In court hearing on 28 January, the Department of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court resumed proceedings in the case initiated due to ancillary complaints filed by the State Joint-Stock Company “Riga International Airport”” (Riga airport) and Joint-Stock Company “Air Baltic Corporation” against the decision of the Court of Appeal of Lithuania regarding recognition and enforcement of foreign ruling in Latvia.  Several pleadings of parties to proceedings were examined in the court hearing.

The court satisfied pleading of the Riga airport to postpone examination of a case, permitting to submit additional evidence, which is related to significance of the Riga airport from the aspect of state security and possible calculation of losses, in the case.

Riga airport and “Air Baltic Corporation” asked to stay proceedings in the case due to submission of the application to Vilnius regional court regarding cancellation of claim collateral. The court rejected these requests.

The court also ordered the applicant, namely, “flyLAL” to submit evidence for justification of calculation of amount of claim collateral to the court.

Next date of examination of a case is not stated yet.

On 31 December 2008, the Court of Appeal of Lithuania upheld the decision of Vilnius regional court to arrest property of the Riga airport and “Air Baltic Corporation” JCS worth of almost 200 million Lithuanian litas (40 765 320 Latvian lats), requested by “flyLAL”, who blamed “Air Baltic Corporation” JSC for unfair competition.

The Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia addressed the Court of Justice of the European Union for reference for preliminary ruling regarding how the EU Regulation on recognition of court rulings of other Member State should be construed. Having received preliminary judgement of the European Court of Justice, which provided answers to questions of the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court had reason to resume proceedings in the case.


Information prepared by Baiba Kataja, the Press secretary of the Supreme Court
Telephone: 67020396; e-mail: baiba.kataja@at.gov.lv