The tasks and challenges faced by the supreme courts have become much more alike, especially in relation to membership of the European Union, and this is a good reason for deeper cooperation and exchange of experience – as it was concluded at the first joint seminar of the presidents of the Supreme Courts of the Nordic and Baltic countries on September 25 in Finland, where the President of the Supreme Court of Latvia, Aigars Strupišs, shared Latvia's experience.

The annual meeting of the Supreme Courts of the Baltic States is a long-standing tradition. The Presidents of the Supreme Courts of the Nordic countries also meet every year to discuss common issues of interest. This year, however, a broader seminar was held, attended for the first time by the presidents of the Supreme Courts and Supreme Administrative Courts of both the Nordic and Baltic countries.

Current issues facing all Supreme Courts were discussed, as well as experiences in ensuring uniform judicial practice.

One of the topics of discussion was judicial independence. “It turns out that similarly to us the Nordic countries are also working on separating the organizational issues of the judiciary from the executive branch. Thus, we are on the right track,” said Aigars Strupišs, President of the Supreme Court of Latvia.

The participants agreed that such extended cooperation between the Supreme Courts of the Nordic and Baltic countries, the exchange of experience, and the discussion of topical issues should continue. “The discussions were very interesting. This kind of mutual exchange of information and ideas is very useful. Therefore, everyone agreed that such meetings should become a regular tradition," emphasized Aigars Strupišs.

 

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

Photo by the Supreme Court of Finland