development of Latvian judicial system, strengthening democracy and rule of law in Latvia and in the world. Jautrite Briede, the senator of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Senate, is awarded with 2nd tier Mark of Distinction of Judicial System for essential contribution to development of Latvian judicial system, strengthening democracy and rule of law, as well as for promotion of knowledge and professionalism of persons belonging to court system. Voldemars Cizevskis and Arturs Freibergs, senators of the Department of Criminal Cases of the Senate, and Peteris Opincans, judge of the Chamber of Criminal Cases, are awarded with 3rd tier Mark of Distinction of Judicial System for long-term model, honest and creative execution of judicial duties and essential contribution to Latvian judiciary.

The 3rd tier Mark of Distinction of Judicial System today is given also to Solvita Kalnina-Caune, the director of Latvian Judicial Training Centre, to ex-bailiff Vita Jonase and Lucija Kreile, the sworn notary.

Greeting on this award, Gaidis Berzins, the Minister of Justice, expressed satisfaction of so many outstanding and clever representatives of judiciary. The Minister wished muster to continue tasks in hands, wishing health and success.

Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, when expressing his gratitude for evaluation of his work, thanked the Ministry of Justice for founding a professional award. “Work of a judge, a notary, a bailiff or an advocate is not easy, it has been blamed and criticised often, so it is very important to evaluate particular achievements in professional career”, said the Chief Justice. I.Bickovics expressed his pleasure that Solvita Kalnina-Caune, the director of Latvian Judicial Training Centre, who takes care about judges daily by organising trainings and thus increasing level of knowledge of representatives of all legal professions, was also awarded today.

Marks of Distinction of Judicial System were given for the fifth time today. Special award of Judicial System was founded in 2008, celebrating the 90th anniversary of Latvian judiciary.

 

Information prepared by Baiba Kataja, the Press Secretary of the Supreme Court

E-mail: baiba.kataja@at.gov.lv, telephone: 67020396; 28652211