In spite of eighteen years being independent country, in Latvia there still does not exist the overall confidence in society about independent court institution. Why is that?
Is that because of faulty state court system? Let’s make a short review of court system in Latvia. Judicial power in the Republic of Latvia is vested in district (town) courts, regional courts, the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court. In the Republic of Latvia, only a court shall adjudge justice. Civil cases, criminal cases and administrative cases are examined in forty-five courts, which are divided into three levels – thirty-nine district (town) courts, five regional courts and the Supreme Court.
District (town) courts are inferior courts of the first instance. District (town) courts have jurisdiction to hear civil, criminal and administrative cases as courts of first instance.
Regional courts are appellate courts with certain jurisdiction as courts of first instance.
The Supreme Court is appellate court and the court of revision (cassation).…
