Legal representation reform in Latvia: Civil, Criminal, and Administrative perspectives

Abstract

This thesis examines the legal framework of authorised representation in Latvia, focusing on civil, criminal, administrative offence, and administrative proceedings. The study analyses the current restrictions on representation, exploring their alignment with constitutional rights and comparing them to legal systems in other jurisdictions, such as Sweden, Finland and Germany. The research highlights the necessity of a balanced approach that ensures qualified legal assistance while maintaining accessibility for individuals unable to secure professional sworn advocates. By evaluating Latvian procedural laws and case law, this thesis identifies potential improvements, such as expanding the scope of representation in civil and administrative cases and introducing judicial discretion to allow regular representatives which are non-sworn advocates in criminal cases under specific conditions, at the same time established additional safety measures in the EU legal acts. The findings contribute to the ongoing debate on improving access to justice and ensuring fairness in legal representation.