A judge who has been carrying out judicial duties in good faith and has retired from the office of a judge may be awarded a title of Judge Emeritus by the Judicial Council (until 2018 – by the Saeima upon the recommendation of the Judicial Council, even more previously – upon the recommendation of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or the Minister of Justice).
The first titles of the Judge Emeritus were granted in 2009. By 2021, this title has been granted to sixteen former judges.
Māra Marija Čerkasova
Former judge of Riga Regional Court
The title of the Judge Emeritus was granted on 12 March 2009
Ms. Čerkasova had been the judge of Riga regional court since its creation in 1995 until 2008. Previously, she had worked in the prosecutor’s office for twenty four years.
Kārlis Valdemiers
Former Chair of Latgale Regional Court
The title of the Judge Emeritus was granted on 17 December 2009
Mr. Valdemiers had been the Chair of Latgale regional court since its creation in 1995 until 2009. Previously, he had been the Chair of Rezekne city court for nineteen years. He was awarded with the Order of Three Stars of the Third Class in 2009.
Roberts Lazdāns
Former judge of Kurzeme Regional Court
The title of the Judge Emeritus was granted on 21 January 2010
Mr. Lazdāns had been the judge of Kurzeme regional court between 1996 and 2009; he had also been the Chair of the Judicial Panel of Criminal Cases of the regional court and the Vice-Chair of the regional court. Previously, he had worked in prosecutor’s office for twenty-seven years.
Aiva Zariņa
Former judge of the Chamber of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court
The title of the Judge Emeritus was granted on 17 March 2011
Ms. Zariņa had been the judge of the Chamber of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court between 1995 and 2011. Previously, she had been judge of Riga city Central (Kirov) district court for thirty years, inter alia, she was the Chair of the court for twenty five years. Ms. Zarina was awarded with the Order of Three Stars of the Fourth Class – in 2011 and with the Mark of Distinction of Judicial System of the Third Class in 2008.
Pāvels Gruziņš
Former chair of the Department of Criminal Cases of the Supreme Court
The title of the Judge Emeritus was granted on the 12 May 2011
Mr. Gruziņš had been the Chair of the Department of Criminal Cases of the Senate of the Supreme Court since creation of the Senate in 1995 until 2011. He began working as a judge of the Supreme Court in 1986, and in 1990 he was elected for the post of the Chair of Judicial Panel of Criminal Cases. Between 1990 and 2011 he had also been the Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Previously, he had been the judge of Riga city Moscow district court and the Chair of Limbazi district court. Mr.Gruzins was awarded with the Order of Three Stars of the Third Class in 2011 and with the Mark of Distinction of Judicial System of the First Class - in 2008.
Valda Eilande
Former judge of the Department of Criminal Cases of the Senate of the Supreme Court
The judge was granted the title of the Judge Emeritus on 12 September 2013
Mrs.Valda Eilande had been the senator of the Department of Criminal Cases of the Senate of the Supreme Court from 2000 until 2009, being the judge of the Supreme Court since 1990. Previously – the judge of Riga city Moscow district People’s court, and had worked in Prosecutor’s Office for 17 years. Since 1994, she had been re-elected to the office of a member of the Central Election Committee among judges for five times, had been secretary of the Plenary Session of the Supreme Court for ten years, and member of the Judicial Disciplinary Committee – for ten years. Mrs.Eilande had been former deputy President of Latvian Association of Judges, the Chair of the Council of Latvian Judicial Training Centre. In 2008, the judge was awarded with Mark of Distinction of Judicial System of the Second Class, in 2006 – with Award Diploma of the Ministry of Justice of the First Class. Received the Supreme Court Themis Award in category “Judge of the Year-2008”.
Rolands Krauze
Former judge of the Department of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court
The judge was granted the title of the Judge Emeritus on 12 September 2013
Mr. Rolands Krauze had been the senator of the Department of Civil Cases of the Senate of the Supreme Court from 1995 until 2005. Previously – the judge of the Supreme Court between 1962 and 1976 and in 1994, in the meantime - the senior lecturer and associate professor of the Department of Civil Law of the Faculty of Law of the State University of Latvia and sworn advocate. After retirement, from 2005 until 2009 he had been advisor to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in issues related to application of law, the Head of the Division of Complaints, and advisor in the Department of Civil Cases of the Senate. Mr. Krauze has been one of leading Latvian specialists in residential and succession law. He is author of tens of publications, comments on the chapter of succession rights of the Civil Law, the law “On Rent of Living Accommodation” and extensive studies on succession law in Latvia. Awarded with Cross of Recognition, Award Diploma of the Ministry of Justice of the First Class and Award Diploma of the Cabinet of Ministers. Received premium of August Loeber Foundation for publications on legal issues and Award of the Cabinet of Ministers for development of comments to the Civil Law. Received the Supreme Court Themis Award in nomination “Person of the Year-2005”.
