The Plenary Session is the assembly of all judges of the Supreme Court, convened by the President of the Supreme Court upon his own initiative or that of a Suprememe Court department. The agenda of the Plenary Session is defined by the President of the Supreme Court.
Judges Emeriti of the Supreme Court and the regional court judges, replacing the judges of the Supreme Court, may participate in the Plenary Session, without the right to vote. The Prosecutor General of the Republic of Latvia is also entitled to participate in the work of the Plenary Session and to express his opinion on issues on the agenda.
Judges wear their robes and judicial insignia when participating in the Plenary Session.
Authority of the Plenary Session is regulated by Section 49 of the law "On Judicial Power" and the Rules of Procedure of the Plenary Session.
Authority of the Plenary Session
The Plenary Session of the Supreme Court:
1. Nominates a candidate for the position of the President of the Supreme Court for the approval by the Saeima (parliament)
- On 14 April 2025, Aigars Strupišs was nominated for the office of the President
2. Provides opinion, whether grounds exist for the removal from office of the President of the Supreme Court or the Prosecutor General
3. Elects the Chairs of the Supreme Court Departments
- Anita Kovaļevska, Chair of the Department of Administrative Cases, was elected on 9 September 2024; Aivars Uminskis, Chair of the Department of Criminal Cases, was elected on 14 April 2025, Normunds Salenieks, Chair of the Department of Civil Cases, was elected on 11 September 2020
4. Elects one member of the Central Elections Commission from among judges
- On 12 December 2022, Marika Senkāne was elected in the office of the member of the Central Elections Commission
5. Nominates two candidates for the position of a Constitutional Court judge from among the judges
- Since 2014, Jānis Neimanis, nominated by the Plenary Session of the Supreme Court, has held the office of a judge of the Constitutional Court, since 2024 - Veronika Krūmiņa
6. Elects one member of the Judicial Council from among the judges of the Supreme Court
- On 9 September 2024, Rudīte Vīduša was elected as a member of the Judicial Council
7. Elects six members of the Disciplinary Court and appoints the Chair of the Disciplinary Court from among them
- On 9 October 2023, Normunds Salenieks was elected in the office of the Chair of the Disciplinary Court
8. Analyses and provides an assessment of the results from the previous year’s work of the Supreme Court and of the report on financial and administrative activities
9. Discusses topical issues on interpretation of legal provisions
10. The Plenary Session, as an institution of judicial self–government, may discuss any topical issue of the Supreme Court or the judicial system
Decisions of the Plenary Session
The Plenary Session is entitled to decide the issues to be considered if more than 2/3 of the total number of judges of the Supreme Court approved and sworn in in accordance with the procedures prescribed by law participate in it.
The Plenary Session adopts decisions by voting “for”, “against” or “abstains from voting”.
The vote is open, unless the Plenary Session decides otherwise. When electing officials or giving an opinion on dismissal of the President of the Supreme Court or removal of the Prosecutor General from the office, the vote shall take place in a closed sitting.
Decisions of the Plenary Session are adopted considering the majority of votes present. The decision on dismissal of the President of the Supreme Court or removal of the Prosecutor General from the office is adopted, if not less than two-thirds of total number of judges of the Supreme Court have voted for it.
Availability of information
The Plenary Sessions are open. If the Plenary Session deems it necessary, particular issues may be reviewed in a closed sitting. The sittings, during which the issue of revoking the President of the Supreme Court or the Prosecutor General is discussed, are closed.
Decisions adopted in an open meeting and an operative part of a decision adopted in closed meetings of the Plenary Session is information of general accessibility and it is published on the website of the Supreme Court.
Secretary of the Plenary Session
The Plenary Session elects from among the judges the Secretary of the Plenary Session for the term of three years. The secretary of the Plenary Session develops drafts of agendas and decisions of the Plenary Session, compiles proposals made, counts votes in open voting and processes minutes of the Plenary Session.
- On 8 September 2025, Marika Senkāne was elected as the Secretary of the Plenary Session
Marika Senkāne, Secretary of the Plenary Session