The fact that the professor Kalvis Torgans is a prolific author of legal literature is a general truth – he can take pride in both having the highest number of publications and the heaviest book of commentaries, as well as his legal findings are cited most often. The opening of the book "Kalvis Torgans in the field of civil rights and in life" on 17 May at the University of Latvia was a special event, because the book is about the author himself – a bright personality of Kalvis Torgans, who has also been Senator of the Department of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court.

Biographical book of nearly 400 pages is unique not only because of memoirs included in it, but it is also as an extensive source for further studies about academic and professor, sworn advocate and the Senator of the Supreme Court, Dean at the Faculty of Law and longtime Head of the Department of Civil Law of the University of Latvia. However, the literary editor Sannija Matule recognizes that the aim of the creation of the book was not to reiterate and confirm how significant Kalvis Torgans is to Latvian legal family, but rather to show the professor from the other side which is actually concealed from public. It is professor's private life, family, personality development, different life events, thoughts and feelings.

While the chief editor of the periodical "Jurista Vārds" (Lawyer’s Word) Dina Gailite points to the reluctance and modesty of Latvian people when writing memoirs about themselves; a short time ago the ice of silence was broken by the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Gvido Zemribo as he issued his memoirs. “Latvian lawyers should be proud that there are brave people among them who take courage and reveal their life stories to a wider audience,” says Dina Gailite, stressing that it is considerable success that such a step is taken by Kalvis Torgans. “When exploring such a large-scale, deep personality, book readers (they certainly will not be only lawyers) will positively change many of their ideas about the lawyers and the environment in which they operate. For legal practitioners, in turn, this will be a true gift – an opportunity to get closer to one of the greatest authorities in the field of Latvian civil rights - legendary, loved, respected and admired person.”

Although Kalvis Torgans has been a judge only a brief period of his life – for six years – an entire book chapter is dedicated to this time "Judge's Work in Focus". In one’s time he was present at the discussion with Rolands Krauze, former Senator of the Supreme Court, University Professor. When he was asked what to do if the Supreme Court, that is, the highest court instance, has made a mistake, the answer has been: the only way out is to cry. "That is why I decided to reduce such crying events, and at the court I really can influence and accelerate the implementation of such knowledge, which vibrates in the air, because it is a judge, not a scientist which has such possibility," says Kalvis Torgans. His story about judicial work is complemented by memoirs of colleagues Edite Vernusa and Valerijans Jonikans.

A total of 25 confreres have shared private memories and thoughts about the book’s main character. Therefore, this book is a collaborative effort – said Kalvis Torgans during book’s opening event. At the end of the book the bibliography of Kalvis Torgans is included (1966-2017).

The book is published by the Courthouse Agency and is commercially available since 12 May.

 

 

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