Genesis of Administrative Justice and Administrative Procedure in Latvia

Abstract

In 2021, the administrative courts of Latvia celebrated two significant anniversaries. The first was one hundred years since the adoption of the Act on Administrative Courts, which was the beginning of administrative justice in Latvia. The second significant anniversary – 20 years ago a modern Administrative Procedure Act was adopted and separate administrative courts were established. This article aims to describe the genesis of administrative justice in Latvia during the Interwar Period and after the restoration of Latvia’s independence in 1991. Administrative justice a hundred years ago and now is an instrument that ensures the observance of fundamental principles of democracy and the rule of law. Thus, the present day connects us with the time 100 years ago. At the same time, it should be acknowledged that the assessment of the regulation of administrative procedure, as well as the organization of administrative justice, in Latvia, differ significantly between then and now. The article analyses the reasons why the 1921 Act on Administrative Courts was considered outdated and incomplete as it approached its twentieth anniversary, while the current Administrative Procedure Act, celebrating its twentieth anniversary, is considered to be of a success story. The article also examines the challenges that characteriz administrative justice in the Interwar Period and nowadays, looking for commonalities and differences. The article uses both interwar and contemporary legal sources. The article uses analytical and historical research methods. The article can serve as a source of information for further comparative studies on the genesis of administrative justice in the region.