Roberts Guntis Namatēvs
Former judge of the Department of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court
The judge was granted the title of the Judge Emeritus on 12 September 2013
Mr. Roberts Guntis Namatēvs had been the senator of the Department of Civil Cases of the Senate of the Supreme Court from 1995 until 2008. Previously, he had been the judge of the Supreme Court from 1976 until 1995 and the judge and the Chair of Riga district court. Mr. Namatēvs had been the Chair of the Judicial Qualification Committee of the Supreme Court, former lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the University of Latvia. Awarded with the Order of Three Stars of the Fourth Class, Award Diploma of the Ministry of Justice of the First Class and Award Diploma of the Cabinet of Ministers. Received the Supreme Court Themis Award in nomination “Person of the Year-2007”.
Rita Saulīte
Former judge of the Department of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court
The judge was granted the title of the Judge Emeritus on 12 September 2013
Mrs. Rita Saulīte had been the senator of the Department of Civil Cases of the Senate from 1995 until 2008. Previously, from 1985 until 1995 she had been the judge of the Supreme Court, the judge of Bauska district People’s court, the Head of chancery and advisor in the Supreme Court. She had worked in group on drafting of the Civil Procedure Law, and has been reviewer of comments on chapter of property law of the Civil Law and co-author of comments on the Civil Procedure Law. Awarded with Mark of Distinction of Judicial System of the Third Class.
Ināra Šteinerte
Former judge of Riga Regional Court
The judge was granted the title of the Judge Emeritus on 12 September 2013
Mrs. Ināra Šteinerte had been the judge of Riga regional court from creation of the regional court in 1995 until 2013. Previously, she had held the office of a judge of a district court since 1976.
In December 2013, the Presidium of the Saeima (the Parliament) asked the Honoured Judge I. Šteinerte to represent the Saeima in social committee on assessment of circumstances and results of tragedy in Riga city suburb of Zolitūde of 21 November. “I. Šteinerte is undeniably experienced judge, who, during her career, adjudicated several difficult cases, which were important for society, thus gaining also great trust of society”, Solvita Āboltina, the Speaker of the Saeima characterizes representative promoted by the Saeima.
Gunārs Aigars
Former judge of the Supreme Court
The title of the Judge Emeritus was granted on 4 December 2014
The judge of the Supreme Court in 1990–2014, the Chair of the Chamber of Civil Cases since its establishment in 1995. Had been the deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for nineteen years, and the Chair of the Judicial Qualification Committee – for fifteen years. Before work in the Supreme Court, had been the judge of Liepāja court and the Chair of the same court in 1967–1990. Co-acted in group on elaboration of the law “On Judicial Power” and the Civil Procedure Law. The co-author of comments on the Civil Procedure Law in 2006, 2011 and 2012. Awarded with the Cross of Recognition, the Mark of Distinction of the System of Justice of the 1st rank. Received the Themis Award of the Supreme Court in nomination “The Person of the Year-2009”.
Astrida Herta Berzina
Former chair of Kurzeme Regional Court
The title of the Judge Emeritus was granted on 4 December 2014
The judge and the Chair of Kurzeme regional court since foundation of the regional court in 1995 until retirement in 2005. Previously, was the judge of Liepaja court for 17 years, in 1989-1995 – the Chair of Liepaja court. Awarded with the Award Diploma of the Ministry of Justice of the 1st rank and “golden feather”.
Kalvis Torgans
Former judge of the Department of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court
Title of the Judge Emeritus was granted on 5 March 2015
The judge of the Department of Civil Cases of the Supreme Court in 2008-2014. Habilitated Doctor of Law, one of the most famous Latvian legal scientists in civil law and civil procedure law. Since 1962, has worked at the Faculty of Law of the University of Latvia, had been the Dean of the faculty, the Head of the Department of Civil Law. The Chair of the Professors’ Council of Law of the University of Latvia. Current member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences.
