The website of the Supreme Court now features an overview of questions of interpretation submitted by Latvian courts to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). Until now, Latvian courts have referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union 128 times (the Senate (Supreme Court) in 82 cases, regional courts in 17 cases, district (city) courts in 20 cases, the Constitutional Court in 9 cases).

The overview is created according to two parameters – by applicant and by area of law.

By applicant, the overview is divided into four subsections (four courts that referred the questions). Namely, the Senate, regional courts, district (city) courts and the Constitutional Court.

When considering the applications by area of ​​law, the cases are grouped into 10 areas of law. The number of areas of law may vary depending on the questions submitted by Latvian courts.

Both types of the overview contain information about the EU legal acts and norms, regarding which questions have been submitted. Key words are indicated, according to which it is easier to understand the essence of a specific case.

Where possible, hyperlinks are added to court rulings regarding which questions of interpretation have been asked, as well as to information of the Court of Justice of the European Union regarding the consideration of these questions, and to Latvian courts’ rulings adopted following a preliminary ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

The overview is regularly updated. The Supreme Court encourages to follow the news and court proceedings also on the website of the Court of Justice of the European Union https://curia.europa.eu/.

Additional information

Pursuant to Article 267 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, courts may refer or are obliged to refer to the Court of Justice of the European Union if, in their opinion, a response from the Court of Justice of the European Union is necessary regarding the interpretation of the treaties of the European Union or the validity and interpretation of the legal acts of the European Union's institutions or bodies. A court whose decision cannot be appealed has the obligation, not the right, to refer to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

 

Information prepared by

Rasma Zvejniece, the Head of the Division of Communication of the Supreme Court

E-mail: rasma.zvejniece@at.gov.lv, telephone: +371 67020396, +371 28652211