On 1 September this year, the next selection of candidates for the post of judges will be announced, the aim of which is to strengthen the Latvian judicial system and ensure its quality in the long term. The selection will be based on a new approach, with the possibility to apply for a specific initial specialisation – in criminal, civil or administrative law.
The efficiency of the judicial system is largely determined by the human resources available - both in terms of the number of judges and judges’ professional training and ability to perform their duties effectively. At the Latvian Judges Conference, which took place on 16 May, Aigars Strupišs, President of the Judicial Council and the Supreme Court, said, "If I had to name some of the most burning problems, it would certainly be the lack of candidates for judicial office with specialisation in adjudication of criminal cases. This is closely linked to the abolition of the Police Academy, as well as the level of quality of legal education in general."
A. Strupišs points out that the issues of professional training of young lawyers and their motivation to choose a judicial career are becoming topical. It is not possible to provide a sufficient number of highly qualified candidates. The talented young lawyers attracted so far are not sufficient for the sustainable development of the judicial system.
The selection procedure for judicial candidates must ensure that they meet the standards defined by the judiciary. The Selection Commission carefully assesses the candidates' professional knowledge and the competences required to be a judge. "The selection procedure of judicial candidates is a quality filter. The quality of the Latvian judicial system in the next two generations is dependent upon it," emphasises A. Strupišs.
The new approach to judicial selection will allow candidates to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in their current specialisation, such as criminal or civil law. This means that candidates will participate in the selection procedure by choosing one specific initial specialisation. However, if confirmed as a judge of a court of general jurisdiction, the candidate will be required to undergo additional training in a field of law other than his/her initial specialisation in order to ensure comprehensive professional preparation for judicial work. In the future, it is planned to improve the selection procedure by integrating training developed by the Academy of Justice, including training in a work environment, in order to prepare candidates for judicial work in a targeted manner.
The judicial office is one of the most prestigious and responsible legal position, considered to be the highest stage of a legal career. It is an opportunity to ensure justice, to take decisions of importance to society and to make a significant contribution to strengthening the rule of law and democracy in Latvia. The work of a judge requires a high level of professional training, clarity of values and a willingness to make courageous decisions independently and impartially. Therefore, the Judicial Council invites lawyers to continue their professional development as judges and to apply for the selection of candidates for judicial office, which will be announced on 1 September.
The selection announcement will be published in the official gazette "Latvijas Vēstnesis", on the website of the Judicial Council www.tieslietupadome.lv in the section "Tiesnešu atlase" (selection of judges), on the Latvian courts’ portal www.tiesas.lv.
More detailed information on the selection procedure is available on the Judicial Council's website in the section "Tiesnešu atlase".