The mandate of Justices of the Constitutional Court Uldis Ķinis and Kaspars Balodis expires
Today, on 31 March, the mandate of Justices of the Constitutional Court Uldis Ķinis and Kaspars Balodis expires. During their term in office the Justices have participated in preparing at least 250 rulings of the Constitutional Court on constitutional issues relevant for Latvia and have made major contribution to the development of the legal system.
Uldis Ķinis entered the office of the Justice of the Constitutional Court on 5 January 2007. Uldis Ķinis is a doctor of law and Associate Professor at Riga Stradins University. He is the author of four books and more than 30 publications on criminal law issues, inter alia, on cybercrime. From 10 March 2008 to 15 April 2011 he served as ad litem Judge in adjudication of the case “Prosecutor v. Ante Gotovina et al” at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. Moreover, Uldis Ķinis was elected Vice-president of the Constitutional Court three times.
In 2016 Uldis Ķinis was decorated with the 1st Degree Badge of Honour of the Justice System, which is awarded for outstanding contribution to the development of the legal system of the Republic of Latvia, reinforcing the rule of law in Latvia and the world.
Kaspars Balodis entered the office of the Justice of the Constitutional Court on 31 January 2007. Kaspars Balodis is a doctor of law and Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Latvia. He is the co-author of commentaries on the Civil Law and the Satversme, as well as of the book “Introduction to Civil Law”. Kaspars Balodis has also written other publications on issues of civil law, as well as on implementation of fundamental human rights enshrined in the Satversme. While working at the Constitutional Court, Kaspars Balodis has written the greatest number of separate opinions about judgements of the Constitutional Court.
In 2016 Kaspars Balodis was decorated with the 2nd Degree Badge of Honour of the Justice System, which is awarded for particularly significant contribution to the development of the legal system, reinforcing democracy and the rule of law; for particularly important achievements in researching the legal system; for particularly important contribution to the development and implementation of the policy of the justice system, development of international relationships, development of judicature and promoting knowledge and professionalism of officials belonging to the judicial system; for important long-term or life-time contribution to the legal science.
On 22 December 2016, the Saeima appointed Jānis Neimanis and Artūrs Kučs to the office of the Justice of the Constitutional Court. Prior to being appointed to the office of the Justice of the Constitutional Court Jānis Neimanis served as the Judge of the Supreme Court, therefore he is not required to give the judge’s solemn oath repeatedly, and he will enter the office of the Justice of Constitutional Court on Monday, the 3rd of April.
Artūrs Kučs, in turn, will enter the office of the Justice of the Constitutional Court after giving the solemn oath to the President of the State.