Lawyers from the Constitutional Court of Moldova visit the Constitutional Court to exchange experience
From 19 to 25 October, four lawyers from the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova (hereinafter – Moldova) visited the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia to exchange experience. An intensive programme ensured the possibility to the lawyers to familiarise themselves with the work of the Constitutional Court and to study in depth the Latvian model of constitutional complaint as well as to master various methodologies used by the Constitutional Court to review the compliance of contested legal provisions with provisions of higher legal force.
President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia Ineta Ziemele and lawyers from the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova. Photo: Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia.
During the first day of the visit, the lawyers were informed about the history of the Constitutional Court and the Court’s jurisdiction. The agenda for the second day included lectures on the legal proceedings before the Constitutional Court, providing a detailed insight into the Court’s work starting from the receipt of an application at the Court until forwarding a final ruling for publication in the official journal of Latvia “Latvijas Vēstnesis”. At the conclusion of the day, the lawyers discussed topical constitutional law issues in Latvia and Moldova with the Court’s advisers and judges’ assistants.
The third day of the visit began with a lecture on the individual right to submit a constitutional complaint to the Constitutional Court. The important role of this legal institution in protecting a person’s fundamental rights in Latvia was highlighted during the lecture. A session of practical work followed, during which the lawyers analysed various examples from the case-law of the Court and assessed restrictions on fundamental rights by applying the methodology enshrined in the Constitutional Court’s judicature.
Alla Spale, Head of the Legal Department of the Constitutional Court of Latvia, with lawyers from the Constitutional Court of Moldova. Photo: Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia.
On the fourth day, the lawyers were informed about the sources of law in Latvia as well as interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, in particular in interconnection with European and international law. At the end of the day, the lawyers were given an insight into the Latvian system of courts and an explanation about the way the Constitutional Court is developing a judicial dialogue with other Latvian courts.
On the final day of the visit, the lawyers heard a lecture on drafting the rulings of the Constitutional Court. The experience exchange concluded with analysis of the tasks performed and exchange of opinions regarding the benefits that both parties had gained through this co-operation.
The training is organised and managed by Alla Spale, the Head of the Legal Department of the Constitutional Court, lectures are given also by the Court’s advisers Kristaps Tamužs and Elīna Podzorova.
The project has received financing from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia in accordance with the Development Cooperation Policy Plan of Latvia for 2019.
Another experience exchange visit is scheduled in November of this year in the framework of this project, during which four judges of the Constitutional Court of Moldova will visit the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia. The Embassy of Moldova in Latvia is also involved in the implementation of this project.
The staff of the Constitutional Court which was involved in the project and the lawyers of the Constitutional Court of Moldova on the closing day of the project. Photo: Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia.