21 January, 2021
In order to approve the new Code of Judicial Ethics, the Judicial Council convenes an extramural conference of Latvian judges.
The draft of Code of Judicial Ethics has been developed by the Judicial Ethics Commission. It is sent to all judges. An electronic voting on the approval of the Code will take place on February 2.
The current Code of Judicial Ethics has been in force since 1995. When working with this Code, the Judicial Ethics Commission is increasingly confronted with its shortcomings, as several provisions of the Code do not correspond to modern situations, they duplicate the prohibitions established by law, but some are not applicable at all. Several canons have become obsolete as the law changes, but some are not included, indicating the need to revise and improve the Code.
The updated Code of Judicial Ethics consists of a preamble and five canons – independence, integrity and dignity, objectivity, competence, compliance. Each canon contains the essence of the principle and its areas of application.
Compared to the current Code, the new Code is designed as a set of principles for the ethical conduct of judges and no longer contains detailed rules of conduct. Also, the Code no longer includes situations that today are regulated by laws and regulations.
After more than a year-long discussion of the draft of the Code and hearing the proposals of judges, the Code updated by the Judicial Ethics Commission has been submitted for approval to the Latvian Judges Conference.
The Judicial Council appointed Adrija Bulina, the Chair of Riga City Pardaugava Court, as the head of the Extramural Conference of Judges, and Vita Rusina, the Judge of Riga City Latgale District Court, as the secretary. Liga Asmane, the Chair of Riga City Zemgale District Court, Liga Grinberga, the Judge of Riga City Vidzeme District, and Inese Berzkalne, the Judge of Riga District Court, will work in the commission for counting votes.
Judges of the Supreme Court, judges of regional courts and judges of district (city) courts participate in the Conference with the right to vote.
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