The author of more than 35 books and 250 scientific publications. Commentaries to the Civil Procedure Law in two parts were published under scientific editorship of K.Torgans, the most recent books include “Problems of contractual and tort law” published in 2013 and “Liability law” - in 2014. He co-operated actively in legislative processes, participating in work teams on draft laws and in sittings of the Legal Affairs Committee.
Awarded with the Order of Three Stars of 3rd rank in 2009, and the Mark of Distinction of Justice System of I rank in 2008; Award and Diploma of the Cabinet of Ministers – in 2005; the Diploma of the Latvian Academy of Sciences and silver Insignia of the University of Latvia – in 2004. Received Prize of the senator August Loeber in 1994 and Award of Dietrich Loeber of the Latvian Academy of Sciences in 2009. In 2011, received the Annual Award in Science of the University of Latvia for establishment of scientific school in civil law. Received Themis Award of the Supreme Court in nomination “The Person of the Year - 2013”.
Inta Jekabsone
Former judge of the Civil Chamber of Riga Regional Court
The title of Judge Emeritus was granted on 12 November 2018
Judge of the Chamber of Civil Cases of Riga Regional Court in 1995–2018.
Prior to that, Ms. Jekabsone had been a judge in the Lenin District People's Court of Riga and the Riga City Northern District Court, a specialist at the Ministry of Justice, the head of the Legal Department and the head of personnel department in the company.
Valerijans Jonikans
Former judge of the Supreme Court
The title of Judge Emeritus was granted on 29 January 2021
Mr. Valerijans Jonikans had been a judge of the Supreme Court from 1987 to 1993 and from 1999 to 2019.
Prior to joining the Supreme Court, he had been a judge and chairman of district courts in Bauska, Talsi and Daugavpils. While not serving as a judge, he worked as a legal advisor and as a sworn advocate. In 1999 he returned to the Supreme Court’s Chamber of Civil Cases. He is the founder of administrative law in Latvia – he was the founder and the first chairman of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Senate from 2003 to 2007. Then the chairman and senator of the Department of Civil Cases.
Mr. Jonikans had participated in the working group for the development of the draft of Ombudsman Law and in the working group for ensuring the commencement of the activities of administrative courts. He is the co-author of the second part of the comments on the Civil Procedure Law in the scientific edition of Mr. Kalvis Torgans. He was a member of the Judicial Disciplinary Committee, a lecturer at the Latvian Judicial Training Centre.
In 2017, he was awarded the Order of the Three Stars of the 4th Class. He received the Honorary Badge of the Judicial System of the 2nd Degree and the Certificate of Recognition from the Ministry of Justice of the 1st Degree. He has also received the Supreme Court's Themis Award in the nomination "Judge of the Year - 2007" and the Special Themis Award in 2015.
Edite Vernusa
Former judge of the Supreme Court
The title of Judge Emeritus was granted on 29 January 2021
The judge of the Supreme Court in 1999–2020. From 1999, the judge of the Chamber of Civil Cases. Since 2004, the senator of the Department of Administrative Cases of the Senate. Since 2005, the senator of the Department of Civil Cases of the Senate. 2015–2018 the chair of the Department.
Prior to that, Mrs. Vernusa had been a legal adviser for 13 years, the head of the personnel department, and a judge for nine years in the Riga City Centre District Court and in the Chamber of the Civil Cases of Riga Regional Court.
She had been a permanent member of the Working Group for the Improvement of Civil Procedure.
Book: Comments on the Civil Procedure Law (co-author).
Awards: Order of the Three Stars, Honorary Badge of the Judicial System, Supreme Court Themis Award in the nomination "Judge of the Year" and Special Themis Award.
Mārīte Zāģere
Former judge of the Supreme Court
The title of the Judge Emeritus was granted on 12 November 2021
Ms. Zāģere had been a judge of the Supreme Court from 1990 until 2021. As from the creation of the Senate in 1995, she had been a senator of the Department of Civil Cases.
Before the work in the Supreme Court, she had been working for eight years in Riga District Court and in Riga City Proletarian District Court, as well as she had been a judge in Riga City Proletarian District People’s Court for seven years.
She had been a member and a chair of Disciplinary Court.
Awards: Order of the Three Stars, Honorary Badge of the Judicial System, Supreme Court Themis Award in the nomination "Judge of the Year".