Legal System of Latvia

Latvia is located in Europe. It is geographically situated in eastern europe, bordering the baltic sea, between estonia and lithuania. The country achieved independence on 18 november 1918 (from soviet russia); 4 may 1990 (declared from the soviet union); 6 september 1991 (recognized by the soviet union). The capital is Riga.

Government Overview

Government Type: parliamentary republic Chief of State: President Edgars RINKEVICS (since 8 July 2023) Head of Government: Prime Minister Evika SILINA (since 15 September 2023) Cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by Parliament Administrative Divisions: 36 municipalities (novadi, singular - novads) and 7 state cities (valstpilsetu pasvaldibas, singular - valstspilsetas pasvaldiba)

municipalities: Adazi, Aizkraukle, Aluksne, Augsdaugava, Balvi, Bauska, Cesis, Dienvidkurzeme, Dobele, Gulbene, Jekabpils, Jelgava, Kekava, Kraslava, Kuldiga, Limbazi, Livani, Ludza, Madona, Marupe, Ogre, Olaine, Preili, Rezekne, Ropazi, Salaspils, Saldus, Saulkrasti, Sigulda, Smiltene, Talsi, Tukums, Valka, Valmiera, Varaklani, Ventspils

cities: Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Liepaja, Rezekne, Riga, Ventspils National Holiday: Independence Day (Republic of Latvia Proclamation Day), 18 November (1918) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Latvia is described as civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: several previous (pre-1991 independence); after independence was restored in 1991, parts of the 1922 constitution were reintroduced on 4 May 1990 and fully reintroduced on 6 July 1993 Amendment Process: proposed by two thirds of Parliament members or by petition of one tenth of qualified voters submitted through the president; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of Parliament in each of three readings; amendment of constitutional articles, including national sovereignty, language, the parliamentary electoral system, and constitutional amendment procedures, requires passage in a referendum by majority vote of at least one half of the electorate

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the Senate with 36 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 judges) Judge Selection: Supreme Court judges nominated by chief justice and confirmed by the Saeima; judges serve until age 70, but term can be extended 2 years; Constitutional Court judges - 3 nominated by Saeima members, 2 by Cabinet ministers, and 2 by plenum of Supreme Court; all judges confirmed by Saeima majority vote; Constitutional Court president and vice president serve in their positions for 3 years; all judges serve 10-year terms; mandatory retirement at age 70 Subordinate Courts: district (city) and regional courts

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of unicameral

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of Latvia Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

Several eastern Baltic tribes merged in medieval times to form the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th centuries A.D.). The region subsequently came under the control of Germans, Poles, Swedes, and finally Russians. A Latvian republic emerged following World War I, but the USSR annexed it in 1940 – an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. Latvia reestablished its independence in 1991 after the breakup of the Soviet Union.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Latvia based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.