Address of the President of the Constitutional Court Aldis Laviņš at the event in honor of the centenary of The Latvian Council of Sworn Advocates
Aldis Laviņš
President of the Constitutional Court
Speech at the event in honor of the centenary of The Latvian Council of Sworn Advocates
2 June 2023
Esteemed Mr President of Latvia!
Mr President of the Supreme Court!
Highly honourable Minister for Justice!
Highly honoured Bar Association!
“An independent and impartial judiciary is one of the most important preconditions for the full and sustainable functioning of a democratic state governed by the rule of law! The effectiveness and quality of the legal assistance provided by a lawyer is guaranteed by his or her membership of the judicial system, and thus of the judiciary, which gives him or her greater powers and opportunities to defend the client’s interests! The role and tasks of an attorney-at-law are therefore of crucial importance – it is also a safeguard of the values of a democratic state governed by the rule of law!
One of these values is defending everyone’s rights in times of need! The legal composition of the first sentence of Article 92 of the Constitution consists of a single key word – “everyone”. Everyone has the right to defend his or her rights and lawful interests in a fair court. And it is you, my very honourable lawyers, who are the intermediaries that bring justice closer to everyone!
A lawyer’s role is not only to defend or represent people before the courts, but also to help the court establish the true facts of the case, to serve a fair trial and the rule of law. Lawyers are an important partner for the courts. You also lend a helping hand to us at the Constitutional Court by preparing the legal substantiation and representing both the applicant and often also the institution that issued the contested act, thus contributing to the adoption of the fairest possible ruling!
Your expertise is very important, providing numerous opinions to the Constitutional Court, each of you in your own field of specialisation. Attorneys-at-law actively engage in dialogue with the Constitutional Court not only within the framework of legal proceedings, but also by participating in think tanks and conferences organised by the Constitutional Court. Such an inclusive dialogue is one of the key factors in the development of democracy and the rule of law! That is why we are open to discuss and cooperate with you, the family of lawyers, in various formats whenever it is necessary to improve the Latvian legal system!
The Bar also provides legal aid provided by the State in the Constitutional Court proceedings! It is our common task to make this tool for protecting the fundamental rights of vulnerable people work more effectively! Respect, humility before the rule of law and each person’s individual situation is not a preference, it is our common duty!
On the occasion of the centenary of the Bar Association, I encourage our modern and progressive family of lawyers not to stop, to continue to grow and to develop the standard of protection of the rights of Latvian citizens! Together we protect every citizen! I wish the family of lawyers to raise the bar even higher and to be the closest and most valuable guarantors of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution! Thank you for your work!