9 February, 2024
On Friday, February 9, at the meeting of the Judicial Council, the members of the Judicial Council discussed several work issues of the Council with Edgars Rinkēvičs, the President of Latvia.
Aigars Strupišs, the Chair of the Judicial Council, informed the President of Latvia about the current events of the Judicial Council and the work priorities of 2024. Aigars Strupišs pointed out that the work of the Judicial Council is aimed at improving the efficiency of the judicial system, raising the capacity of judges and improving the professional qualifications of court employees, as well as developing high-quality methodology. "Therefore, this year the Judicial Council plans to approve the concept for the transfer of the judicial system's administrative support functions from the executive power to the judicial power, to evaluate the results of the judicial system reforms, as well as to review the position standards of judicial system support personnel and the development possibilities of the remuneration system thereof," emphasized the Chair of the Judicial Council.
When discussing the issue of strengthening the independence of the judiciary, Guntars Ploriņš, a member of the Judicial Council, the Chair of the Valmiera Courthouse of the Administrative District Court, reported on the initial plan regarding the status and functions of the Judicial Council at the time when Latvia planned to join the European Union. What regards the independence of the judicial system, Aigars Strupišs, the Chair of the Judicial Council, said that “the institutional independence of the judiciary should definitely be strengthened. The operation of the judicial system has been negatively affected by the fact that the administrative functions and budget of district (city) courts and regional courts are under the supervision of the executive power. Currently, in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, we are developing a concept to take over the administrative functions of the judicial system from the executive power." Edgars Rinkēvičs, the President of Latvia, stated that a lot has been done to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, but there is still work to be done. Moreover, the President mentioned that independence is not absolute and in a country governed by the rule of law everyone must act according to the Constitution.
In order to increase public confidence in the judiciary, the President of Latvia called on the judiciary to explain its decisions. The President also drew attention to the role of the Judicial Council in ensuring the internal security of the country, where courts make lawful and fair decisions. Aigars Strupišs, the Chair of the Judicial Council, agreed to this, stating that the judiciary is the final stage in the law enforcement system, which is why this stage should be the strongest, because it is the one that has the final say in ensuring the rule of law in the country.