Judgment Reviews Law at Latvia
Latvia's legal system incorporates judicial review through its Constitutional Court, which serves as the guardian of the Constitution (Satversme) by ensuring that laws and other legal norms comply with constitutional principles.
⚖️ Constitutional Court of Latvia
Role and Jurisdiction
Established under Article 85 of the Satversme, the Constitutional Court is an independent institution vested with the authority to:
Assess the constitutionality of laws and other regulatory enactments.
Review the compliance of legal provisions with higher legal norms.
Interpret constitutional provisions in specific legal contexts.
The Court's decisions are binding and cannot be appealed. Its rulings have erga omnes effect, meaning they apply universally to all individuals and institutions within Latvia
Accessing the Court
Individuals or entities who believe that a legal norm applied in their case is incompatible with the Constitution can submit a constitutional complaint to the Court. This must be done within six months after the final ruling by a national institution
🧾 Judicial Review in Practice
Recent Cases
Minimum Income Threshold:In October 2023, the Constitutional Court declared certain provisions establishing a minimum income threshold unconstitutional, following a complaint from former Saeima deputiesThe Court found that the norms violated constitutional rights related to social welfare
Language of Instruction in Schools:In July 2024, the Court upheld a law converting Russian-language schools to Latvian, affirming that the decision was valid under the country's legal framework and international commitments
📌 Key Takeaways
Constitutional Overight The Constitutional Court ensures that laws and legal norms align with the principles of the Satversm.
Binding Decisions Individuals can challenge the constitutionality of legal provisions through constitutional complaints, subject to specific procedural requirement.
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