19 November, 2014
The Council for the Judiciary has sent a proposal to the Saeima (Parliament) to award Gunars Aigars, the former Chair of the Chamber of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court, and Astrida Herta Berzina, the former Chair of Kurzeme regional court, with the title of Judge Emeritus.
Proposal on awarding of Gunars Aigars with the title of Judge Emeritus was submitted by Ivars Bickovics, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Gaidis Berzins, the former Minister of Justice, who in his turn made this proposal upon recommendation of Maris Vigants, the Chair of the Administrative regional court.
It is indicated in justification of a proposal that Gunars Aigars dedicated to the office of a judge 47 years of his life. As from 1967 was the judge of Liepaja court and the Chair of respective court, in 1990 became a judge of the Supreme Court. In 1995, when establishing new structure of the Supreme Court, was elected to the office of the Chair of the Chamber of Civil Cases and held it until retirement in 2014. He had been the deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for nineteen years, and the Chair of the Judicial Qualification Committee – for fifteen years.
Proposal on awarding of Astrida Herta Berzina with the title of Judge Emeritus was submitted by Silva Reinholde, the Chair of Kurzeme regional court, on behalf of collective of the court.
It is pointed out in the proposal that Astrida Herta Berzina had been the judge and the Chair of Kurzeme regional court since establishment of the regional court in 1995 until retirement in 2005. Previously she had been the judge of Liepaja court, and since 1998 – also the Chair of Liepaja court.
The Council for the Judiciary, grounding on documents submitted, which characterize professional activity of both former judges, adopted a decision in written procedure.
In accordance with Section 66 of the law “On Judicial Power”, the Saeima upon proposal of the Council for the Judiciary may award the judge, who had worked in good faith and had terminated judge’s activity, with the title of Judge Emeritus.
Information prepared by
Rasma Zvejniece, the Head of the Division of Communication
E-mail: rasma.zvejniece@at.gov.lv, telephone: 67020396, 2865221