On 18 May, district (city) judges Evita Kaužēna, Lienīte Meldriņa and Renāte Vernuša gave judicial oath in front of the President of Latvia Egils Levits in a special swearing in ceremony at the Riga Castle.
Statement by the President of Latvia Egils Levits to new district justices:
‘You gave professional oath of judge today. It is an oath that says everything a judge should know. This oath, like the constitution of Latvia, Satversme, is very concise but also extremely deep, covering the whole spectrum of responsibilities bestowed upon judge.
You swore your allegiance to Latvia. Allegiance is this special bond. Pledge of allegiance was born in Germanic Law several hundreds of years after the birth of Christ and has found its way into modern law. It is a special bond for lifetime. It cannot be broken. Your allegiance to Latvia is your special bond with Latvian State. You have agreed to work for Latvian State 24/7, represent it; and Latvian State should be able to rely on you in all circumstances. There have been such cases in our history, our tragic past, when, for example, in 1940 Latvia was occupied and enemy power first turned its gaze to judges because they represent the country and one of the branches of its government.
You just swore to follow and enforce the constitution and laws of the Republic of Latvia. That is how your allegiance to Latvian State works because laws and rights determine how state works. Latvian State cannot operate without you. It cannot exist. It is your duty to help Latvia achieve its goals. You make laws operational. You make them efficient, or inefficient. Your duty, of course, is to make them efficient.
All three of you are well-experienced to serve as judges. I have no doubt you will fulfil this noble and demanding duty with highest standards in mind, so that Latvian people can rely on rule of law and justice. That is how a judge earns the respect of people.
Thank you for making this choice! It is a vital choice. The whole Latvia and its government framework relies on you as well.’
