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Strong and independent Constitutional Court is an indispensable element in the development of Latvia as a democratic state governed by the rule of law. The Constitutional Court, being the guardian of the Satversme, defends the fundamental values and freedoms of all individuals in Latvia.

The judicial power protects justice as one of the fundamental values of a state governed by the rule of law and acts in society’s interests. (The Constitutional Court’s Judgement of 12 November 2015 in Case No. 2015-06-01, Para 11.1.)

The Constitutional Court’s task is to ensure, in line with its competence, the existence of such legal system, in which, as fully and comprehensibly as possible, a regulation that is incompatible with the Satversme or legal norms (acts) of higher legal force would be eliminated, as well as to provide its assessment on constitutionally important matters. (The Constitutional Court’s Judgement of 7 April 2009 in Case No. 2008-35-01, Para 11.2.)

The Preamble to the Satversme provides that the State of Latvia was established to ensure freedom and promote welfare of the people of Latvia and each individual. Thus, one of the State’s tasks is to promote the welfare of Latvia’s society. To this end, democratic state order has been created in Latvia. The most effective exercise of human rights and freedoms is possible in the conditions of democracy. (The Constitutional Court’s Judgement of 2 July 2015 in Case No. 2015-01-01, Para 15.1.)

Human dignity and the value of each individual is the substance of human rights. Therefore, in a democratic state governed by the rule of law, both the legislator, in adopting legal norms, and the party applying the legal norms, in the application thereof, must respect human dignity. (The Constitutional Court’s Judgement of 19 December 2017 in Case No. 2017-02-03, Para 19.1.)


News

17.11.2023.

Case brought before the Constitutional Court regarding the provision denying the right for a defence counsel to sign a complaint addressed to a court in an administrative offence case

A case regarding compliance of Section 185, Paragraph four of the Law on Administrative Liability with the fourth sentence of Article 92 of the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia has been brought before the Constitutional Court. The contested provision stipulates that a complaint addressed to a court against a decision in an administrative offence case shall […]

08.11.2023.

The Constitutional Court of Latvia terminates legal proceedings in the case on the norm which denies the right to old-age pension to those persons whose permanent place of residence is not in Latvia

On 7 November 2023, the Constitutional Court of Latvia adopted a decision on termination of legal proceedings in a case contesting a norm which denies the right to old-age pension to those persons whose permanent place of residence at the time of applying for the pension is not in the territory of Latvia. Case No. […]

26.10.2023.

President of the Constitutional Court of Latvia Aldis Laviņš attends the international conference in Kosovo and emphasises the importance of constitutional identity of countries in safeguarding democracy and the rule of law in Europe

From 22 to 25 October, the President of the Constitutional Court of Latvia Aldis Laviņš and Adviser to the President Andrejs Stupins participated in the conference “The Contribution of Constitutional Courts in Protecting and Strengthening Fundamental Values of Democracy, Rule of Law, and Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms” organised by the Constitutional Court of the Republic […]

23.10.2023.

New episode of the “Tversme” podcast with the President of European Court of Human Rights Siofra O’Leary

Today the Constitutional Court of Latvia publishes the thirteenth episode of the “Tversme” podcast where President of the Constitutional Court of Latvia Aldis Laviņš and President of European Court of Human Rights Siofra O’Leary are discussing challenges faced by the European Court of Human Rights, significance of judicial dialogue and bringing justice to everyone. Episode […]

06.10.2023.

Minimum income threshold and its review procedures are unconstitutional

On 5 October, the Constitutional Court recognised the norms which establish the minimum income threshold and its review procedures as incompatible with Articles 1 and 109 of the Constitution. The case was brought before the Constitutional Court on the basis of an application submitted by twenty members of the Saeima. It challenges the legal norms […]

26.09.2023.

Annual Report 2022

Report on the work of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia in 2022.

21.09.2023.

VIDEO: International conference on execution of judgements of the European Court of Human Rights organised by the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of Latvia

Today, live streaming of the international conference “The Role of the Judiciary in Execution of Judgements of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR)”, organised the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia with a view to strengthening the shared values within the European legal area and the dialogue between European […]

20.09.2023.

Live streaming of the conference on execution of judgements of the European Court of Human Rights, organised by the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of Latvia, on 21 September from 9:30

Tomorrow, on 21 September, live streaming of the international conference “The Role of the Judiciary in Execution of Judgements of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR)”, organised the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia with a view to strengthening the shared values within the European legal area and the […]

14.09.2023.

International conference on execution of judgements of the European Court of Human Rights organised by the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of Latvia

On 21 September, the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia are organising an international conference “The Role of the Judiciary in Execution of Judgements of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR)” with a view to strengthening the shared values within the European legal area and the dialogue between European courts. […]

05.09.2023.

President of the Constitutional Court of Latvia Aldis Laviņš stresses the importance of balancing the constitutional identity of the country and the rights of the European Union at an international conference in The Hague

On 31 August and 1 September 2023, President of the Constitutional Court of Latvia Aldis Laviņš and Adviser to the President Andrejs Stupins participated in the international conference “EUnited in diversity II: The Rule of Law and Constitutional Diversity” organised by the Court of Justice of the European Union, the Constitutional Court of Belgium, the Constitutional Court […]

28.08.2023.

A case has been initiated regarding the rules governing the management and protection of greenery on privately owned land in Jūrmala

A case has been brought before the Constitutional Court “On Compliance of Paragraph 3 of the Jūrmala City Council Binding Regulation No. 46 of 22 November 2012 “Management and Protection of Jūrmala City Greenery” with Article 105 of the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia”. The applicant requested the Constitutional Court to declare Paragraph 3 […]