The Judicial Ethics Commission is judicial self-government institution, which provides opinion on interpretation and violations of norms of ethics and explains norms of judicial ethics
Basis of authority
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Law “On Judicial Power”
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Regulations of the Judicial Ethics Commission– approved by the Judicial Council
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Code of Judicial Ethics – approved by the Judges’ Conference of February 2, 2021
Composition
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Composed of 10 members: five from among nominated by judges of district (city) courts, three – from among nominated by judges of regional courts, and two – from among nominated by judges of the Supreme Court
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Elected for four years at the Judges’ Conference
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Current composition:
Dace SKRAUPLE, Chair of the Commission, Judge of Zemgale Regional Court
Adrija KASAKOVSKA, deputy Chair of the Commission, Judge of Zemgale District Court
Iveta ANDŽĀNE, Judge of Zemagle District Court
Madara ĀBELE, Judge of Riga Regional Court
Aija JERMACĀNE, Judge of Rezekne Court
Anda KRAUKLE, Riga City Latgale District Court
Baiba LIELPĒTERE, Judge of Vidzeme District Court
Lauma PAEGĻKALNA, Judge of Administrative Regional Court
Inese LAURA ZEMĪTE, Judge of the Department of Criminal Cases of the Supreme Court
Functions of the Judicial Ethics Commission
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Upon request of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Chairs of courts, the Minister of Justice, the Judicial Disciplinary Committee or the Disciplinary Court, provides opinion regarding interpretation and violations of norms of ethics
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Evaluates a possible gross violation of the provisions of the Code of Judicial Ethics in connection with the commission of an administrative violation
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Upon its own initiative or at the request of judges explains and analyses norms of the Code of Judicial Ethics and consults judges on issues related to judicial ethics
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Compiles and prepares for publication conclusions and explanations on interpretation and application of norms of ethics
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Discusses violations of norms of ethics
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Elaborates norms of the Code of Judicial Ethics and submits them for approval at the Judges’ Conference
Decisions
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The Judicial Ethics Commission may decide on initiation of a disciplinary case
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Opinions of the Judicial Ethics Commission may not be appealed
Accessibility of information
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Sittings of the Commission are open. With permission of the Commission, having received consent of a judge, whose possible violation of norms of ethics will be reviewed, and of filer of a request, individuals present may fix course of a sitting using audio or video equipment
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Upon motivated request of a person entitled to participate in the sitting or proposal of the Commission’s member, the issue may be reviewed in the closed sitting
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Conclusions and explanations by the Judicial Ethics’ Commission regarding interpretation and explanation of norms of ethics are published on courts’ website
More information on Judicial Ethics Commission
- www.tiesas.lv (information available in Latvian language only) – section Courts/ Judicial Ethics’ Commission: Compositions of the Commission; Legal provisions; Explanations, opinions and decisions
Communication with the Commission
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E-mail of the Commission: etikaskomisija@ta.gov.lv
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Court Administration: Ināra Makarova, Public relations specialist: +371 26447901, inara.makarova@ta.gov.lv