This year's Shadow Day at the Supreme Court was particularly lively: schoolchildren who signed up for the shadowing at the Supreme Court, as well as ‘shadows’ from the Ministry of Justice, law firm TGS Baltic and Rietumu Banka learned about the work of a judge while also having a look in a courtroom, learning about the history of the Senate in the Supreme Court Museum and touring the historic Palace of Justice.

22 students from Preiļi, Līvāni, Lubāna, Bauska, Jelgava, Olaine, Valmiera, Saldus, Saulkrasti, Ropaži and Rīga visited the Supreme Court. In their applications, they expressed a genuine interest in learning more about the work and daily routine of a judge in order to gain confirmation regarding the choice of their future profession.

At the start of the day, the students met with the President of the Supreme Court, Aigars Strupišs, who told them about the Latvian judicial system and the work of the Supreme Court. The President also talked about the types of disputes that the Court deals with and explained the skills needed to work as a judge and the tests judicial candidates must pass. The visitors inquired about the duties of the President of the Supreme Court and what determines the importance of a case when it is referred for examination by an extended judicial panel. Moreover, Aigars Strupišs explained the work of the Judicial Council, which is chaired by him. He also explained the fundamental function of the Supreme Court, which is the development of uniform case-law.

Aivars Uminskis, Senator of the Senate's Department of Criminal Cases, conducted a moot court in which students examined a criminal case concerning the theft of a bicycle. The students assumed different roles – becoming a judge, a prosecutor, a defendant, a defence counsel, a victim and a witness. At the conclusion of the Shadow Day, students said that this activity was the most interesting, as it gave them the opportunity not only to see how court proceedings are conducted, but also to participate in it themselves under the guidance of an experienced judge. It helped them to better understand the responsibility of the judge in making a decision and the role of the parties in arguing their case.

The day continued with the ‘shadows’ visiting their ‘shadow-givers’ – Senator Ivars Bičkovičs of the Department of Criminal Cases, Senators Dzintra Balta, Kristīne Zīle and Sanita Osipova of the Department of Civil Cases, Senators Indra Meldere and Ermīns Darapoļskis of the Department of Administrative Cases, Legal research counsel Viktorija Soņeca of the Department of Civil Cases and Senator’s assistant Māra Bileskalne of the Department of Civil Cases. The students found the discussions highly valuable, and the experience they gained further strengthened their interest in the legal profession.

In the course of the day, the students also toured the historic Palace of Justice and visited the Supreme Court Museum.

The Shadow Day, a globally popular career education event for schoolchildren, is organised annually in Latvia by Junior Achievement Latvia. Its main aim is to broaden schoolchildren’s horizons and understanding of the knowledge and skills needed for their future careers.

 

Baiba Kataja, Communication Specialist of the Supreme Court

+371 67020396; e-mail: baiba.kataja@at.gov.lv